Employee supports Forest Service data acquisition for Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)). FIA is a nationwide program which collects, analyzes, and publishes comprehensive information on forests and renewable resources. Data are used by industrial leaders, forest managers and government agencies in making policy decisions. State Contacts Brittany Benjamin [email protected] (LA) Michelle Gerdes [email protected] (CA) Maryfaith Snyder [email protected] (ID, MT, WY, NM)

Duties

Schedules, organizes, and executes field data collection projects related to natural resource inventory. Collects data needed to carry out biological science investigations Develops work plans that include time and cost estimates, and the materials, supplies, and equipment Organizes, verifies, and refines the data collected. Studies and evaluates the data and writes up methods, findings, recommendations, and other conclusions for approval Locates remote field sites using aerial photographs, topographic maps, compass and GPS Uses botanical keys to identify plants encountered and assists in the collection and preservation of specimens Records all measurements utilizing a personal data recorder, uploads, and edits data, and completes accurate and concise plot summaries of all field visits. Works independently and makes technical interpretations of field guide procedures for application under unusual conditions with consultation with supervisor.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
• Must possess and be able to maintain a valid state driver's license.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment, work assignment, or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position. Basic Requirement: GS-0401: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major. OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Minimum Qualifications Requirements: For the GS-05: No specialized experience required. Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the basic requirements are fully qualified for the GS-5 level. For the GS-07: At least one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: --Assisting with the management of ecological monitoring projects (including building schedules, logistical planning, and execution of work); --Collecting forestry, botanical, and geographic measurements, obtaining data on tree growth, forest type, stand size and stand age; --Producing routine reports and summaries of field visits, interpreting standard procedures, and ensuring that data collection is accurate, repeatable and in compliance with established protocol. OR One full year of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work in fields such as forestry, forest ecology, botany, biology, ecology. OR An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as defined above OR Superior Academic Achievement: Go to this site to determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-09: At least one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as having 3 out of 4 of the following: --Managing forest inventory or resource monitoring projects (including, development of flexible work plans that include anticipated workforce needs, time and cost estimates); --Analyzing forest inventory monitoring data for accuracy and compliance with established protocol; utilizing field observations, aerial imagery, and historical site information for land use classification; --Serving as subject matter expert in forest inventory field data collection to answer questions about methods and findings and to train others; and communicating with state, federal, tribal, and/or private organizations to enlist cooperation and support in research activities; --Experience overseeing employees includes: establishing expectations; making recommendations for performance standards and measures; and identifying/providing developmental training as necessary. OR A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work in fields such as forestry, forest ecology, botany, biology, ecology. OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education and education described above. Only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify for this grade level. Your education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTICE OF WORKING CONDITIONS: The work is performed primarily in a field environment that may include steep slopes, thick brush, swamp environment, and remote locations. Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending, wading or walking in water, and climbing, in rugged terrain, under adverse conditions, for long periods of time while carrying moderate loads of 45 pounds or more. On and off trail hiking, driving, and navigating are required. Boating may be required. Work in the forest environment involves considerable risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc. Temperatures may range from very hot and dry to very cold and extremely wet. Car camping and backpacking will be required. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

See Qualifications Section for required and qualifying education.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]