Hydrologist

Duties The incumbent will serve as Hydrologist.
As a Hydrologist you will perform the following duties: Provide technical and administrative oversight for the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) hydrologic service program(s) and service activities in a geographically and/or organizationally complex support area.
Develop and modify WFO hydrologic procedures, models, techniques, manuals, and dissemination plans to ensure optimal use of technologies and real-time data.
Initiate and maintain liaison activities and cooperative support operations with state emergency management and water resources officials located in one or more state capital areas and a geographically or organizationally diverse group of other offices inside and/or outside the National Weather Service (NWS).
Modify and enhance the operational hydrologic procedures and hydrologic training program for all WFO forecasters.
Duties described are performed independently at the GS-13 levels.
All duties performed at the GS-12 level are intended to prepare for the full performance level of this position.
Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Must be a U.
S.
Citizen.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
More requirements are listed under Qualification and Other Information.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.
sss.
gov).
A one year probationary period may be required.
Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
This position is covered by (1538).
A background investigation will be required for this position.
Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.
Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.
S.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.
This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.
opm.
gov/policy.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified.
Transcripts must be submitted with your application package.
You MUST meet the following requirements: A.
Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources.
The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics.
Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
OR B.
Combination of education and experience: course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
This experience need not have been in the federal government.
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.
To qualify for the GS-13: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Developing hydrologic plans, programs, or precedents for a designated support areas; Defining procedures for using models, manuals, and plans with forecasting; and, Representing the agency before varying public bodies on topics that are noncontroversial in nature.
To qualify for the GS-12: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service.
Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Supporting hydrologic plans, programs, or precedents for assigned areas; Utilizing procedures for using models, manuals, and plans with forecasting; and, Assisting with representing the agency before varying public bodies on topics that are noncontroversial in nature.
Education Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements.
You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.
Education.
If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.
S.
colleges and universities.
Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.
A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website.
You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.
Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.
Additional information Well-qualified for CTAP and ICTAP eligibility includes those candidates who have been determined to exceed minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85, but otherwise may or may not be among the highly or best-qualified candidates.
Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.
opm.
gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
NOAA participates in e-Verify.
E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
The Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories.
The categories are "gold", "silver" and "bronze".
However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.
Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response: Customer Service, Hydrology, Organizational Awareness, and Teaches Others How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed.
Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.
Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position.
The quality categories re Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position.
If you are eligible, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality category described above.
Your responses must be substantiated by your resume.
If you do not respond to the application questions you may be rated ineligible.
Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.
If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible and/or not qualified.
To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.
usastaffing.
gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12352153 Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose, for each work experience at a minimum, your resume must include; job title(s) (including job series and grade, if federal); description of duties or work performed; education; starting and ending dates (month and year); and hours worked per week and/or full-time or part-time.
If identifying as part-time you must state the number of hours per week.
(NOTE: A full-time work schedule requires most employees to work 33-40 hours during the work week.
A part-time schedule requires an employee to work less than full-time, but for a specific number of hours (usually 16-32 hours per administrative work week) on a prearranged scheduled tour of duty.
) Veteran's documentation: If you are requesting consideration under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA) you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.
e.
, statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service) and/or any other required supporting documents (VA Letter).
https://www.
opm.
gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.
asp#VeteransEmploymentAct1998.
Active Duty Service Members: You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes.
Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation.
If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc.
, you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures.
To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit https://www.
archives.
gov/veterans/military-service-records Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.
) If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.
m.
Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at https://www.
usajobs.
gov.
To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at https://www.
usajobs.
gov and click on "Application Status.
" Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk.
For instructions on submitting your application in an alternate format, please contact the Agency Contact listed in this vacancy announcement.
Agency contact information Applicant Inquiries Email noaa.
applicantinquiries@noaa.
gov Address NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS) 1315 East West Hwy SSMC4 Silver Spring, MD 20910 US Next steps This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Hydrologist GS-1315-12/13 positions throughout NOAA.
The position must be alike (e.
g.
: within the same geographic locations, same grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking on "Track Your Online Application.
" The four points of notification are: Application Received Application being assess for qualification; Referred or Not Referred; and Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.
If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.
The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.
e.
, degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.
) Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume.
If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose, for each work experience at a minimum, your resume must include; job title(s) (including job series and grade, if federal); description of duties or work performed; education; starting and ending dates (month and year); and hours worked per week and/or full-time or part-time.
If identifying as part-time you must state the number of hours per week.
(NOTE: A full-time work schedule requires most employees to work 33-40 hours during the work week.
A part-time schedule requires an employee to work less than full-time, but for a specific number of hours (usually 16-32 hours per administrative work week) on a prearranged scheduled tour of duty.
) Veteran's documentation: If you are requesting consideration under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA) you must submit a copy of your Member 4 DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.
e.
, statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service) and/or any other required supporting documents (VA Letter).
https://www.
opm.
gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.
asp#VeteransEmploymentAct1998.
Active Duty Service Members: You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes.
Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation.
If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc.
, you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures.
To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit https://www.
archives.
gov/veterans/military-service-records Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).
Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.
) If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help This job is open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Veterans Clarification from the agency Open to the public.