Summary
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Basin Region, Blythe Hydrographic Team located in Blythe, CA Rate of Pay GS-05 - $47,490 - $61,738 GS-06 - $52,938 - $68,819 Pay may vary based on grade level for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, and shift work. You will be required to work overtime.
Responsibilities
At the full performance level (GS-10) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Gathers hydrologic data concerning the quantity, quality, availability, movement, and distribution of water. The employee is assigned full responsibility for specific river, canal, pipeline/penstock, and drain acoustic Doppler velocity metering (ADVM) stations. Makes discharge measurements utilizing various devices depending upon the depth and velocity of the stream, channel profiles, and vertical velocity profiles at the assigned stations and monitors performance, accuracy, and appearance of any mechanical and/or electronic recording devices including gauging station structures and surrounding areas. Takes suspended sediment, bed load, and water quality samples at designated gauging stations, prepares samples for shipment or delivery to laboratories for further testing, and analyzes and tracks laboratory results for trends and unusual results. Performs a variety of computations and analysis of water resource data to prepare the data for interpretive use or inclusion in reports. Compiles data and prepares computer graphics and charts. Compiles meter measurements and develops stage-discharge curves by plotting discharge rates on a timeline and logarithm graph and/or through various forms of regression analysis. Develops residual plots when analyzing relationships for correlation to other measurable factors. Inputs data on discharge measurements, shift adjustments, and changes to rating tables via computer into the variety of software programs utilized for the operations database and for analysis and reporting purposes. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Physical Demands: Field work regularly requires performing duties independently and include frequent strenuous physical exertion to inspect on-going operations, including walking over rough, rocky, and uneven terrain and around swift water, climbing up steep and loose footed river embankments gage ladders and cable way platforms, lifting and carrying heavy and sensitive equipment in excess of 50 pounds and supplies and wading streams in all types of weather. Occasionally, the incumbent is faced with irate individuals of the general public and potentially dangerous wildlife in which care must be taken to avoid confrontation. Work Environment: The work regularly involves high risk associated with independently collecting hydrologic data in rapidly changing uncontrollable conditions including high traffic marine environments, operation of motorboats, climbing A-frames or steep irregular wet stream banks, working from single cable suspension cable cars and working around or in swift water environments in adverse weather or flood conditions. Work often requires the use of special clothing or gear such as masks, bug nets, coats, boots, goggles, respirators, leathers, waders, snake gaiters, and life jackets. Extreme weather includes highs of up to 120 degrees with humidity in the summer and freezing weather in the winter.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications at each grade level: To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level: Specialized Experience: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience assisting fellow technicians with the following tasks: monthly site visits for the purposes of calibrating and downloading gaging stations; performing discharge measurements; collecting and preparing water samples for shipment; and performing basic record computations and reporting functions. Follows job hazard analysis for assigned tasks. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- Education: Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with (a) major study in an appropriate field of science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics. You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination of education and experience. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. For example, I have 6 months of the specialized experience described in 1A above (50% of the experience requirement), and 3 years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying. You must include hours per week and transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level: Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience which includes: independently performs monthly site visits for the purposes of calibrating, downloading, and performing minor repairs to gaging stations; performing Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) discharge measurements in standard environments; running rod for vertical stability surveys; assisting with the development of station corrections, computations, records, and analysis. Participates in the development of job hazard analysis for assigned tasks. You must include hours per week worked. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You must pass a physical examination. You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC). You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. Subject to a 1-year probationary period. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
If using education to qualify for the GS-05 grade level, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification