This position is with the Alaska Region, State and Private Forester Staff and may be located in Anchorage, Juneau or Fairbanks, Alaska. Final determination of duty location will be made by the selecting official at time of job offer. The position serves as Regional Program Manager for the Forest Health Protection (FHP) aerial survey program. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Karen Hutten at [email protected].

Duties

Serves as the Regional FHP Aerial Survey Program Manager and is responsible for the application of aerial survey methodologies and associated technologies to meet program objectives. Responsible for planning, coordinating and conducting the annual FHP aerial detection survey for the Region. Provides leadership, oversight, and coordination of the Regional FHP Aviation Safety Program. Compiles and tracks Aerial Survey Program budget requirements. Assists in developing an annual Aerial Survey Program budget with estimates and forecasts designed to facilitate program sustainability. Develops and manages aerial survey data and databases for Regional FHP Aerial Survey Program. Ensures Region-wide survey standardization by coordinating data coding and mapping techniques and provides analytical support to GIS personnel. Prepares and writes reports to present survey data including maps, summary tables and graphic displays which includes mapping of insect and disease caused damage and suppression projects, reporting regional pest conditions. Develops, coordinates, and participates in forest insect and disease field surveys as needed to evaluate insect and disease effects; ground truths polygons for aerial survey or those in conjunction with a remote sensing field validation study.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service 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.
• This position requires initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• As a field going position working in brown or black bear habitat, this position is required to be firearm certified for personal and/or crew safety.

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. Basic Requirement: GS-0401: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. or Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service defined as one or more of the following: Planning, coordinating, and conducting annual aerial forest and insect disease (FID) surveys; Resolving logistical and safety requirements, monitoring aerial survey progress, and providing quality control for survey; Coordinates with other specialists to ensure accurate computation of survey data and maps; production of tabular data, and summary output for accuracy within specified timelines; OR Drafting reports to present survey data including maps, summary tables and graphic displays, including maps of insect and disease caused damage and reporting insect and disease conditions by Region and other reporting areas. OR The successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in courses directly related to the position. OR A combination of education and experience that together meets the qualification requirements for this position. (Only education in excess of a master's degree may be combined to meet this option, e.g., coursework in excess of 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 defined as one or more of the following: Assisting in developing new or proposed forest insect and disease/forest health protection ground and aerial survey policies, procedures, and guidelines; Participating with managers, forest protection staff or research scientists in developing and recommending forest insect and disease/forest health protection ground and aerial survey programs, plans, studies, and specific actions; OR Providing advice and assistance to aerial survey and GIS and statistical specialists to implement forest health programs. 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 the Qualifications section for education requirements.

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]