This position is a Forester, GS- 0460-9/11 working in Tallulah, LA for the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. This position is also open to the public under announcement R4-23-12112363-CM-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Forester your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Forest Management: Cruises timberlands using the plot system or similar methods to obtain data on volume, growth rate, age class, species, distribution, reproduction, and ground cover; prepares stock and stand tables and cover type maps by compartments; Makes on-the-ground examinations and analyses of forest areas to determine which areas require short or long-range cultural treatment in terms of the total ecosystem; plans, coordinates, and executes the technical phases of the forest planting and seeding programs, including the inventory of plantable areas, Provides technical assistance on mutual reforestation problems; plans, coordinates, and conducts training meetings on silvicultural principles and practices, including planting and seeding procedures, ground and seedbed preparation techniques, timber stand improvement techniques, and control of animals, insects, or diseases affecting reforestation and regeneration programs; carries out feral hog and beaver control activities, Timber Harvest Operations: Plans, coordinates, and executes proposed and ongoing timber sale and preparation programs to prevent loss of timber productivity and damage to the environment based on an on-the ground inventory of sample plots and stands, maps, and aerial resource photography; Determines best access routes, location of cutting units, and logging methods consistent with transportation and silvicultural plans; plans and coordinates staffing, budgetary, and equipment needs required to carry out sales program; Reviews logging plans with operator to ensure common understanding of contractual requirements; inspects logging operations to ensure fulfillment of silvicultural objectives and assure that watershed, recreational, aesthetic. and wildlife values are protected. and contract stipulations are observed; Investigates reports related to marginal or improper logging activities such as improper cutting practices, cutting of unauthorized timber, destruction of damage to residual stands or reserve trees, and disputed interpretations of contract intent; negotiates or directs changes in operations as required and appropriate. Develops written plans for Habitat Management and forest prescriptions.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver?s License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Uniform: Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform MAY be required.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/15/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree in forestry; or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours of course work were in forestry. The curriculum must have been sufficiently diversified to include courses in each of the following areas: Management of Renewable Resources -- study of the science and art of managing renewable resources to attain desired results. Examples of creditable courses in this area include silviculture, forest management operations, timber management, wildland fire science or fire management, utilization of forest resources, forest regulation, recreational land management, watershed management, and wildlife or range habitat management. Forest Biology -- study of the classification, distribution, characteristics, and identification of forest vegetation, and the interrelationships of living organisms to the forest environment. Examples of creditable courses in this area include dendrology, forest ecology, silvics, forest genetics, wood structure and properties, forest soils, forest entomology, and forest pathology. Forest Resource Measurements and Inventory -- sampling, inventory, measurement, and analysis techniques as applied to a variety of forest resources. Examples of creditable courses include forest biometrics, forest mensuration, forest valuation, statistical analysis of forest resource data, renewable natural resources inventories and analysis, and photogrammetry or remote sensing. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in forestry, or at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours were in forestry. The requirements for diversification of the 24 semester hours in forestry are the same as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification [GS-09] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience may include cruising timberlands using the plot system or similar method; Plan, coordinate, and execute the technical phases of the forest planting and seeding programs; Inspect all phases of field reforestation and stand improvement projects; timber sale and preparation programs; wildlife management and the relationship of various forest plant species and habitat conditions to wildlife. OR Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field directly related to Forestry. OR An equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education which together equals 100% of the requirements. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience may include inventorying and monitoring forested habitats, implementing forest management plans and timber harvests, making determinations on the interrelationships of living organisms in the forest environment. OR Three years progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree. OR An equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education which together equals 100% of the requirements. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements This vacancy will utilize a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle will consist of applicants completing an occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle will consist of applicant resumes being reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for related position competencies against a pre-determined rating schedule. This process will determine the final rating of the applicant for possible referral to the hiring official for hiring consideration.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Capital Management 1875 Century Blvd Suite 370 Atlanta, GA 30345 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]