Surveying Technician

*NOTE*

For full details, job description, requirements, and application instructions please visit the USA JOBS announcment.

Duties:

Assigned to Hydrographic Survey and Dredge Inspection Unit of the Channels & Harbors Project Office.  Responsible for collecting, processing and analyzing data related to channel and harbor maintenance program, lock and dam operation, water resource projects, and various engineering and planning studies.  Emphasis is on the Districts commercial and recreation navigation projects which include 284 miles on the Upper Mississippi River system and 18 boat harbors on the Upper Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods.  Monitors general channel conditions for shoaling, scour, navigability, safety, and positioning of navigation aids.  Determines when problems exist and initiates the necessary corrective action such as conducting a detailed survey, reporting to appropriate authorities or repositioning a navigation aid that is off station.  Investigates vessel groundings to determine the cause of the problem and what additional action is necessary.  Conducts a variety of surveys ranging in accuracy up to first order work.  Types of surveys include hydrographic, mapping, lock and dam alignment and settlement, cadastral, horizontal and vertical ground control, establishment of elevation gages, etc.  Keeps survey and other data collection instruments and equipment properly calibrated, clean and well maintained.

Qualifications:

• To Qualify applicants must possess one year of specialized/general experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-04) for the GS-05 level.  Specialized experience is defined as: Ability to record notes during a survey; ability to operate various computer software programs; and ability to operate boats less than 26 feet on a river system.
• To Qualify applicants must possess one year of specialized/general experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05) for the GS-06 level.  Specialized experience is defined as: Ability to record notes during a survey; ability to properly operate surveying and data collection instruments; ability to operate various computer software programs; and ability to operate boats less than 26 feet on a river system.
• To Qualify applicants must possess one year of specialized/general experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-06) for the GS-07 level.  Specialized experience is defined as: Ability to conduct a survey; ability to properly calibrate surveying and data collection instruments; ability to edit and process survey data that is electronically collected; and ability to operate boats less than 26 feet on a river system.
• To Qualify applicants must possess one year of specialized/general experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07) for the GS-08 level.  Specialized experience is defined as: Ability to conduct a detailed survey; ability to properly calibrate surveying and data collection instruments, and determining when repairs are needed; ability to edit and process survey data that is electronically collected; and ability to operate boats less than 26 feet on a river system.
• GS-05: One year of experience directly related to this occupation equivalent to the next lower grade level, or a 4 year course of study above the high school level leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to this occupation, or a combination of experience and education.
• GS-06 and above: One year of experience directly related to this occupation equivalent to the next lower grade. Graduate education or an internship meets the experience required when it is directly related to the work of the position.
• Time in Grade Restriction: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the Time in Grade Restriction.
• Time in Grade Restriction: Must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the [next lower lower grade (or equivalent).