IRRIGATION SYSTEM OPERATOR, GS-0459-3/4/5

Duties

NOTE: If the position is filled at a lower grade level, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition under the Merit Promotion Program at such time as performance and qualification requirements are met and classification review discloses the duties being performed properly warrant classification to the next higher grade level.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

• Schedule and ensure water delivery to eligible water users.
• Log all water requests pertaining to operations.
• Communicate with water users involving maintenance and water delivery.
• Resolve water disputes as it pertains to irrigation operations, maintenance and water delivery.
• Repair or replace structures in canals and laterals.
• Prevent flooding of crops.
• Clean debris out of the canal to prevent damage to equipment.
• Maintain equipment usage and repair to prevent flooding of canals.
• Perform various irrigation duties including dam operations, dam safety and early warning systems with little or no supervision.
• Plan and schedule work activities for irrigation assignments requiring completion.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions, GS-0459 or IOR if applicable).

GS-5: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level OR 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required.

GS-4: 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience OR 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required.

GS-3: 6 months of general experience OR successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least one course in subjects such as civil engineering, agriculture, soil management or conservation, physical science, mathematics, or range management or conservation.

Individual Occupational Requirements

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above):

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Farming or ranching work that provided knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and irrigation procedures used in the geographical area for which application is made.
• Construction, maintenance, or operating work that provided a knowledge of the control, regulation, distribution, and measurement of water.
• Controlling, clearing, repairing, and maintaining irrigation ditches, canals, and equipment; or soil conservation or engineering technician work where the duties provided a knowledge of irrigation procedures.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

EDUCATION: This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week or approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

 

Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

 

For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Dept of Ed.