Summary The incumbent provides engineering assistance working with landowners, groups, and units of government to apply and maintain a variety of conservation practices in their area of assigned responsibility. Responsibilities Prepares drawings using computer aided design and manual methods, design computations and estimates for quantities and costs. Inspects work under construction and maintains construction inspection records according to current service policy. Prepares as-built plans, certifying completed work to the next level technician or Engineer. Completes payment requests and referrals pertaining to work completed for cost sharing. Makes site evaluations to assess the need for engineering measures, recommending a preliminary selection of appropriate measure alternatives. Maintains construction inspection records according to current policy Works with landowners to determine suitable alternatives in solving the resource problem and obtains management information necessary for designing treatment practices. Determines the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and surveys needed, collecting field data and assures adequacy of collected data. Designs engineering practices and structures involved in a variety of programs, assembling complete packages of drawings and specifications for jobs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for the GS-8 Grade Level: applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the Federal GS-07 grade level or higher, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as performing which involves a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing material testing. Determining investigations. Determining survey and site data needs. Designing engineering practices and structures. Compiling, computing, plotting and checking data for natural resource-related conservation projects (earthen dams, agriculture waste management systems, filter strips, water and sediment control basins, rock riprap, slope protection, etc.). Using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and manual techniques to prepare sketches, drawings, diagrams and charts for several phases of projects such as excavation, embankment, structures, triangulation, profiles and traverses, etc. Assisting field engineering staff in staking out work. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Two full years of graduate education in a discipline such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level 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. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. To qualify for the GS-9 Grade Level: applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the Federal GS-08 grade level or higher, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as performing which involves a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. Examples of specialized experience include: Developing engineering drawings and developing cost estimates. Resolving discrepancies and deviations in project drawings. Using civil engineering technology services to evaluate soil and water conservation. problems on farms or in broader watershed size areas. Installing conservation measures and structures that curb excessive soil erosion, improve, or protect water quality, reduce surface runoff, prevent floodwater damages, and improve water management on public and private lands. Working with landowners to determine suitable alternatives to solve natural resource problems that address agricultural waste management, deteriorated water quality, erosion, flooding, the need for land drainage, recreation potential, the need for fish and wildlife habitat improvement and inadequate urban storm water management and erosion and sediment control. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience: Two full years of graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a discipline such as engineering, construction, or industrial technology. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level 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. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-TECH-NOTE 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. Education You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e., substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabus and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. If you have not yet conferred your degree or certificate but will within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement, a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date must be submitted with your application. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. 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. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. Additional Information Locality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables may be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Physical Demands: Field work requires physical exertion such as long periods of standing, traversing steep slopes and rough construction sites, wading in streams and water bodies, crossing fences and gates, recurring bending and stooping, jumping across shallow ditches, walking in soft, muddy, and slippery conditions, and lifting and carrying equipment and samples that weigh up to 50 pounds. Work Environment: Work performed in an office setting is in properly lighted, ventilated, and climate- controlled area. During field work, the employee is frequently exposed to adverse weather conditions. Protective gear and clothing such as a hard hat, boots, and gloves may be necessary during field visits and in the area of moving machinery. Exposure to noise levels common to construction sites with large earthmoving equipment can be expected. There will be exposure to disease carrying insects and irritating plants. Field work is performed on a regular and recurring basis. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.