Supervisory Hydrologic Technician

U.S. Geological Survey; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Billings Field Office in Billings, Montana seeks a Field Office Chief to supervise employees who collect, process, review, and publish hydrologic data; oversee monitoring networks; ensure compliance with USGS technical and safety requirements; and coordinate programs with Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners.

You will lead priority setting, evaluate performance, oversee monitoring stations, manage resources, and represent

Qualifications

• Leadership experience supervising teams of technicians.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee monitoring programs.
• Strong communication with staff, management, and external partners.
• Knowledge of safety practices and data quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight to hydrologic technicians by establishing work priorities and evaluating performance.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees hydrologic monitoring programs and data-collection networks.
• Ensures data collection and dissemination meet technical standards and safety procedures.
• Represents the USGS and Water Science Center in interactions with Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners.
• Communicates technical information and guides staff to resolve operational issues.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Strategic planning

Communication

Partnering

Technical competence

Job description

Summary

This position is with the U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Billings Field Office, in Billings, Montana. As Field Office Chief, you will supervise employees who collect, process, review, and publish hydrologic data; oversee monitoring networks; ensure compliance with USGS technical and safety requirements; and coordinate programs with Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners.

Major Duties

Provides leadership and oversight to hydrologic technicians by establishing work priorities, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and supporting employee training, development, and career advancement. Plans, coordinates, and oversees hydrologic monitoring programs, including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of surface-water, groundwater, water-quality, and sediment monitoring stations and data-collection networks. Ensures hydrologic data collection, computation, review, and dissemination activities comply with USGS technical standards, policies, quality assurance requirements, and safety procedures. Coordinates personnel, equipment, vehicles, and other resources to support mission objectives, efficient operations, budget planning, and the delivery of high-quality water-resources data. Represents the USGS and Water Science Center in interactions with Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners, cooperators, landowners, and other stakeholders to support monitoring programs, funding agreements, and collaborative initiatives. Communicates technical and operational information to employees, management, partners, and stakeholders; provides guidance and instruction; and facilitates coordination and resolution of operational issues.

Education

There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level in the Hydrologic Technician, GS-1316 series. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements based on specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen or national. You must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation. This is a Moderate Risk/Public Trust position. A security clearance is not required. You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period unless you have previously completed one. You must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. You must possess and maintain a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card for the duration of the appointment. You must successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. You may be required to operate government-owned or leased vehicles. You may be required to travel up to 50% of the time to remote field sites, meetings, and other locations. You must be able to perform strenuous fieldwork, including climbing ladders or elevated structures, working on steep or unstable terrain, wading in fast-moving or deep water, bending, crouching, working in confined areas, and lifting or carrying equipment weighing 50 pounds or more. You may work in extreme heat or cold, rain, snow, high humidity, flooding, ice, nighttime conditions, and other adverse environments. You may encounter wildlife, biting or stinging insects, poisonous plants, traffic, heavy equipment, chemicals used in hydrologic monitoring, and other field hazards. You may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as hard hats, gloves, boots, eye protection, respirators, and life jackets. You must meet all eligibility, qualification, and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Evaluations

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 the additional assessment(s) required for this position. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. 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. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Leadership Oral Communication Partnering Planning and Evaluating Technical Competence All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. DUE WEIGHT: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

What to Expect Next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. 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/. 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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) -09/22/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed 2 single-sided pages and resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. Resume Builder: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessments. Performance Appraisals and Awards: Current and former Federal employees seeking consideration under merit-promotion procedures must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If the performance appraisal is not dated within the last 18 months OR no performance appraisal is available, you must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level). Eligibility Documentation: Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s. If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year. Do not submit award SF-50s. Veterans Preference Documentation: Veterans eligible under VEOA, 30% or more Disabled, or Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program must submit the most recent Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (e.g. DD-214) as listed on the SF15. If you are a Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all documentation as listed on the SF15. You may request a copy of the VA letter from https://www.va.gov/records. 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. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): If you are applying under LMWFA, you must submit ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment verifying the Position Occupied code 1-Competitive Service (block 34); AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each period of temporary employment claimed, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period. Special Appointing Authorities: If you are applying under a special appointing authority (i.e. Schedule A, Peace Corps, Military Spouses, etc.), you must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility. If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration. If you're eligible for an authority not listed, you are responsible for submitting documentation that's appropriate for that specific authority. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles MUST submit proof of eligibility including a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 showing your position, grade level, and duty location. For more information visit: 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. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Other Information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case‑case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive. All 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.