Multiple positions located throughout the Northern Region, Region 1. This position serves as the Tribal Relations Specialist and point of contact for the American Indian Tribes having an interest in the activities in the designated forest(s) relative to government-to-government trust responsibility. For additional information about the specific duty locations, please see the Education section.

Duties

Duties are listed at full performance level GS-12. Develop and manage a comprehensive Tribal Relations Program to ensure trust responsibilities are recognized and fulfilled with decisions addressing current and future needs of Indian tribes and tribal members. Make recommendations for new initiatives and programs to specifically address the trust responsibility and/or governmental rights of tribes. Provide leadership to ensure the rights of Sovereign Indian Nations are fully respected. Facilitate communication between the local Forest Service and American Indian Tribes in matters of natural resource management, program delivery, trust responsibility, access and protection of sacred and cultural sites, and plant collection issues. Coordinate activities and programs regarding program delivery needs for the tribe(s). Coordinate outreach of Forest Service (FS) programs and services to the American Indian Tribes on the national forest(s) and provide guidance to the process associated with the government-to-government relationship between the tribe(s) and forest(s). Serve as liaison and technical authority for developing interests, recommendations, action plans, and establishing and/or interpreting policy in matters of American Indian affairs and interests. Advises the Forest Supervisor(s) and staffs of any procedural impediments that negatively impact the ability of the agency and its employees to effectively work with tribal governments. Conducts projects and studies to evaluate and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and meaningful relations with the supported tribe(s).

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 maintain a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

In order 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 application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service; Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Assisted in establishing and maintaining organizational relationships with one or more federally recognized Tribe(s); and/or Assisted with facilitating, leading and advising on tribal consultation and coordination for complex issues, projects, proposed activities and plans; and/or Prepared briefing documents, summaries of tribal relations, consultation activities, and summaries of specific tribal concerns. -OR- A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related; -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). For the GS-12: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as ALL of the following: Advised on tribal consultation and coordination for complex projects, land actions, and plans involving laws including but not limited to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), American Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Assisted with the development and implementation of partnership opportunities, outreach and educational programs, Cooperative Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding with tribes and provided guidance on protocol; and Assisted management with dispute resolution with tribes. Work Experience: 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. 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: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying.

CONTACT INFORMATION
-Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, Duty Location(s): Orofino, or Kamiah, ID. Supervisor: Cheryl Probert, [email protected]

-Custer Gallatin National Forest, Supervisors Office, Duty Location(s): Billings or Bozeman, MT. Supervisor: Kathleen Minor, [email protected]

-Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Supervisors Office, Duty Locations: Coeur d'Alene, Avery, St. Maries, Sandpoint, Priest Lake, or Bonners Ferry, ID. Supervisor: Jason Brey, [email protected]

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]