Summary

Serves as a Survey Technician, assigned to the Survey Function, Engineering Services Division, Engineering Department of the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). Performs a wide variety of surveying assignments in support of operations and maintenance activities while stationed at USIBWC.

OPEN UNTIL FILLED. MAY BE EXTENDED/CLOSED PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE. INITIAL CUT OFF FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION IS 12/12/2023. OTHER CUTOFF DATES WILL BE DETERMINED AS NEEDED.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management
  
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities
  
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles), Certain Military Spouses, Former Overseas Employees, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista, Schedule A, certain Land Management Eligibles, Veterans, and the Public.

Duties

• Applies land surveying techniques and methods using established policies and procedures.
• Measures azimuth, reference, and station marks.
• Takes prism or rod profile readings in the river using a boat or by wading from shore.
• Runs traverse lines for location or relocation of levees, canals, drains, riverbanks, or river channel center lines.
• Prepares sketches and drawings using survey notes to depict rights-of-way, easements, fence lines, and construction areas.
• Uses computer software to create and write reports from researched and collected survey data.
• Establishes and maintains a professional work relationship with stakeholders.
• Operates a motor vehicle, such as a passenger van and sedan.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
• Status Candidates Only: You must meet one or more criteria in the Area of Consideration section.
• You must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation.
• You must complete and successfully pass the DHS required E-Verify employment verification check.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You must possess and maintain a valid A, B, C or D, U.S. Motor Vehicle Driver License, without impeding restrictions, that a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory has issued.
• You must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• You may be exposed to viruses and bacteria; upon the incumbent's request, they may receive preventative vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid Fever, Tuberculosis, and Tetanus at the agency's expense.
• You will be required to complete an Immunization Declaration Form.
• You may be required you to work overtime.
• You must be able to lift and carry up to 44 pounds unassisted, and over 44 pounds with assistance.
• You must be able to sustain periods of substantial walking, bending, stooping, standing, crouching, stretching, and reaching; the pre-employment medical examination will evaluate all such requirements.
• You may be subject to unfavorable conditions that include high and low temperature extremes, and excessive winds.
• You may be required to operate a boat in open water and in wading streams, in various types of water and flow conditions.
• You may be required to travel for official business, with overnight stay up to 15% of the time.

Qualifications

Qualifications for initial cutoff date must be met by 12/12/2023.

Minimum Qualification Requirement - To qualify for this position, you must have: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent pay bands or obtained in either the public or private sector.

Examples of specialized experience: knowledge of surveying techniques and methods in the measurement or determination of distances, elevations, area, angles, and land boundaries; ability to operate surveying equipment, ability to use computer software related to surveying instruments to download and produce accurate data, ability to perform mathematic computations for area, distance, elevation, volume, etc.; skill in operating sighting instruments and electronic distance measuring equipment such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) total station, electronic data recorder, self-leveling level, transit, precise levels; skill in using tools such as a chainsaw and machete, and common hand tools such as a pic axe, shovel, and post hole digger; operating various motor vehicles such as a sedan or pick up; operating a motor boat. Additional experience may include work as an engineering technician, soil conservation technician, or construction inspector.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications..

For Merit Promotion (MP)/Status Applicants Only: Time in Grade (TIG): Current and former Federal employees must have a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible under Merit Promotion procedures. An SF-50 must be provided that verifies eligibility as stated in the Area of Consideration section.

Your resume must have complete information: Please ensure your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.

Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.

Education

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

Additional information

• If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (member-4 copy) or other proof of eligibility that shows the dates you were on active duty and your character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are claiming Disabled Veterans' preference you must also submit documentation of disability (i.e. VA Disability Verification Letter) and the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference." For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov ).
• The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated in well-qualified by scoring 85 or higher on the assessment for this vacancy. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
• The hiring agency may use this announcement to fill similar positions that become vacant in the near future.

