U.S. Department of Agriculture
Civil Engineer/Agricultural Engineer
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Red Oak, Iowa, United States, 51566
**The closing date of this announcement has been extended to 09/27/2024.**
This position is located in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service state, area, or field office within a designated state.
The incumbent assists the area/zone or similar engineer and is responsible for providing basic technical guidance in the overall planning, design, installation, and maintenance of the engineering phases of soil and water conservation practices.
Duties:Develops preliminary and final designs for structures of varying engineering complexity. Makes site investigations and field construction checks of approved practice design installations.Planning, design and construction of engineering practices such as water management, animal waste management, erosion control, flood control, wetland creation or restoration, and other conservation practices needing engineering guidance.Interprets plans and specifications for contractors, solving problems at local level as to proper interpretation of specifications.Coordinates and conducts necessary quality assurance reviews of planned, designed, and constructed engineering projects in the assigned area/state.Provides training to conservation contractors and others assisting with the planning and application of conservation practices.Provides technical guidance and training to personnel in the area of all engineering practices and in the use and care of engineering equipment.
Requirements:You must be a US Citizen or US National.Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at
E-Verify .Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Basic Education Requirement:Degree:
Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by
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
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:Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.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, and Puerto Rico.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 the basic requirements under paragraph A.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 bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered for the GS-9/11 level:
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as providing technical assistance and guidance in the overall planning, design, installation, and maintenance of engineering practices for soil and water conservation programs; conducting quality assurance reviews of planned, designed, and constructed engineering projects to recommend ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of products or services provided to internal and external customers;
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience:
Two full years of progressively higher graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree in engineering or related field;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-11, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as independently providing technical assistance and guidance in the overall planning, design, and installation of simple to moderately complex engineering practices, assisting senior engineers with quality assurance reviews of constructed engineering projects to recommend ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of products or services provided to external customers, making suggestions for modifications to established policies, precedents and procedures by utilizing engineering principles, practices and techniques; and/or providing interpretation to local government employees and other personnel regarding engineering policies, standards, and procedures;
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in engineering or related field study.
Combination of Education and Experience:
A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.#J-18808-Ljbffr
This position is located in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service state, area, or field office within a designated state.
The incumbent assists the area/zone or similar engineer and is responsible for providing basic technical guidance in the overall planning, design, installation, and maintenance of the engineering phases of soil and water conservation practices.
Duties:Develops preliminary and final designs for structures of varying engineering complexity. Makes site investigations and field construction checks of approved practice design installations.Planning, design and construction of engineering practices such as water management, animal waste management, erosion control, flood control, wetland creation or restoration, and other conservation practices needing engineering guidance.Interprets plans and specifications for contractors, solving problems at local level as to proper interpretation of specifications.Coordinates and conducts necessary quality assurance reviews of planned, designed, and constructed engineering projects in the assigned area/state.Provides training to conservation contractors and others assisting with the planning and application of conservation practices.Provides technical guidance and training to personnel in the area of all engineering practices and in the use and care of engineering equipment.
Requirements:You must be a US Citizen or US National.Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at
E-Verify .Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Basic Education Requirement:Degree:
Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by
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
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:Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.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, and Puerto Rico.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 the basic requirements under paragraph A.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 bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered for the GS-9/11 level:
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as providing technical assistance and guidance in the overall planning, design, installation, and maintenance of engineering practices for soil and water conservation programs; conducting quality assurance reviews of planned, designed, and constructed engineering projects to recommend ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of products or services provided to internal and external customers;
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience:
Two full years of progressively higher graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree in engineering or related field;
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-11, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as independently providing technical assistance and guidance in the overall planning, design, and installation of simple to moderately complex engineering practices, assisting senior engineers with quality assurance reviews of constructed engineering projects to recommend ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of products or services provided to external customers, making suggestions for modifications to established policies, precedents and procedures by utilizing engineering principles, practices and techniques; and/or providing interpretation to local government employees and other personnel regarding engineering policies, standards, and procedures;
OR
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in engineering or related field study.
Combination of Education and Experience:
A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.#J-18808-Ljbffr