Interdisciplinary, GS-XXXX-15 (14930)

Announcement Type

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

USACE Organization

Institute for Water Resources (IWR)

Locations (City, State)

Davis, CA; Jacksonville, FL; Sausalito, CA; St. Paul, MN; St. Louis, MO; Walla Walla, WA; Fairbanks, AK; Tulsa, OK; Lakewood, CO

Position Overview/Duties

Serves as the Programs Leader within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC)—a designated nationwide Technical Center of Expertise (CX). In this capacity, you will lead nationwide and international efforts to advance flood risk management, hydrologic and hydraulic engineering, water management enterprise systems, consequence estimation, and industry-standard software engineering tools and practices.

• Serve as a national and international level technical authority in engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, economics, ecological analysis, and risk assessment per authority delegated by Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) / Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA-CW).
• Direct nationwide technical methodologies for estimating flood and infrastructure risks, consequence modeling (life safety, economic impact, critical infrastructure), public warning systems, and disaster response planning.
• Oversee development, enhancement, and sustainment of industry-standard Automated Information Systems (AIS), including the Corps Water Management System (CWMS), Water Management Enterprise System (WMES), and Science and Engineering Technology (SET) applications.
• Resolve highly controversial, unprecedented, or complex water resources issues requiring high-level interpretation of statutory language and technical policies.
• Direct and execute technical assistance and capacity-building programs on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Department of State for international partners and developing nations.
• Author, review, and approve authoritative technical papers, journal articles, regulations, and engineering manuals, ensuring scientific integrity across agency and peer-reviewed publications.
• Provide expert briefings, impact statements, and technical testimony to USACE leadership, Congressional committees, and interagency forums.
• Serve as a senior consultant and advisor to Headquarters USACE (HQUSACE), the HEC Director, Division Chiefs, and USACE Major Subordinate Commands (MSCs) and Districts on critical and contentious water resources engineering issues.
• Drive the infusion of state-of-the-art scientific theories and emerging technologies into USACE operational policies, engineering guidelines, and research programs.
• Represent USACE, the Department of the Army, and DoD on national and international technical committees, interagency task forces (e.g., FEMA, NOAA, USGS, USBR, FERC, EPA), and professional engineering societies (e.g., ASCE, ASFPM).
• Establish and update national criteria, technical guidelines, and standard operating procedures for hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, reservoir operations, and dam and levee safety.
• Serve as a Team Leader providing strategic direction and technical coaching to multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, economists, and software developers.
• Balance, distribute, and adjust workloads across projects; set priorities, establish milestones, and monitor deliverables to ensure high-quality standards and timely execution.
• Coach and mentor staff in modern engineering problem-solving methodologies, technical writing, and emerging software development practices.
• Facilitate consensus-building, resolve workplace challenges, and coordinate with supervisory management regarding resource needs, accomplishments, and team performance.
• Partner and negotiate technical solutions with other federal agencies, state and local water authorities, academia, and industry partners to achieve consensus on complex water resource studies.
• Conduct regular technical exchanges with foreign government officials and international institutions to foster global water resources resilience and cooperation.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts, risk assessments, and regulatory guidelines to public stakeholders, community leaders, and non-technical audiences.

Other Conditions and Requirements

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:

Economist Series, 0110: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/economist-series-0110/

All Professional Engineering Positions, 0800: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

General Physical Science Series, 1301: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

Hydrology Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/hydrology-series-1315/

Meteorology Series: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/

Minimum Experience Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service which includes:

• Provides senior-level technical advice on complex or controversial issues, evaluates alternatives, and/or develops innovative solutions to problems not addressed by established procedures or guidance.
• Develops technical guidance, standards, policies, procedures, and/or analytical methodologies to improve program effectiveness, consistency, and quality.
• Leads teams in planning and executing complex projects by establishing priorities, balancing workloads, monitoring progress, resolving issues, and evaluating completed work to ensure quality and timely results.
• Coordinates with senior leaders, government agencies, industry representatives, academic institutions, contractors, and other stakeholders to communicate technical information, resolve issues, influence decisions, and develop consensus on complex program matters.

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.
• 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).
• 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.

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.