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a qualifications review will be conducted. Resumes and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify eligibility and determine qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your rating will be based on the responses to the assessment questionnaire and the information provided in your resume. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. This could cause you to lose consideration for this position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on your entire application and the extent to which you demonstrate the following competencies and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Operation of surveying equipment
• Survey Techniques and Methods

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 per cent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  All applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application package:
  
  
  • Resume: Your resume MUST state complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package will be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer be considered for this position.
  • Completed on-line occupational questionnaire.
  • Driver License: This position requires a valid U.S. driver license, without impeding restrictions, issued by a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, you MUST submit a copy of your driver license, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.
  
  Proof of eligibility for Status Candidates as described under the Area of Consideration section:
  
  
  • Merit Promotion/Current or former federal civilian employees MUST submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the job title, series, grade, position occupied, and tenure to verify eligibility for merit promotion appointment. If you fail to submit a copy of your SF-50, your application will be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
  • Time in Grade Restriction: Current or former federal civilian employees MUST submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action(s), indicating the job title, series, grade, position occupied, and tenure that demonstrates a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level in the federal GG/GS pay system or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. If you fail to submit a copy of your SF-50, your application will be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
  • Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): You must submit a copy of your DD-214 that states the nature of discharge (member 4 copy preferred). To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated, and have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service, or be a preference eligible.
  
  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) / Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP) (if applicable): In addition to your Resume and complete Occupational Questionnaire you MUST submit:
  
  
  • 1) proof that you are a displaced federal employee, e.g., Reduction in Force (RIF) letter, Separation Notice, etc.; and
  • 2) an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, position occupied, tenure, and duty location; and
  • 3) your most recent employee performance evaluation.
  
  All Applicants Claiming Veterans' Preference should include the following documents as part of the application package:
  
  
  • All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active-Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
  • Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating and completed SF-15.
  • Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and the documentation required by that form Veterans' Preference: For more information and/or to determine if you are eligible for Veterans' Preference, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx (for veterans) or www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx (for family members). Below is a website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214 online: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ and the documentation required by that form.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
  
  The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/12/2023 to receive consideration for the first cut-off for applications. Additional cut-off dates will be determined as needed.
  
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12215017
  
  To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  USIBWC HRO
  
  Email
  
  HRO-Recruitment_Classification@ibwc.gov
  
  Address
  
  United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
  
  4191 N. Mesa Street
  
  El Paso, TX 79902
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
  
  You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

All applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application package:

• Resume: Your resume MUST state complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package will be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer be considered for this position.
• Completed on-line occupational questionnaire.
• Driver License: This position requires a valid U.S. driver license, without impeding restrictions, issued by a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, you MUST submit a copy of your driver license, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.

Proof of eligibility for Status Candidates as described under the Area of Consideration section:

• Merit Promotion/Current or former federal civilian employees MUST submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the job title, series, grade, position occupied, and tenure to verify eligibility for merit promotion appointment. If you fail to submit a copy of your SF-50, your application will be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
• Time in Grade Restriction: Current or former federal civilian employees MUST submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action(s), indicating the job title, series, grade, position occupied, and tenure that demonstrates a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level in the federal GG/GS pay system or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. If you fail to submit a copy of your SF-50, your application will be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
• Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): You must submit a copy of your DD-214 that states the nature of discharge (member 4 copy preferred). To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated, and have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service, or be a preference eligible.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) / Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP) (if applicable): In addition to your Resume and complete Occupational Questionnaire you MUST submit:

• 1) proof that you are a displaced federal employee, e.g., Reduction in Force (RIF) letter, Separation Notice, etc.; and
• 2) an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, position occupied, tenure, and duty location; and
• 3) your most recent employee performance evaluation.

All Applicants Claiming Veterans' Preference should include the following documents as part of the application package:

• All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active-Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
• Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating and completed SF-15.
• Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and the documentation required by that form Veterans' Preference: For more information and/or to determine if you are eligible for Veterans' Preference, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx (for veterans) or www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx (for family members). Below is a website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214 online: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ and the documentation required by that form.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/12/2023 to receive consideration for the first cut-off for applications. Additional cut-off dates will be determined as needed.

• Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
• To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12215017

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

Agency contact information

USIBWC HRO

Email

HRO-Recruitment_Classification@ibwc.gov

Address

United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission

4191 N. Mesa Street

El Paso, TX 79902

US

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.

You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request