This position is part of the National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) with vacancies in each listed location. The WFO's hydrologic functions are to mitigate loss of life and property caused by floods and drought, and ensure data is available to emergency management partners, River Forecast Centers, and private sector hydrologists. The incumbent provides expert support to the assigned service area, issues river forecast products, flood warnings, and specialized tools to the public.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: All operational forecasters at the WFO are required to work long arduous hours when hazardous conditions are expected or occurring. Such duty requires the ability to make quick and accurate decisions during extended periods of stressful activity. Outdoor activity may be required during field trips, however no excessive physical demands are required. 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: To qualify for the 1315 series: EDUCATION: 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 at the GS-12 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also 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: Utilizing models, techniques and procedures for hydro-meteorological forecasts; and Representing an organization to stakeholders regarding hydrologic forecast and warning operations. To qualify at the GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also 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: Maintaining and updating hydro-meteorological models, techniques and procedures for hydrologic forecasts; Analyzing hydrologic forecast and warning processes, procedures, and services to recommend operational improvement; and Representing an organization to internal and external stakeholders regarding hydrologic forecast and warning operations.
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. NOTE: The duties are at the full performance level of the GS-13; the GS-12 is the developmental leading to such performance.