Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
Supervisory Hydrologist (Snow Survey Data Collection Officer)
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
NRCS-25-12591042-ST-MT-AB Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, October 31, 2024 to Thursday, November 14, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration. (limit characters)
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
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4.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

 For more information, review USAJOBS Help Center Military Spouses 
 
(limit characters)
5. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee? (limit characters)
6. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
7. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
8.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
9.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,

• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,

• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
(limit characters)
10.
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

 For more information, review  Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
 
-OR-
 
 Are you a current:

• Postal Career Service Employee;

• Postal Rate Commission Employee;

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
 
 
(limit characters)
11. Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,

Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension?  OR,

 Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
(limit characters)
12.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
13. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
14.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
15.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND  

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
16.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application. Any experience claimed in your responses MUST be supported by information in your application. This information must be SPECIFIC, (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating. (limit characters)
1. Select the response that best describes your education and experience that meets the basic qualifications for the Hydrology Series, 1315.
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2. In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement, you must also meet specialized experience requirements. From the choices shown below, which response corresponds to the level of specialized experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Hydrologist, GS-1315 at the GS-13 grade level. Your resume must contain evidence to support your responses. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Ensure hydrometeorological data observations are conducted in a timely manner. (limit characters)
4. Plan and implement hydrometeorological tests when existing procedures do not supply results that are sufficiently accurate and usable. (limit characters)
5. Apply knowledge of weather station data collection systems and associated electronic data collection to ensure data observations are accurate. (limit characters)
6. Ensure that data collection sites meet service standards. (limit characters)
7. Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies. (limit characters)
8. Maintain automated snow course, streamflow, precipitation, and reservoir data files.
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9. Conduct scientific hydrometeorological investigations to ensure that accurate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
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10. Conduct research to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
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11. Provide forecasts and other interpretations of water supply.
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12. Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting.
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13. Communicate information used to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
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14. Convey the significance of forecasts to a general audience and the media in a concise and direct manner.
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15. Interpret and present hydrologic data in an unbiased format that can be understood by a broad spectrum of water users.
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16. Respond to media requests for information by providing live and taped interviews.
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17. Maintain working relationships with Federal, State, County, local agencies and water users.
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18. Prepare reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
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19. Disseminate water supply reports, news releases, and other information activities relating to a snow survey program.
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20. Provide technical data on snow surveys and water supply forecasts to program officials, water users, and/or news media.
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21. Represent the agency in dealing with controversial water supply issues.
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22. Inform water users of the availability and forecasts of snow survey data.
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23. Determine types of occupational positions to be established to meet organizational staffing needs.
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24. Interview applicants to make selections for vacant positions within the organization.
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25. Advise and counsel employees on work and administrative matters.
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26. Conduct position and/or personnel management surveys to ensure efficient and economical position structures within an organization.
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27. Evaluate employees' performance to identify developmental or training needs.
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28. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.
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