Hydrologist 14

Published on by for NOAA National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Hydrologist 14

Hydrologist 14
GS-1315-14
NOTE: THE SENTENCE IN PART I DESCRIBING THE PURPOSE OF THE POSITION AND PARTS II AND III IN THEIR
ENTIRETY ARE PERMANENT PARTS OF THE LIBRARY AND MAY NOT BE CHANGED OR EDITED IN ANY WAY.

I. INTRODUCTION
This position conducts expert analysis and planning of techniques development and/or client relationship programs, either at offices with unusual operational scope or in units with broad program development responsibility.

II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides direction for integrated implementation and operational support for the highest levels of technology employed in the agency. Leads efforts to identify hydrology related program objectives, coordinating efforts to develop and implement those objectives, and to transfer those technologies from a research to an operational environment. Involved in procedure development, implementation, and maintenance activities for software such as river forecast systems, extended streamflow prediction systems, and hydrometeorological automated data system. The work also supports the movement toward more advanced hydrologic modeling systems and data analysis.

III. FACTOR LEVELS
Factor I - Knowledge Required by the Position FL 1-8, 1550 pts.
Mastery of theoretical and applied hydrologic and hydraulic science, especially as applied to operational river forecasting; knowledge of the technical components comprising the operational forecast system in order to develop and enhance techniques to improve the quality of the agency hydrologic services. Knowledge of the agency's hydrology-related programs, their relationships with each other and to the many user communities, to coordinate efforts of headquarters or regional specialists in developing, testing, and implementing program and product enhancements.
Knowledge of the principles and theories of meteorology to lead hydrometeorological studies. Knowledge of state-of-the-art computer hardware and software capabilities as applied to studies of hydrological events and problems, including application of computer modeling techniques.

Factor 2 - Supervisory Controls FL 2-5, 650 pts.
Supervisory guidance and review are exercised through broad, general objectives for assigned programs. The incumbent independently determines validity and soundness of programs and plans, carries out programs and projects, and makes recommendations and decisions that are normally accepted without significant changes. Work is reviewed only in terms of its relationship to broad policy requirements and administrative controls.

Factor 3 - Guidelines FL 3-5, 650 pts.
Little information may be available or existing guidelines are broad and nonspecific, requiring extensive interpretation and a high degree of judgment, originality, and creativity.

The incumbent is recognized frequently 12/14/2018 Hydrologist 14 - OHRM https://hr.commerce.gov/Practitioners/ClassificationAndPositionManagement/PDLibrary/prod01_000540?format_for_print=true 2/2
as an expert with responsibility for influencing or developing policies, plans, etc., that guide others in executing water resource programs.

Factor 4 - Complexity FL 4-5, 325 pts.
Assignments involve new systems for communication, data acquisition, and integration of hydrological data which have substantially increased the volume, frequency, and types of data available to hydrologic forecasters and analysts. The work requires creation of new techniques and approaches to meet objectives. The incumbent is faced with resolving the multitude of data and systems problems in order to minimize their impact on the timely production of hydrologic forecasts and guidance products.

Factor 5 - Scope and Effect FL 5-5, 325 pts.
Hydrologic forecasts and warnings must be accurate and timely, as they are essential to public safety and have significant impact on an area's economy. Improved guidelines and requirements developed must be effective, as they affect the nation's forecast programs.

Factor 6 - Personal Contacts FL 6-3, 60 pts.
Contacts include state and local officials with decision-making authority; agency staff hydrologists; regional and headquarters personnel; and/or other Federal personnel in related agencies with water management, emergency management, and civil defense missions.

Factor 7 - Purpose of Contacts FL 7-3, 120 pts.
The purpose of contacts is to negotiate technical approaches to problems; plan with and secure the cooperation of client officials in furthering preparedness programs; and negotiate and explain service levels to specialized and government clients. Individuals contacted may be skeptical, uncooperative, or of differing and conflicting opinions.

Factor 8 - Physical Demands FL 8-1, 5 pts.
The work is primarily sedentary and may involve rotating shifts.

Factor 9 - Work Environment FL 9-1, 5 pts.
The work is performed in a typical office setting.
Total = 3690 pts.

This position is exempt from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.


IV. UNIQUE POSITION REQUIREMENTS
(Last updated: November 4, 1994)

 

Information

Media

Taxonomy