Survey Technician

Summary

About the Position: Serve as a Hydrographic Survey Technician responsible for conducting hydrographic surveys utilizing multi beam and single beam sonar equipment, processing collected data, and presenting data in the required formats for delivery to end users. This position is located in Pittsburgh, PA

Duties

• The below duties are at the full performance level of the GS -11. The lower grades perform developmental assignments under closer than normal supervision. Assignments become progressively more difficult until the next performance level is reached.
• Serve as a field expert for hydrographic survey operations to conduct a variety of surveys in diverse and potentially complex situations.
• Collect and edit single/multi beam data ensuring accuracy by performing overlap checks and comparisons following standardized software processes of quality assurance. Deliver end products to include contours, mapping, and volume computations.
• Operate and perform minor maintenance for equipment required to perform hydrographic (single beam or multi beam) surveys.
• Technical advisor responsible for developing new or modifying existing field data collection procedures utilizing the latest emerging technologies to develop innovative methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of surveying methods, concepts, policies, precedents, principles, and techniques related to hydrographic surveys.
• Coordinate with supervisors, managers, engineers, scientists, and other professionals to determine survey requirements and scope.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army) Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer People with Disabilities, Schedule A Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document GS 08 Specialized Experience: providing support with conducting hydrographic surveys, applying the application of CADD or GIS technology in the preparation of deliverables, and utilizing computers and computer applications to download and process hydrographic survey data. This is equivalent to the GS 7 level in the federal government. OR Education Substitution: successfully completed one and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education (above a bachelor degree) in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as surveying, engineering, construction, or industrial technology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination Education and Experience: specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have some graduate level education as described in B, but less than the required one and a half 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 semester hours minus 18) by 9. 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 09 Specialized Experience: providing support with the collection of hydrographic data utilizing multi-beam or single-beam sonar, processing of hydrographic data sets, providing support with performing surveys in accordance with laws and regulations, assisting in planning, scheduling, and directing various stages of a survey, and processing survey data inside a hydrographic software environment including contour creation and map preparation. This is equivalent to the GS 8 level in the federal government. GS-10 Specialized Experience: conducting hydrographic surveys utilizing multi-beam or single beam sonar units, providing support with conducting site visits to determine scope of project, and collecting and analyzing hydrographic survey data for adequacy based on scope of project. This is equivalent to the GS 9 level in the federal government. GS-11 Specialized Experience: conducting hydrographic surveys utilizing multi-beam or single beam sonar units, conducting site visits to determine scope of project, developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, and serving as liaison between customers and projects. This is equivalent to the GS 10 level in the federal government. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For grades 9-11 you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted. Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade. For the GS 08-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-07). For the GS 09-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-08). For the GS 10-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-09). For the GS 11-- 52 weeks at the next lower grade.(GS-10).

Education

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/.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13065214 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/01/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980562523540-USA-Hire-Assessments To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.