Hydrologic Technician.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Billings (MT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Billings, MT, is seeking personnel to perform routine measurements of water stage and discharge, review data quality, and maintain field instrumentation. The role includes data entry, analysis, and support for hydrograph creation.

The position emphasizes strict adherence to established methods, safety, and ongoing data integrity within USGS databases and reporting workflows.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 1959.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Physical examination or statement of physical ability.
• Complete training and obtain a government travel card.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine measurements of stage and discharge under varied field conditions using established methods.
• Reviews gage-height data and discharge measurements to verify methods and plot hydrographs.
• Installs, maintains, services, and troubleshoots sensing, recording, communications equipment, and instrumentation.
• Assists in establishing vertical and horizontal datums using electronic forms and procedures.
• Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data using databases and spreadsheets; maintains files.

Skills

Field data collection

Data entry

Python/Excel data handling

Analytical thinking

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheets

Graphics software

Job description

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs routine measurements of stage and discharge under various field conditions using established, standardized methods.
• Reviews gage-height data and discharge measurements to verify methods and computational accuracy and plots hydrographs to compare records.
• Installs, maintains, services, and troubleshoots sensing, recording, communications equipment, and instrumentation.
• Assists in establishing vertical and horizontal datums using established electronic forms and procedures.
• Enters, retrieves, edits, and analyzes basic surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data using databases, spreadsheets, and graphics software. Maintains current and accurate files supporting data stored in USGS databases.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 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
• 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 must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

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 why 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

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/17/2026-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:

Specialized Experience (for Positions At GS-4 And Above)

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• 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.