Civil Engineer

DutiesSummary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
Salary:

• GS-07 $48,978 (Step 01) to $60,282 (Step 10)
• GS-09 $59,907 (Step 01) to $73,731 (Step 10)
• GS-11 $64,649 (Step 01) to $84, 049 (Step 10)


Responsibilities

As a Civil Engineer within the Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Conducts field surveys; measurements of surface-water flow, water levels, sediment characteristics and flood profiles.
• Inspects, maintains, and repairs data recorders.
• Performs hydrologic analyses of stream data and hydraulic analyses of structures to ascertain such factors as effects of proposed structures on streams; prepares reports on the findings and investigations and studies.
• Establishes stage discharge ratings at assigned gaging sites, including those related to control structures and flat slopes. Utilizes established computer program to make the necessary hydraulic analyses.
• Makes measurements of the flow of streams at times under conditions of above average difficulty calling for considerable judgment and hydraulic knowledge in the selection of proper measuring locations and choices of observation points in the measuring section.
• Conducts field surveys of bridge waterway openings, indirect stream-flow measurement sites or flood profiles.
• Operates a government owned or leased vehicle s an incident driver.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work regularly combines both office and field assignments. Field work requires physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable walking, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, and climbing such as in regular and periodic construction activities and field inspections. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds. Field assignments may also involve driving motor vehicles to work sites, some of which may be remote, and include overnight stays in remote locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as: high noise levels, infectious materials, or toxic or irritating chemicals; travel in safety approved small aircraft and water craft; high winds and low or high temperatures; infestation of dangerous reptiles or poisonous plants, snakes, or insects; adverse weather conditions; noxious fumes; flammable liquids; or radiation. The work involves performing tasks in close proximity to rotating heavy mechanical and electrical machinery and may involve working within confined spaces for extensive periods of time. Special safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear are necessary. Safety precautions and protocols are observed at all times and the incumbent complies with safety instructions and regulations and ensures individual and others' safety by promptly reporting unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and accidents to the supervisor.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel on average of 5 nights per month for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

12

• Job family (Series)

  0810 Civil Engineering

  Similar jobs
  • Bridge Engineers
  • Civil Engineers
  • Construction Engineers
  • Engineers, Bridge
  • Engineers, Civil
  • Engineers, Construction

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment

  Key Requirements:

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
  • More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
  • Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
  • Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.
  Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • You will be required to operate a government-owned or -leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties. Applicants for this position must meet the following requirements: (1) possess a valid State license, and (2) possess a safe driving record. If selected, you will be required to provide proof of a valid State license & a copy of your driving record.
  • Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job.
  • Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
  • 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.
  • If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  QualificationsBASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the requirements outlined in either A or B below to satisfy the basic requirements for Civil Engineer/Hydraulic Engineer, all grade levels.
  
  A. Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
  
  B. Combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: (1) Professional registration or licensure; (2) Written Test; (3) Specified academic courses - successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A; (4) Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
  
  For GS-7:
  
  In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:

  Possess at least 1 year of directly related progressively higher-level graduate education.

  **OR Possess Superior Academic Achievement - meet one of the following: upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum, or GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses competed in final 2 years of curriculum; Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Assoc. of College Honor Societies.

  **OR Successfully completed a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering.

  **OR Possess at least 1-year of professional engineering experience defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability. To be creditable, this professional engineering experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service and it must have equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.
  
  Examples of GS-05 level work may include: 1) applying basic formulas to routine hydraulic calculations; 2) collecting, retrieving, and interpreting hydrologic, hydraulic, and meteorological data; 2) assisting in conducting field surveys involving measurement of surface-water flow; and 3) assisting in the design and installation of hydrologic measuring devices; 4) providing assistance with drilling and pumping tests to determine hydraulic characteristics and properties.

  **OR Possess a combination of related graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.
  
  For GS-9:
  
  In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:
  
  Possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 level as described in the qualification section of the vacancy announcement.

  **OR Possess at least 2 years of directly related progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

  **OR Possess 1 year of appropriate professional experience (i.e., non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability) AND have successfully completed a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering.
  
  One year of professional engineering experience defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability. To be creditable, this professional engineering experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service and it must have equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Examples of GS-07 level work may include: 1) collecting and interpreting hydraulic data for use in the design of bridges, culverts, and other conveyance structures; 2) making measurements of the flow of streams at times under conditions of above average difficulty; 3) performing hydraulic analysis using documented hydrologic models; 4) conducting field surveys of bridge waterway openings, indirect stream flow measurement sites or flood profiles.
  
