Hydrologic Technician, GS-10 Standard PD# S0260

Introduction

The incumbent is a senior technical staff member within a field office of the Water Resources Division (WRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey. The goals of the office are to produce accurate, timely and useful data and authoritative technical reports that improve the understanding and management of water resources in the geographic area.

This standard position description may be used only if:

- the incumbent performs one or more of the first nine grade-controlling major duties a majority of his/her time; and

- more than 75% of the incumbent’s work is covered by the standard position description

Please check the boxes that apply to your position if this standard position description appropriately covers the incumbent’s work.

If the standard position description cannot be utilized, those sections of the position description that apply to the incumbent’s functions can be used to construct a non-standard position description.

Major Duties

¨ 1. Plans and undertakes special measurement and sampling studies. Coordinates the activities of numerous individuals to ensure that all special and standard equipment is available and functioning properly. Ensures that all individuals are fully briefed and understand their responsibilities. Reviews operations to ensure that the objectives of the study are accomplished. Performs highly specialized work in hydrologic investigations requiring considerable resourcefulness, initiative, and seasoned judgment.

¨ 2. Plans and schedules field and office work involving collection, computation, and analysis of data, and construction, installation, and maintenance of stations and equipment. Assigns work by setting priorities with the project objectives in mind. Reviews work and provides in-house training in data-collection, data compilation, data processing, and publication.

¨ 3. Collects and analyzes hydrologic data relating to one or more of the disciplinary fields (ground-water, surface-water, water-quality) using conventional and advanced techniques and instruments, determining apparent reasons for data anomalies, and correlating the wide variety of factors that affect the information presented. When standard methods are not applicable, works with others to modify them or to develop new methods. Applies a high degree of technical skill and judgment in evaluating and adapting collection procedures and recognizing conditions which affect the accuracy of obtaining complex data. Develops guidelines and instructions on procedures for field collection, automatic data processing, computer storage, and analysis of data. Instructs other employees in the more advanced methods of hydrologic data collection and computation, equipment characteristics, and the performance of field work following technical and safety guidelines. Conducts quality assurance/control reviews to assure that the data collection process is carried out in conformance with agency standards, providing technical advice and guidance on all aspects of data collection methods and equipment utilized.

¨ 4. Independently plans and directs the scheduling of staff for the collection of physical, chemical, biological, sediment, and other water-quality and related data needed to meet project objectives. Exercises technical abilities and experience in designing monitoring networks to collect required data, in selecting proper sampling equipment and techniques, in operating networks such that required data are collected, in providing for quality assurance and control, in providing for entry into appropriate data bases, and in providing for the publication of all related data.

¨ 5. Performs complex and highly technical computations, adjustments, and preparations required for using hydrologic data in the annual report and in special interpretive reports related to the appropriate project. Reviews similar work performed by other employees to ensure acceptable accuracy and conformance to agency standards. Develops or refines methodology for computing, presenting, screening, and verifying hydrologic data.

¨ 6. Serves as principal assistant to the project chief for special, normally data intensive projects and interpretive studies that require the incumbent to perform some modification of techniques or procedures. Applies knowledge of hydrologic principles and concepts to ensure the accuracy of data collected and their sound interpretation.

¨ 7. Reviews and analyzes hydrologic data collected and processed by other technicians in the District to assure acceptable accuracy and conformance to technical standards of the USGS. Designs and maintains systematic methods to assure proper quality control of data collection and processing procedures. Advises technical staff on the resolution of unusual data processing problems. Engages in all phases of the computation of hydrologic records and their preparation for publication. Performs a final review of all records before publication. Writes sections of the annual District Data Report.

¨ 8. Evaluates, selects, and purchases data-collection equipment and provides training on the installation, operation, and maintenance of the equipment. Provides for regular checking, maintenance, and repair of data-collection equipment and reviews equipment calibrating, operating, and maintenance procedures used by personnel collecting data. Trains personnel in the programming and application of this equipment. Makes complex equipment and instrument modifications as needed for special projects or unique problems that require use of a high degree of specialized mechanical skill, knowledge of electronics and use of electronic test equipment.

¨ 9. Independently makes reconnaissance surveys to determine best locations for water resources data collection stations, i.e., gaging stations, cableways, ground-water wells, or water quality monitors. Designs and develops cost estimates for site construction and/or equipment installation. Prepares maps, descriptions, and permission letters for new data collection installations. Designs and prepares plans and specifications for structures used in the collection of hydrologic data and frequently serves as party chief during construction. Trains personnel in the proper methods of construction. Plans, designs, and directs the upgrades of present stations.

¨ 10. Serves as NWIS database manager for one or more of the following: ADAPS, QWDATA, GWSI, WATER USE, Sitefile. Creates and maintains all data processing files for the system. Is responsible for the QA/QC of all data entered into the database, both from field personnel and/or from outside agencies. Prepares and approves data for publication in the annual Data Report. Provides instruction and guidance in the proper use of the database programs and data storage in compliance with USGS guidelines to personnel and cooperators. Designs and maintains information in the database for new and existing stations and related data descriptors and processors necessary to accurately store and compute the data. Serves as the primary contact for representatives of Federal, State, and local agencies in order to provide instruction and guidance in the usage of the programs and associated data.

