Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Engineering Technician (Materials). Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location: Willows, California Responsibilities Studies contract plans and specifications, design memorandums, etc., pertaining to testing and control of earthwork and related materials to detect and resolve potential conflicts or problems; and to maintain a thorough familiarity with assigned construction project requirements. Inspects contractor material operations and remedies and/or reports instances of non-compliance to Construction Representative/Resident Engineer and Laboratory Chief. Inspects Concrete and Aggregate Production Facilities. Inspects construction plant activities at various work sites to assure work is completed in accordance with contract plans and specifications. Collects samples and determines aggregate gradation, moisture, absorption, and specific gravity. Inspects equipment, including mixer efficiencies, scale and flowmeter accuracy. Tests fresh concrete including temperature, slump, air content, and unit weight. Produces specimens for compressive strength testing. Reviews testing procedures and analyzes test results to verify adequacy of test, to assure acceptability of the work product and to detect and resolve failures in materials or equipment operations. Recommends appropriate remedial action necessary to correct inequities and recommends changes to assure conformity with contract specifications. Maintains and calibrates earth and concrete testing equipment used in the laboratory and field including scales, compactors, sieves, compression testing machine, gauges, and meters. Prepares reports of test results and includes in daily, periodic, and final reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents). You will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position. A physical exam may not be required if a comparable agency approved examination was performed within the last 12 months. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency. Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. To qualify at the GS-08, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 in Federal service. Specialized experience at this level is defined as: performing a variety of complex sampling and testing techniques for materials for a variety of construction activities, monitoring of contractor quality control testing for conformance to contract requirements, reviewing material provisions of contract documents prior to contract advertisement, and assists in identifying concrete, aggregate, soil, and asphalt material problems; selecting and applying scientific, engineering, or laboratory methods and techniques, including best laboratory practices and/or standard testing procedures; documenting and reporting results of research findings, including cursory analysis of data; and operating, maintaining, and calibrating precision instruments, research equipment, or similar testing apparatus, OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position such as construction management, civil, electrical, materials or mechanical engineering, OR an equivalent combination of experience and education. 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. You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 12/24/2024. Education This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. 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. You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer. Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education. 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. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information. Additional Information You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Current, permanent Federal employees who are selected from this announcement may be required to serve a probationary period. Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov This is a non-bargaining unit position. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.