Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Local recruitment: Hydrologic Technician (U.S. nationals)
Career Insights for Hydrologic Technician
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on Pennsylvania data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
A Hydrologic Technician collects and organizes data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measures and reports on flow rates and ground water levels, maintains field equipment, collects water samples, installs and collects sampling equipment, and processes samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.
$55,336 / year median in Pennsylvania
+6% projected growth
Job Description
NOTE:
This position is located in York County, Fairview Township, Pennsylvania. Learn more about this agency This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Clarification from the agency This announcement is open to United States Citizens; U.S. Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).Videos https:
//youtube.com/watch?v=nKonBsAFNbY%3Fenablejsapi%3D1&origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.usajobs.gov Duties Help Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:Surface Water:
Performs a wide variety of stage and discharge measurements using appropriate techniques, equipment and protocols.Ground Water:
Performs wide variety of water-level and discharge measurements from wells and springs selecting appropriate techniques, equipment and protocols.Water Quality:
Performs field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity.Instrumentation:
Installs, maintains, services, and assists in the configuration of a variety of sensing, recording, and communications equipment and instrumentation.Data Management:
Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes hydrologic data using one or more of several databases, spreadsheets, and graphics software programs. Monitors water-quality sampling frequencies for timely data collection and reports discrepancies. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Requirements Help Conditions of employment Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/ . Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 10 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.Qualifications Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/19/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
Minimum Qualification Requirements :
To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Requirements for Hydrologic Technician, GS-1316: Specialized experience: Technician or aid in engineering, earth, physical, or natural science, forestry, soil conservation, or surveying; Trades or crafts work in maintenance or construction of facilities or equipment related to hydrology; Drafting; and/or Construction estimating.- AND•To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level:
Specialized Experience Requirement:
you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Collected hydrologic field data (such as streamflow, groundwater, water-quality, or sediment data) using established procedures, scientific methods, and hydrologic monitoring equipment; Operated, calibrated, maintained, or performed routine troubleshooting and repairs on hydrologic monitoring equipment or automated data collection systems following established procedures; Reviewed, computed, verified, or processed hydrologic data using established methods or software, identified data discrepancies, and documented or corrected errors in accordance with quality assurance procedures; Prepared, maintained, or reviewed field notes, calibration records, station records, or other technical documentation to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and traceability of hydrologic data; Entered, maintained, validated, retrieved, or updated hydrologic or other scientific data in electronic databases or information management systems while following established quality assurance and records management procedures. You must include hours per week worked.Education:
Successful completion of at least one and one half years of graduate education (27 semester hours) that is directly related to the work of the position, with major study in any combination of scientific or technical courses. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Transcripts must be included. You must include transcripts. A Combination of education and experience .- OR-OR
Volunteer Experience:
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 You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.Foreign Education:
To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.https:
//www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification Additional information Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Work requires agility and strenuous physical exertion. Must be able to lift over 50 lbs. Field conditions include heat or cold, rain or snow and conditions such as ice and flooding or exposure to irritant or toxic chemicals. All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions . The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.Expand additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified
- applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified
- applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified
- applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
Federal Resume:
https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessments . All college transcript(s) , if qualifying based on education. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable. Veterans Preference Documentation , if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15 . If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15 , and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) : You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified.For more information visit:
USAJOBS Help Center- Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) . Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials
- you must remove your image from all documents.
Expand how to apply Agency contact information Christine JewettEmail christine_jewett@ios.doi.gov Address
PENNSYLVANIA WATER SCI CTR 12201
Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US Next steps You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/ . Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.Expand next steps Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request 2 days remaining Apply by 19 August, 2026 APPLY Job no longer available? Let us know!