¨ 11. Serves as the Decodes/Local Readout Ground Station (LRGS) Coordinator. Monitors the LRGS (satellite data receiver) operation and transmission of DCP station data daily to ensure uninterrupted data storage. Works with the computer unit in the maintenance of system programs and hardware. Reviews incoming data, checks performance and quality of the network. Quality controls the display of hydrologic data to the web. Notifies users of problems and provides guidance on how to resolve problems. Creates and maintains the station information and programs in the Decodes database.

¨ 12. Contacts representatives of Federal, State and local agencies to furnish data and describe the hydrologic data networks and to assess the quality and reliability of the exchanged data. Responds to requests for data, both routine data requests and requests requiring special analysis of data. Participates in conferences with cooperating officials and others as a representative of the District. Meets the public and answers requests for technical data. Consults with and advises district hydrologists on technical issues regarding data activities such as data availability and data collection and storage procedures.

¨ 13. Oversees all aspects of data-collection activities for the section. Assigns work loads and evaluates data-collection activities of lower grade technical personnel and hydrologists. These activities include both field and office work. Regularly informs section chief about status of data-collection activities.

Knowledge Required By the Position

Comprehensive practical knowledge of hydrologic principles and programs. Ability to plan, coordinate, integrate, and provide technical leadership to the full range of standard and non- standard hydrologic field activities and office procedures in order to collect, compute, and analyze hydrologic data. Applies seasoned judgement and recognized technical expertise in order to resolve unique hydrologic problems. Data compilation and computations require the ability to integrate hydrologic data from multiple sources, and customize and make non-routine interpretations of data in order to prepare datum corrections, plot and analyze hydrographs, transfer data to maps and reconstruct long periods of inconsistent or missing records. Knowledge of and ability to follow field and lab safety procedures.

Extensive knowledge of computer hardware and software programs in order to perform a wide range of activities related to the maintenance of hydrologic data, instrumentation and equipment such as the storage, manipulation and retrieval of data for complex reports or hydrologic inquiries, database administration, equipment program changes, or web programming and maintenance to display hydrologic information. Modifies in-house data collection enhancement programs. Alters database software to meet specialized records computation requirements. Creates methods to enhance the efficiency of data processing and data quality.

Extensive practical knowledge of electronic technology, equipment mechanics, instrumentation and/or field construction in order to plan, coordinate, integrate and provide technical leadership for field construction and/or the installation, operation, maintenance and calibration of a variety of complex electronic equipment and a wide range of hydrologic data-measuring instruments. Skill and ingenuity to modify techniques and conventional applications in order to accomplish assignment objectives under, at times, difficult field conditions or with limited resources; establish the sequence and timing of assignments, assess several alternatives, and formulate corrective measures to resolve problems arising from conflicting requirements.

Supervisory Controls

Works under the general direction of the supervisor or a higher graded employee. At the time assignments are made, employee is provided information on related work being performed that may impinge on his/her efforts. Assignments involving prescribed or standard methods are given in terms of objectives to be achieved. The employee uses initiative in independently accomplishing such assignments with the supervisor providing assistance in solving unfamiliar technical problems. Completed work is reviewed for accuracy and technical adequacy.

Guidelines

Guidelines include a series of manuals on techniques of water resources investigations (TWRI), WRD Data Reports Preparation Guide, agency procedural directives, oral instructions, standard accepted recording forms, protocols and previously established methods. The employee locates and selects the appropriate guidelines or procedure for assignments. Independently resolves problems by deviating from or adapting guides. Formulates and recommends revised approaches and procedures. Situations involving significant deviation from established guidelines are generally discussed with the supervisor for additional guidance.

Complexity

Work performed is of broad scope and complexity such that it requires the application of demonstrated and recognized ability to interpret, select, adapt, and apply many guidelines, precedents, and hydrologic principles and practices which relate to the area of specialization (GW, SW, QW, etc.). Work is complicated by the necessity for extensive planning, coordination and integration of various phases of projects or programs activities and/or the need for high degree of initiative and resourcefulness to resolve multiple problems requiring the application of considerable judgment to make sound technical compromises and decisions.

Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to collect, compute, compile, and analyze hydrologic data which increases the understanding of the hydrologic environment and to disseminate hydrologic data through reports and other mediums. Work efforts have an impact on the accuracy of reports and/or data resource management.

Personal Contacts

Personal contacts are with District personnel, other Federal, State, and local agencies and the public.

Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are chiefly to clarify or exchange information, to provide advice, to resolve problems related to the coordination of projects, and to provide technical training.

Physical Demands

¨ Field work is physically active and may include walking, bending, climbing rocky and steep terrain, wading streams, and lifting equipment weighing up to 100 pounds, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. Field work requires above-average dexterity.

¨ Office work is mainly sedentary.

Work Environment

¨ Field work exposes the incumbent to extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, extreme temperatures, etc., and hazards such as flooding, ice, and insect bites. Field work also involves moderate risks such as measuring from highway bridges, in swift streams, and from boats or cableways. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and incumbent typically wears a life jacket, reflective rain gear, safety glasses, etc. Field areas are often isolated and occasionally difficult to reach. Work performed in a laboratory setting involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, or unpleasantness such as irritant chemicals.

¨ Work is performed in standard office facilities.

OPM GS-1316, Hydrologic Technician Series, 04/71