Civil Engineer (Hydraulics), GS-0810-9/11/12/13 (24109)

INTRODUCTION: Serves as a staff-level hydraulic engineer developing new approaches, computational methods, and analytical techniques to solve complex riverine, floodplain, and urban hydraulic engineering problems encountered by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) field offices. Provides hydraulic engineering, numerical modeling, and technical planning expertise to USACE and its partners. As a member of the Hydraulic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) team, support nationwide water-resources management by advancing the Corps’ technical capability in one- and two-dimensional river hydraulics, sediment transport, dam and levee safety, floodplain mapping, and infrastructure risk assessment. This includes a leadership role in research, development, application, technical assistance, and training associated with the industry-leading HEC-RAS software and related analytical procedures. HEC also provides leadership in improving the state of practice in hydraulic engineering through technical training programs for USACE personnel and partners. Such responsibilities require broad knowledge of hydraulic engineering, numerical methods, and water-resources management.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT/DUTIES:

1. Studies: Conducts independent hydraulic engineering investigations and analyses for assigned projects. Serves as a member of a team of specialists when projects are extensive, multidisciplinary, or of an urgent nature. Investigations typically involve problem definition, scoping, development and application of hydraulic models, calibration and validation, evaluation of alternatives, interpretation of results, and documentation of methods and findings. Provides assistance to USACE offices and other agencies by organizing and directing investigations that resolve complex hydraulic engineering problems, including riverine and floodplain hydraulics, bridge and culvert hydraulics, dam and levee safety, sediment transport, channel processes, and inundation mapping. Assignments require broad experience to analyze complex and varied hydraulic problems occurring throughout the United States. Maintains knowledge of recent technical advances in hydraulic engineering, numerical methods, and computational modeling. Keeps abreast of pertinent policies, regulations, and practices used by HEC and USACE.

2. Software Development Leads or contributes substantially to development of HEC-RAS, the Corps’ hydraulic modeling software, to provide robust, scalable, and state-of-the-art tools for the engineering community. Identifies technical requirements and develops maintainable software designs for new capabilities and enhancements, including one- and two-dimensional hydraulic modeling, sediment transport, water quality, hydraulic structures, dam- and levee-related analyses, and mapping and visualization. Applies sound numerical methods, software-engineering practices, and version-control procedures to develop reliable, extensible, and efficient computational capabilities. Develops and executes unit, integration, regression, and performance tests to verify numerical correctness, preserve existing functionality, and ensure that software results are technically defensible. Reviews software designs, source code, test results, and releases for technical adequacy and quality assurance. Prepares clear user guides, technical reference materials, tutorials, example projects, and training content that enable users to correctly apply new and existing HEC-RAS capabilities. Coordinates with technical leads, subject-matter experts, and users to prioritize development, incorporate feedback, and support effective delivery of HEC-RAS software.

3. Information Transfer. Plans, organizes, and directs HEC training classes and other technical training for Corps offices as part of the overall HEC training program. Develops course content, agendas, exercises, and manuals; arranges for HEC and guest lecturers; and serves as moderator and coordinator during courses. Courses typically are one week in duration and provide instruction in applied hydraulic engineering and water-resources analysis, with emphasis on development, review, and application of HEC-RAS models. Courses provide foundational instruction for trainees as well as advanced training for engineers performing complex hydraulic analyses, including one- and two-dimensional modeling, flood-inundation mapping, hydraulic-structure analysis, sediment transport, and model quality assurance.

4. Activities in Support of Technical Functions. Coordinates and interacts with representatives of USACE offices, Headquarters USACE, USACE laboratories, other Federal and non-Federal agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, state water-resource agencies, major universities, consultants, and foreign visitors on hydraulic engineering programs, policy, and technical matters. Represents HEC and the HEC-RAS team in discussions concerning hydraulic modeling methods, software capability and development priorities, model application, flood-risk management, dam and levee safety, and water-resources engineering practice. Speaks and deals responsibly on the technical aspects of HEC programs and policy pertinent to hydraulic engineering, HEC-RAS, and water-resources planning and management. Participates in technical working groups, peer reviews, conferences, and collaborative research activities that advance the state of practice in hydraulic engineering and support the Corps’ nationwide water-resources mission.

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 the competitive service. Veterans' preference does not apply to this announcement.

WHO MAY APPLY: US Citizens.

Minimum Education Requirement:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (El), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.

4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

Minimum Experience Requirement:

GS-09 Qualification Requirements:

I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes experience providing assistance in developing hydrologic analysis and hydraulic solutions for water resources projects or water management.

OR

A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have at least one year of graduate education as described in B, but less than the required two 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 graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. 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-11 Qualification Requirements:

I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal service which includes experience in developing hydrologic and hydraulic analysis solutions for water resources projects or water management.

OR

Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to Civil Engineering or a closely related field, which has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts for verification of your education).

OR

Some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have less than three years of graduate-level education as described in B. 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 by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify) (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts for verification of your education).

GS-12 Qualification requirements:

I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal service which includes experience directly related to this occupation which includes performing studies in selected aspects of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to develop and present the results for specific projects.

GS-13 Qualification requirements:

I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service which includes: Planning, leading, and conducting complex hydrologic and hydraulic engineering investigations, including river hydraulics, sediment transport, water surface profile modeling, and reservoir system operations. Applying, testing, and defining requirements for advanced hydraulic and hydrologic numerical models and engineering software to resolve complex water resource problems. Providing technical advisory services, developing technical documentation or training materials, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders on flood risk management and water resources engineering studies.

Other Requirements, Conditions of Employment and information:

• How to Apply: Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:45 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration. Click the apply button, follow the prompts (fill out the required collect form, attach a resume following the resume format guidance).
• All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• A trial or probationary period may be required.
• Hiring incentives such as a recruitment/relocation bonus, service credit for leave, and student loan repayment may be authorized (subject to available budget).
• Relocation (PCS) expenses may be authorized (subject to available budget) if the selecting official determines the relocation is in the best interests of the government.
• If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation).
• The incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Financial Disclosure Report upon entering on duty in this position and annually thereafter.
• 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• This position may be eligible for situational telework.