Survey Technician, GS-0817-09/10 (29106)

US Army Corps of Engineers; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is seeking a Survey Technician to perform hydrographic and topographic surveys to support dredging and civil works, ensuring safe and navigable waterways in the Great Lakes region.

Position is permanent (GS-0817-9/10). Field‑oriented work with 50% TDY travel; requires vessel/UAV survey operation and valid driver's license. Federal qualifications and experience required.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience coordinating field survey operations, utilizing mathematical computations to establish elevations and alignments, and ensuring quality control of survey data (GS-10).
• Specialized experience assisting with or independently executing hydrographic and/or topographic surveys, performing mathematical survey computations, and verifying field data accuracy (GS-09).
• Education substitution is not permitted for this position.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate survey operations: plan and execute hydrographic/topographic surveys and prepare control files.
• Perform advanced survey computations to establish vertical/horizontal controls.
• Lead and train survey crews; enforce safety requirements.
• Conduct QA and site inspections to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Execute UAV surveys with data acquisition and verification.
• Operate and maintain vessels and survey instruments.

Skills

Surveying

Leadership

Mathematical reasoning

Quality assurance

Job description

USACE Organization

Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD) - Buffalo District

Announcement Type

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

Locations (City, State)

Buffalo

Position Overview/Duties

INTRODUCTION: As a Survey Technician for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and navigability of District Waterways. Your primary responsibility will be to conduct hydrographic surveys to monitor channel depths, identify and map potential navigation hazards, and support dredging and civil works projects.

POSITION: Survey Technician, GS-0817-9/10

PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT: PERMANENT

Description Of Assignment/Duties

• Coordinate survey operations: Plan and execute hydrographic and topographic surveys, establish daily work priorities based on environmental conditions, and prepare control files for the survey area.
• Perform advanced survey computations: Apply complex math to establish vertical and horizontal controls, compute line grades, and calculate in-place dredge material volumes.
• Lead and train survey crews: Assign daily tasks to crew members based on workload and technical difficulty, train personnel in proper survey procedures, and enforce strict onsite safety requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance and site inspections: Inspect project sites and construction progress, review contractor records, and perform quality assurance checks to ensure compliance with contract specifications and engineering standards.
• Execute Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys: Serve as a remote pilot or visual observer, taking responsibility for flight planning, data acquisition, and data integrity verification.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment: Operate vessels for multibeam or single beam hydrographic surveys, perform minor equipment maintenance, and utilize both automated and conventional survey instruments.

Other Conditions and Requirements

APPLICABILITY/AREA OF CONSIDERATION

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in competitive service.

WHO MAY APPLY

US Citizens

Applicant Qualifications

Experience Requirement:

Specialized Experience for the GS-10 full performance grade level: One year of specialized experience coordinating field survey operations, utilizing mathematical computations to establish elevations and alignments, and ensuring quality control of survey data. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

Specialized Experience for the GS-09 grade level: One year of specialized experience assisting with or independently executing hydrographic and/or topographic surveys, performing mathematical survey computations, and verifying field data accuracy. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in federal service (GS-08).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone - no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Competencies Needed For The Position

Surveying

Leadership

Mathematical Reasoning

Quality Assurance

Conditions Of Employment

A one-year probationary period may be required.

Appointment may be subject to suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. The position is designated as Non-Sensitive-No access security clearance.

Work is primarily performed in the field, requiring Temporary Duty (TDY) travel approximately 50% of the time.

Work requires some physical exertion such as walking over rough, uneven, rocky, or slippery surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, or similar activities; regular visits to construction sites such as floating plants. Requires ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds of equipment.

Work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts such as outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain, cold/hot weather, icy streams, and rivers.

Work requires the incumbent to take special safety precautions, including wearing special protective items of clothing.

An annual fit-for-duty physical is required and one prior to the appointment.

Must have at time of appointment and maintain a valid state driver’s license.

Must complete Basic Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Qualifications (BUQ I/II) courses upon entry.

Other Essential Information

Must complete Small Unmanned Aircraft Qualifications Course upon entry.

Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from the Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.

You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.

This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for three months after the closing date.

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.

Direct deposit of pay is required.

This is an Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction) Career Program position aligned under the Construction, Analysis, Science, Infrastructure & Engineers (CASIE) Career Management Directorate.

Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs 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/Recruitment Incentives may be authorized with a signed service agreement.

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.

Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.

Point of contact for this announcement is: Michael Lipin

Your Resume

Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer’s name, job title, start and end dates (including month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that shows you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.

Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.

If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non‑merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements

GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.