# United States Department of the Interior![](media/image1.png){width="1.0979166666666667in" height="0.975in"}

# Bureau of Land Management -- *Nevada*

P. O. Box 12000 (1340 Financial Blvd)

Reno, Nevada 89520-0006

www.nv.blm.gov

# Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

**Student Trainee (Hydrologist)**

+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| # Occu                  | GS-1399-04/05/07                           |
| pational Series & Grade |                                            |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Hourly Range**        | \$12.36 to \$17.13 per hour                |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Vacancy Number**      | BLM-NV-07-SCEP-003                         |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Open Date**           | February 20, 2007                          |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Close Date**          | **April 24, 2007 (Extended)**              |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Number of Positions** | 1 (One)                                    |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Duty Location**       | Winnemucca Field Office (Winnemucca,       |
|                         | Nevada)                                    |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| **Who May Apply**       | Open to All Qualified Students             |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in *Nevada* is seeking currently
enrolled students pursuing a degree in physical or natural science (or
engineering that include at least 30 semester hours in courses related
to hydrology). Students who are committed to their academic goals,
highly motivated, energetic, flexible and adaptable are encouraged to
apply. The Selecting Official (or supervisor) is in need of qualified
[student]{.underline} candidates to fill one (1) **Student Trainee
(Hydrologist)** position in the Winnemucca Field Office, Division of
Non-Renewable Resources, and the Minerals Team.

The public lands managed by the Winnemucca Field Office are
approximately 8.3 million acres, which includes all of Humboldt and
Pershing counties and portions of three other counties, including the
communities of Winnemucca, McDermitt, Lovelock and Gerlach. The presence
of large scale mining operations for locatable minerals, widespread
low-to-moderate temperature geothermal areas, widespread grazing
activity, a large population of wild horse and burros, and the presence
of several listed and candidate threatened or endangered species are
among the issues providing the potential for significant conflicts with
other resources and multiple-use land management concepts.

The Student Career Experience Program and the **Student Trainee
(Hydrologist)** position will allow for the continued pursuit of the
degree, while also allowing for periods of on-the-job work experience
(schedule to be discussed and agreed upon with the supervisor) with the
agency to ensure the acquisition of the appropriate knowledge, skills,
and abilities to eventually perform the duties of a Hydrologist.

## [About the Position]{.underline}

Because the nature of this position is a student training one, the
incumbent work assignments will be designed to provide an orientation to
the BLM and instruction on: policies, regulations, procedures; and the
organization's programs and operations, particularly with regard to the
Field Office and program assigned. In addition, the incumbent will be
provided work assignments that are designed to provide on-the-job
specialized work experience targeted to the full-performance duties of
the Hydrologist listed below, as well as training to complement the
academic field of study. The objective of this Student Trainee program
is that at end of the training and completion of all academic program
requirements, the incumbent will be on track to perform as a fully
functional Hydrologist at the appropriate grade level(s); and will be
able to demonstrate understanding, progression and mastery of the
positions required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

-   Performs a variety of surface management and hydro-geologic duties
    that provide advisory, planning, or reviewing services for specific
    problems, projects, programs, and functions; as well as reviews and
    supports compliance clearances for other BLM activities and
    programs.

-   Participates in the development of Field Office guidelines,
    procedures, and instructions for the hydrologic aspects of
    significant minerals management, which involve activities under any
    of the following regulations: 43 CFR 3100, Oil and Gas Leasing and
    Operations; 43 CFR 3200 Geothermal Resources Leasing and Operations;
    43 CFR 3600 Disposal of Mineral Materials; 43 CFR 3715, Use and
    Occupancy under the General Mining Law; and 43 CFR 3809 Surface
    Management of Operations under the General Mining Law.

-   Facilitates the development of locatable mineral resources by
    reviewing exploration proposals, drilling plans, development plans,
    mining plans, reclamation plans and other related plans or their
    amendments for compliance with regulatory requirements. The scale
    and scope of the proposals will vary from fractions of an acre to
    hundreds of acres, and from very simple exploration to the
    authorization of large and complex mining proposals.

