Hydrologic Technician (Field Assistant)

Geological Survey • Multiple Locations • $17.54 - $25.49 / hour • 1d ago

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Open: April 2, 2026 — Closes: April 15, 2026

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: Ferndale, Washington: $19.61 hourly (Step 01) to $25.49 hourly (Step 10) Spokane, Washington: $17.54 hourly (Step 01) to $22.80 hourly (Step 10) Tacoma, Washington: $19.61 hourly (Step 01) to $25.49 hourly (Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Major Duties

Duration of Appointment: This is a temporary excepted service position not-to-exceed 1 year but may be extended without further competition. Employment may not exceed 1,039 hours in a service year. All qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to this position, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Resume Length: Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. As a Hydrologic Technician (Field Assistant) within the Northwest Pacific Island Region Water Science Center, some of your specific duties will include: Collects surface water, groundwater, and water quality data from gaging stations, wells, and monitoring sites using established hydrologic methods. Performs laboratory analyses of water samples to determine sediment, chemical, biological, and physical characteristics. Operates and maintains hydrologic measurement and recording instruments, ensuring accurate setup, servicing, and data capture. Follows detailed procedural guidelines and works under close supervision, with assignments reviewed for accuracy and adherence to instructions Drives government vehicles for field activities and performs routine field tasks requiring attention to detail and awareness of unusual conditions affecting data accuracy Physical Demands: The work regularly requires considerable dexterity, agility, and strenuous physical exertion such as that needed to: climb, or work from, tall ladders or scaffolding; work in areas where footing is treacherous such as on slippery river banks, in steep or rocky terrain, and in fast-moving water; lift heavy objects weighing 23 kilograms (over 50 pounds) or more; crouch or crawl in constricted areas; and defend oneself or others against physical attack. Work Environment: The work is performed outdoors and involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy stream and rivers. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee typically wears life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and reflective rain gear.