  **OR Possess a combination of 1 year of appropriate professional experience (i.e., non-routine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability) AND Superior Academic Achievement (upper third of my graduating class based on completed courses; or GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum, or GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses competed in final 2 years of curriculum; or Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Assoc. of College Honor Societies).

  **OR Possess a combination of graduate level education as described above, beyond the first year of progressive graduate study, and appropriate professional experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.
  
  QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED BELOW IN THE EDUCATION SECTION.

  Education

  QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (COTINUED)
  
  For GS-11:
  
  In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:
  
  Three years of progressively higher level graduate education (54 semester hours, 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. degree in professional engineering or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in professional engineering; OR with a bachelor's degree in professional engineering the aforementioned graduate education may be in a related field of study if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position to be filled.
  
  **OR One year of professional engineering experience defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability. To be creditable, this professional engineering experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service and it must have equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Examples of GS-9 level work may include: (1) conducting preliminary site investigations to obtain field data on such things as existing structures, drainage areas, topography, and feasible layout of facilities in relation to terrain; (2) preparing design criteria for smaller or less complex portions of facilities; (3) developing technical data for formal specifications regarding materials, sizes, dimensions, quantities and costs; (4) designing and constructing hydrologic measuring structures.
  
  **OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education, as described above, that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional engineering experience, as described above.
  
  You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
  
  Education

  • 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.
  • 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: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
  Additional information

  Reasonable Accommodation Requests:
  
  If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
  
  Other Information:

  • Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  • Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
  • Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
  • USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
  • The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
  • DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
  • THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
    
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  -Basis of Rating: You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the occupational questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.
  
  You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Hydraulic Engineering
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Arithmetic
  • Reading
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Collect Scientific Data
  • Scientific Instrumentation
  • Compute/Analyze Data
  • Information Management
  • Scientific Records
  • Technology Application
  In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and occupational questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  -NOTE: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
  
  Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.
  
  Agency Benefits:
  • USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
  • For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
  • Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
  
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Not Required

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Credentialing

• Required Documents

  Required DocumentsTo apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. Other supporting documents:
  
  Reasonable Accommodation
  • -If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/images/5/59/USAHireAccommodationRequestForm41418.pdf.
  
  Transcripts
  
  • -This position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
  
  Current & Former Federal Employees
  -If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee OR a former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility? you must submit the following by the closing date of this announcement, or you will not receive consideration as such:
  • a copy of a recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, position title, occupational series, grade level and step?; and
  • your most recent performance appraisal (if you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable); and
  • if applicable, a list of any awards you received in the last 5 years (i.e., superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.).
  Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)
  
  • -If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), you must submit proof that supports your claim. This may include:
  • A legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation or statement from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions.
  • If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans' preference or that shows length of service, AND that your character of military service is honorable.
  Additional information can be found in the VetGuide.
  
  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles
  
  • -If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:
  • copy of the agency notice;
  • your most recent Performance Rating; and
  • your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
  If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.
  
  Land Management Workforce Flexibility Eligibles
  
  • -If you are applying as a current or former employee of a land management agency, i.e., Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or the U.S. Forest Service who is serving or previously served on a temporary or term appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, you must submit the following documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement in order to receive consideration:
  • SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action, that documents your service under competitive examining procedures in time limited appointments that totals 2 or more years at land management agencies; and
  • Documentation of satisfactory performance such as performance evaluations or references by supervisors or other documents, e.g., memorandums of record, whereas the supervisor documented an acceptable performance level.
  Additional information can be found here.
  
  Eligibility for Special Appointing Authorities:
  If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, you must submit proof that supports your claim by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration under the special appointing authority. Below is a list of the most common authorities and the documentation requirements.
  
  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CONTINUED BELOW IN THE HOW TO APPLY SECTION.
  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.

• Benefits

  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. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Review our 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.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Family of overseas employees

  Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is, or was, working overseas.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current excepted service federal employees.

• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management

  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

• Military spouses
• National Guard & Reserves

  Current members, those who want to join, or transitioning military members.

• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities

  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

Open to current or former Federal employees w/perm comp status; OR those eligible under a special or noncomp appointing authority (e.g.,VRA, disabled, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are elig for noncomp conversion, etc.); OR current or former employees who are serving, or previously served, on temp or term appt in a land mgmt agency; OR veterans with preference or have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after approx 3yrs or more of continuous active service.