-   Works (individually or with team) with other relevant professionals
    to review hydrologic evaluations and predictions in connection with
    proposals from other resource management programs, including other
    mineral exploration or development proposals; land classification;
    realty actions; range improvement; wildlife habitat enhancements;
    other water developments; and resource planning.

**[Duty Location]{.underline}**

The incumbent of this Student Trainee position will primarily be duty
stationed at the Winnemucca Field Office (Winnemucca, Nevada). To learn
more about the Winnemucca community, please visit
<http://www.winnemucca.nv.us/>.

**[Basic Qualification Requirements and Basis for Rating]{.underline}**

All applicants will be rated on the basis of academic success and/or any
creditable and previous [specialized]{.underline} work experience
relevant to the **Student Trainee (Hydrologist)** position. Relevant
academic training includes curriculum coursework in physical or natural
science (or engineering that include at least 30.0 semester hours in any
combination of courses relevant to hydrology); while relevant
specialized experience includes application of hydrologic field or
laboratory work; and internships/field studies that allowed for
operating hydrologic instruments to collect, interpret, and report date.
To qualify for a **Student Trainee (Hydrologist)** position vacancy by
way of the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) excepted service
hiring authority, the information provided below will be used to
consider, evaluate, and determine eligibility in accordance with the
Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for the
Occupational Series (1315) and the BLM Qualification Standards for the
SCEP Program.

The academic qualifications required for this position at the varying
grade-levels are as follows:

***To qualify at the GS-04 level (\$25,797 annually or \$12.36
hourly):*** Successful completion of two (2) years (60.0 semester hours)
of post high school study or an associate's degree.\
\
***To qualify at the GS-05 level (\$28,862 annually or \$13.83
hourly):*** Successful completion of a four (4) academic years (120.0
semester hours) of post high school study leading to a bachelor's degree
or completion of four (4) academic years of pre-professional study.

***To qualify at the GS-07 level (\$35,752 annually or \$17.13
hourly):*** Successful completion of one (1) academic year
(undergraduate degree plus 18.0 semester hours) of graduate level
education or bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (3.5
GPA), or five (5) academic years (150.0 semester hours) of
pre-professional study.

***Combination of Education and Specialized Experience:*** Combinations
of education and specialized work experience are qualifying for grade
levels GS-04 through GS-07. For specialized work experience to be
creditable, it must have equipped the applicant with the particular
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the major
duties of the above position, and that is typically in or related to the
work of the position to be filled. For specialized work experience to be
considered, be sure to provide detailed information (dates, timelines),
any previous specialized experience directly related to the position,
and its major duties. Qualifying specialized experience may include work
as a hydrology aid/technician; civil engineering aid/technician; team
member of monitoring/surveying field crew; or the application of
practical hydrological field work, using appropriate sampling techniques
and report preparation.

**[Conditions of Employment]{.underline}**

-   Must be a United States citizen and at least 18 years of age or
    older.

-   Must have a valid state driver's license (for any state in the
    country); and a willingness to drive 2- and 4-wheel drive vehicles
    and equipment (i.e. truck, SUV, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle,
    etc.).

-   **[Male]{.underline}** applicants born after December 31, 1959, must
    certify that they have registered with the

Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the
Selective Service Law.

-   All Federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal
    payments made by Direct Deposit. Meaning all appointees must have a
    pre-established bank account to which all payroll checks may be
    deposited directly.

-   Selectees of the position cannot hold an active real estate license,
    and cannot have an interest in Federal lands, or hold stock in firms
    that have an interest in Federal lands.

-   If selected, the appointment will be tentative pending the
    successfully passing of a criminal background investigation. A
    failure to pass the investigation will prohibit Federal employment.

-   Selectees must enter into a contract or student working agreement in
    order for the appointment to be finalized and valid.

-   Good writing and verbal communication skills with a diversity of
    people and groups.

-   Technically sound computer skills and ability to learn new systems,
    applications, and equipment.

-   Ability to read and interpret maps (land status and topographic).

-   Work well independently and with a team both indoors and outdoors.

