Survey Technician.

US Army Corps of Engineers; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Army Corps of Engineers seeks a field hydrographic survey specialist to conduct surveys using single and multi-beam sonar, edit data, and deliver contour maps and volume calculations. The role requires operating survey equipment and developing procedures with new technologies, while coordinating with engineers and project managers to define survey scope.

Candidates should have specialized experience in geodetic/hydrographic surveying and may meet qualifications via graduate-level

Qualifications

• GS 08 Specialized Experience: technical support for geodetic, land, or hydrographic surveying operations, applying CAD/GIS to deliverables.
• Education Substitution: 27 semester hours of graduate-level education in surveying/engineering/related field.
• Combination Education and Experience: mix of specialized experience and graduate study with percentage calculation required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as field expert for hydrographic survey operations.
• Collect and edit single/multi beam data; deliver contours, mapping, and volume computations.
• Operate and maintain hydrographic survey equipment; develop procedures using emerging tech.
• Coordinate with supervisors and engineers to determine survey requirements.

Education

Graduate level education (27 semester hours) in surveying/engineering/related field

Combination Education and Experience per GS guidance (see description)

Job description

Duties

• The below duties are at the full performance level of the GS -11. The lower grades perform developmental assignments under closer than normal supervision. Assignments become progressively more difficult until the next performance level is reached.
• Serve as a field expert for hydrographic survey operations to conduct a variety of surveys in diverse and potentially complex situations.
• Collect and edit single/multi beam data ensuring accuracy by performing overlap checks and comparisons following standardized software processes of quality assurance. Deliver end products to include contours, mapping, and volume computations.
• Operate and perform minor maintenance for equipment required to perform hydrographic (single beam or multi beam) surveys.
• Technical advisor responsible for developing new or modifying existing field data collection procedures utilizing the latest emerging technologies to develop innovative methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of surveying methods, concepts, policies, precedents, principles, and techniques related to hydrographic surveys.
• Coordinate with supervisors, managers, engineers, scientists, and other professionals to determine survey requirements and scope.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Position requires TDY, temporary duty away from home duty location, of up to 15% of the time.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical exam due to the physical requirement of the position. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift 40 pounds.
• This position requires a valid state driver's license prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply:

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Reinstatement
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

GS 08 Specialized Experience: providing technical support for geodetic, land, or hydrographic surveying operations, applying the application of CADD or GIS technology in the preparation of deliverables, and utilizing computers and computer applications to download and process survey-related data.

OR

Education Substitution: successfully completed one and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education (above a bachelor degree) in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying, engineering, construction, or industrial technology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination Education and Experience: specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level education as described in B, but less than the required one and a half years. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

GS 09 Specialized Experience: providing technical support with the collection of geodetic, land, or hydrographic survey data utilizing advanced electronic surveying equipment and sensors, processing of survey-related data sets, providing support with performing surveys in accordance with laws and regulations, assisting in planning, scheduling, and directing various stages of a survey, and processing survey data inside geographic software environments including contour creation, terrain models, and finalized map deliverables. This is equivalent to the GS 8 level in the federal government.

GS-10 Specialized Experience: conducting hydrographic surveys utilizing multi-beam or single beam sonar units, providing support with conducting site visits to determine scope of project, and collecting and analyzing hydrographic survey data for adequacy based on scope of project. This is equivalent to the GS 9 level in the federal government.

GS-11 Specialized Experience: conducting hydrographic surveys utilizing multi-beam or single beam sonar units, conducting site visits to determine scope of project, developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, and serving as liaison between customers and projects. This is equivalent to the GS 10 level in the federal government.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For grades 9-11 you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade.

For the GS 08-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-07).

For the GS 09-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-08).

For the GS 10-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-09).

For the GS 11-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-10).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• Relocation or recruitment incentive may be authorized (up to 25%)

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‑based 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 here:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.