Hydrographic Survey Technician

DUTIES

Serves on a ship, launch/small boat, or field party conducting hydrographic survey operations. Serves as Survey Manager for surveys of standard complexity without close supervision. Oversees and trains junior personnel in data acquisition and processing tasks. Serves as a launch/small boat crewmember and assists coxswain or Officer-in-charge as a line handler, visual lookout, and radio watch as required. Trains junior personnel in crew functions. Serves as a Hydrographer-ln-Charge {HIC} on survey launch and shipboard acquisition stations. Oversees and trains junior personnel assigned a Hydrographer-in-Charge in Training {HIC-IT}.

Serves as an assistant or Officer-in-Charge in training when conducting remote or autonomous system operations to include small Unmanned Aerial Systems {sUAS}, remote operated vehicles {ROV}, and Unmanned Surface Vessels {USV}. Responsible for safety of personnel, vessels, and equipment; pollution controls, personnel oversight as assigned or designated by the Command.

Operates and monitors instruments and equipment; conducts data acquisition, data quality control, data annotations, data review, data quality assurance, and data processing in support of hydrographic surveying operations. Maintains oceanographic and/or survey instruments and equipment. Recognizes and reports instrument and equipment problems to supervisor. Trains junior personnel on basic maintenance and calibration of survey instruments and equipment. Operates computer software programs for data acquisition and data processing. Recognizes and reports data acquisition and data processing problems; recognizes and reports computer software or system problems to supervisor. Maintains department work and storage areas; includes cleaning, organizing, sweeping, vacuuming, swabbing, and other duties related to the general upkeep and sanitation of survey department spaces. Prepares for survey operations without close supervision. Compiles and manages survey data; prepares required reports, conducts final data processing; and prepares survey data for transmittal. Prepares equipment and supplies for tide or horizontal control field work and sound velocity data acquisition.

Serves as Officer-in-Charge of such fieldwork if assigned or designated by the Command.

Hydrographic Survey Technician may stand shipboard in port security watch as required. Handles ship mooring lines and assists with mooring details. Handles small boat lines and assists with launch and recovery operations as required. Performs other mission-related duties as assigned, including duties related to the safety of the vessel, environmental compliance, damage control, first aid, abandon ship procedures, and diving operations if assigned or designated by the Command. Works closely and in cooperation with NOAA Corps Junior Officers to ensure that the duties of the survey department are carried out in a timely manner.

Hydrographic Survey Technician must know the location and usage of emergency equipment to include first aid, damage control, life rafts, survival gear, electronic beacons, and signaling systems. Computer skills to operate various software and hardware systems necessary to complete hydrographic survey operations without close supervision. Mathematical and statistical analysis concepts necessary to evaluate data quality and make recommendations on suitability of data to meet NOAA and International Hydrographic Organization {IHO} specifications. Physical science concepts and processes relevant to hydrographic survey operations. This includes knowledge of physical properties in the water column which affect the transmission of sound, use of positional systems and correctors to minimize uncertainty, and ability to measure and apply vessel offsets to support software/equipment calibrations or configuration.

Managerial and interpersonal skills required to train junior personnel in the acquisition, processing, and submission of hydrographic data. Understanding of the Commanding Officer/Master's Standing Orders, NOAA policies and regulations, and Shipboard Specific Instructions {SSI} relevant to regular duties as a crewmember of a NOAA vessel.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

One (1) year of experience at the Hydrographic Assistant Survey Technician level or equivalent engaged in the hydrographic field and two (2) years of experience in a survey related field, including: hydrography, oceanographic research, or other related field.

OR

Successful completion of a full 4-year college degree that included at least ten (10) credit hours in computer science or related classes such as Computer Cartography, Geographical Information Systems, or AutoCad or a 4 year college degree in hydrography, ocean surveying, Geographic Information System, civil engineering, or related degree.

LICENSING AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must possess a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Entry Level ratings – OS, Wiper, Steward Department (FH). Must possess a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with Medical Certificate.
2. MMC WAIVER* Applicants who demonstrate desirable education, experience and/or skills may be hired without the United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. Applicants will be hired on a waiver, employee must sign an agreement that he/she will obtain the United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential within one (1) year of appointment or they may be removed from Federal service due to failure to meet conditions of employment.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

As a conditional of employment, your position will be a Mixed Tour position. Mixed Tour of duty is a combination of full time, part time and intermittent work schedules which allows the best utilization of resources based on the work requirements of the organization. You will be required to sign a Mixed Tour Agreement.

Once selected, you may be sent to any vessel nationwide. There is no guarantee that you will be assigned to any particular vessel or geographic location, however, your duty location will be determined by your home of record or ship’s home port. Duty locations are Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SC; Woods Hole, MA; Pascagoula, MS; Newport, OR; Kodiak, AK; Ketchikan, AK; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Newport, RI; New Castle, NH.
 

NOTE: The tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to report to any of the scheduled appointments - fails the physical examination, fails the drug test, suitability or unable to obtain the required security clearance.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility requirements described above will be further evaluated. Documented knowledge, skills, and abilities, education, training, and awards contained in the application package and resume will be reviewed and rated to determine the degree to which applicants possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below that are essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position for which applications are being considered.

1. Knowledge of Shipboard terminology, alarm signals, standard commands, and nomenclature.
2. Knowledge of Seamanship, to include line handling and knots, for normal as well as complex evolutions involving survey launch and ship operations, particularly when operating near shore.
3. Knowledge of software systems, such as HYPACK, Triton ISIS, Maplnfo, Arclnfo, ArcView or Caris.
4. Ability to operate any of the following types of hydrographic equipment: Recording echo sounder, side scan sonar, multi-beam sonar, recording CTD.
5. Skill in computer, oral, and written communication.

DISCLAIMER

NOAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All applicants meeting minimum qualifications will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.