ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN (CIVIL)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Las Animas Field Office. The incumbent will provide engineering assistance to landowners, groups, and units of government pertaining to numerous NRCS programs, through evaluating, surveying, planning, designing, constructing, and quality controlling various engineering systems, processed, materials, etc. .
Major duties
Works with landowners to determine suitable alternative in solving the resource problem. Inspects work under construction and maintains construction inspection records according to current service policy. Designs engineering practices and structures involved in a variety of NRCS programs. Prepares job sheets and designs according to current policy. Assist with the documentation of the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and surveys needed. Collects field data and assures adequacy of collected data.
What you need to qualify
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-05 level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience includes performing assignments for drafting and surveying construction estimates; assignments requiring knowledge of physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems; trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: planner or estimator who analyzed designs for production and/or instrument or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-05 level: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree a) with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology; or b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. For the GS-06 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience includes progressive assignments assisting in engineering, surveying and investigations; preparing drawings using CADD and manual methods, processing and plotting data; working with landowners to determine suitable alternatives in solving resource problems. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-06 level: You must have one full year of graduate education with coursework directly related to the position such as engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. For the GS-07 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience includes performing a variety of assignments with direction from the engineer in charge or senior technician performing material testing; compiling, computing, plotting, and checking data for projects that demonstrates knowledge in engineering surveying and investigation, design practices and structures; using CADD to prepare sketches, drawings, diagrams and charts for excavation, embankment, structures, triangulation, profiles and traverses, assisting field engineering staff. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-07 level: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the positions such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. SAA is based on: Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). For the GS-08 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience includes performing material testing; determining investigation, survey and site data needs to include working with landowners determining suitable alternatives solving natural resource problems; designing engineering practices and structures; compiling, computing, plotting, and checking a variety of data for natural resource-related conservation projects; using CADD and manual techniques to prepare sketches, drawings, diagrams, and charts for projects. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-08 level: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. For the GS-09 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience includes providing technical assistance, working with landowners and units of government to apply and maintain conservation practices; designing engineering practices, preparing engineering drawings, computing quantities, inspecting projects, preparing cost estimates, and providing technical assistance. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position such as engineering or a closely related field. Combination of Education and Experience (Applies to GS-05/06/07/08/09): A combination of education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.