This listing is a summary. Click 'Apply for this job' to view the complete posting and apply on USAJobs.gov.
Open: May 29, 2026 — Closes: June 4, 2026
Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? Salary: $107,510 (Step 01) to $139,764 (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
Major Duties
As a Supervisory Physical Scientist within the Water Mission Area, Observing Systems Division, some of your specific duties will include: Supervising engineering, electronics, and fabrication staff responsible for testing and evaluating hydrologic instrumentation. Overseeing laboratory and shop operations supporting engineering testing and prototype fabrication of monitoring equipment. Developing and implementing testing plans and quality assurance procedures for instrumentation used in hydrologic data collection. Evaluating instrumentation performance and preparing technical reports communicating findings to stakeholders. Overseeing electrical and mechanical engineering activities supporting the testing, evaulation, and development of hydrologic instrumentation and monitoring technologies. Conditions of Employment for this Position: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.