-   Work well in a fast-paced and stressful environment.

-   Follow written and verbal directions well.

-   Must be willing to work flexible work schedules in a variety of
    environments. Will involve outdoor work in rural locations (i.e.
    wildlife, rough/rugged terrain) and varying climatic conditions
    (i.e. cold, dry/hot, rainy, snowy).

-   Must be able to maneuver and operate primarily in an outdoor
    environment, which may include long periods of standing and walking;
    bending, crouching, stooping, stretching or reaching to observe
    occurrences or place and retrieve equipment or devices; lifting and
    moving moderately heavy items (e.g. related work equipment such as
    monument stakes, survey equipment, equipment batteries, etc.).

**[Nature of Appointment]{.underline}**

This Student Trainee appointment will be made under the provisions of
the Student Career Experience Program. Such an appointment will be
excepted service appointment which will require entering into a contract
or student working agreement. At the end of the Student Trainee program,
the incumbent may be non-competitively converted in the competitive
service to a career, career-conditional, or term appointment.

**[Program Benefits]{.underline}**

## The incumbent of this position will be eligible for the following: earn annual and sick leave; earn holiday pay; eligible for enrollment in the federal health and life insurance; retirement programs; and tuition assistance. In addition, acquire valuable and professional work experience and training.

## [How to Apply and Contact Information]{.underline}

In order to be considered for the position, an applicant must submit the
following:

1\. **Cover letter** that includes your short- and long-term career
goals and objectives.

2\. **Personal Resume** or Official Form -- 612, Optional Application
for Federal Employment. If submitting a Personal Resume, it must be
complete (refer to Official Form -- 510, Applying for a Federal Job;
<http://www.opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp>). Your resume must include full
name, social security number, valid and permanent mailing address, work
and home phone numbers, cell phone (if applicable), e-mail address (if
applicable), the dates (Mo/Day/Yr) of your work experience, training and
education, etc. Your Social Security Number (SSN) is requested under the
authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from
those of other applicants\' who may have the same name. If you choose to
complete the OF-612 form, you may download it from the **Office of
Personnel Management website** at
<http://www.opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp>.

3\. **Three valid references.** References must include contact name,
title and association, address, and daytime phone. All reference should
not be academic; if applicable, include work references as well.

4\. Copy of **most recent college transcript** that includes the
following: degree program, fall 2006 grades, spring 2007 course
schedule, and a cumulative academic grade point average. Be sure the
transcript submitted is legible.

5\. **Official Form - 306,** **Declaration for Federal Employment**. Be
sure to complete the form accurately and sign. Form may be downloaded at
the **Office of Personnel Management website** at
<http://www.opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp>.

6\. **Form DI - 1935, Applicant Background Survey**. Optional form to be
used for statistical purposes only and is not used in the evaluation
process. Form may be located and downloaded at the following website:
[www.doi.gov/diversity/doc/di_1935.pdf](http://www.doi.gov/diversity/doc/di_1935.pdf).

7\. **DD-214** must be submitted for applicants claiming Veteran's
Preference; and/or **SF-15** for applicants claiming Veteran's 10-Point
Preference.

All applications must be submitted (by mail or hand delivered) no later
than the close of business (4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time) on **April
24, 2007 (extended at the discretion of the supervisor)**. No
applications will be accepted after April 24, 2007. If questions and/or
need assistance with any of the above forms, please call (775) 861-6547
during normal business hours (7:30 am - 4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time).

All applications will be evaluated by the Student Employment Program
Coordinator, and eligible and qualified applicants will be referred to
the Selecting Official (or supervisor). NO FAXED or ELECTRONIC MAIL
applications will be considered.

> **Drop-Off Application Packet Mail-In Application Packet**
>
> Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management
>
> Nevada State Office Nevada State Office
>
> ATTN: Nancy Taylor, NV-953 ATTN: Nancy Taylor, NV-953
>
> 1340 Financial Blvd. P.O. Box 12000
>
> Reno, NV 89502-7147 Reno, NV 89520-0006

*The Bureau of Land Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.*