Job opening: Forestry Technician (Wilderness/Trails)
Salary: $20 per hour
Published at: Oct 26 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the development and scheduling of annual work plans and the execution of field operations relating to the unit's wilderness/trails and/or related recreation program.
Duties
Participates in the preparation and execution of trails management plans based on approved direction in land management plans.
Prepares annual trail operating plans. Implements trail, and/or wilderness bridge construction and reconstruction projects.
Develops and monitors the logistics required for completion of wilderness projects and non-wilderness projects associated with trail maintenance and reconstruction.
Logistics include condition surveys, developing project plans and cost estimates, and making recommendations for improvements. Implementation may involve the oversight of small crews in such activities.
Participates in the identification and planning for future trail construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and restoration projects. Performs trail log, condition, and prescription surveys.
Recommends the location of a variety of facilities, and records diverse information about the characteristics of the area.
Trains crews in wilderness and trails construction and revegetation techniques. Performs independently or as a leader of a small project crew in trail maintenance and construction.
Monitors and inspects contracted work to assure it meets the provisions of the contract. Participates in performing final inspection and developing the final inspection reports.
Keeps records of visitor use levels, types, and patterns. Makes sure that portals are properly signed, and bulletin boards are maintained. Maintains records of visitor use levels, and types and patterns of use.
Provides technical assistance in sampling and inventories designed to measure visitor use and impacts and ensures accurate statistics for reporting visitor use information. Updates database by collecting and entering data.
Provides input to the budget planning by assisting with the overall estimation of materials, personnel, and supplies needed for recreation sites. Prepares budget requests and adjusts program priorities to reflect the actual funding levels.
Participates in the administration and implementation of recreation area with responsibility for carrying out operations plans for the use, improvement, and maintenance for developed and dispersed recreation sites.
Manages part of the warehouse storage allocated to the unit. Requisitions, receives, marks, and stores supplies and equipment. Responsible for the care, operation, and maintenance of power boats, vehicles, tools, equipment, and supplies.
Supports and develops volunteer programs. Interviews, selects, trains and supervises volunteers. Prepares volunteer agreements, travel requests, and other necessary documentation. Ensures that documents are signed and records are maintained.
Instructs chainsaw course for unit employees, teaching falling and bucking techniques, chainsaw safety, maintenance and mechanics. Rates students for ability and keeps records of trainees. Responsible for re-certifying students every three years.
Promotes Safety program, conducts safety training and tailgate sessions. Analyzes hazard potential of projects and completes safety reports. Writes safety and health hazard analyses reports. Recommends actions that can strengthen the safety program.
Provides public information and interpretive services. Acts as liaison with community organizations and interest groups to stimulate interest in and utilization of forest recreation facilities.
Determines and recommends opportunities for community members to participate in programs and activities. Coordinates group visits with operational personnel and communicates schedules and requirements for logistical support.
Incumbent may serve as a Forest Protection Officer (FPO). Issues notices of field violations when violations of regulations are encountered. Conducts investigations, collects evidence, and prepares case reports on violations.
Maintains and cares for pack and saddle stock and operates and maintains specialized equipment used in transport of livestock. Provides education in proper livestock minimum impact use techniques, safety procedures, and packing and saddle stock use.
Requirements
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify.
- This is a Test 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Executive Order 12564 requires employees designated to carry a firearm to be subject to random drug testing. This position will be subject to random drug testing and will be placed in the applicant testing pool.
- The ability to obtain and maintain weapons certification is a condition of employment in this position.
- This involves receipt of a negative pre-certification drug test result, passing a minimum background investigation, passing firearm classroom training, passing the shooting proficiency test and enrollment in the random drug testing pool.
- Must have skills and ability to instruct chainsaw safety course.
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.
GS-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5).
GS-06: There is no substitution of education for this position.
Examples of specialized experience include: Assisting staff in planning and implementing the logistics required for completion of wilderness projects, such as trail maintenance and reconstruction projects, habitat restoration projects, and invasive plant surveys; ensuring recreation/wilderness areas are operated, used, and maintained in accordance with trail and/or wilderness management plans; serving on a crew responsible for trail maintenance surveys and documenting trail work needs in data management systems; and/or following trail maintenance schedules for the reconstruction and construction of trails and wilderness/recreation sites.
Selective Placement Factors
Must have skills and ability to instruct chainsaw safety course.
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. Executive Order 12564 requires employees designated to carry a firearm to be subject to random drug testing. This position will be subject to random drug testing and will be placed in the applicant testing pool. The ability to obtain and maintain weapons certification is a condition of employment in this position, which involves receipt of a negative pre-certification drug test result, passing a minimum background investigation, passing firearm classroom training, passing the shooting proficiency test and enrollment in the random drug testing pool.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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition {Title18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)}. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute, as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent or guardian. The term "convicted," as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside, or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expungement or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information proved by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment, [Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001].
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]