Hydrologist

Basic Requirements

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), River Forecast Centers (RFCs), with vacancies in each listed location.

Qualification requirements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. The handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management’s website located at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Basic Requirements: This position requires applicants to meet the Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience to be found minimally qualified. You must meet one of the following basic education requirements:

• 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 coursework 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.
• B. Combination of education and experience: Course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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, Ameri Corps) and other organizations such as 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.

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:

• Utilizing hydrometeorological techniques and equipment to assist with forecast preparation;
• Supporting the development of hydrologic modeling and analysis procedures;
• Collaborating with customers or partners on hydrologic forecast products and services.