These positions are located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in the Division of Resource Management and Science. Open to the first 125 applicants or until 12/11/2023 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Duties

The duty stations are Sequoia National Park or Kings Canyon National Park, CA. MAJOR DUTIES: These positions involve forest management / monitoring in both front country and backcountry settings. Duties include tree hazard surveillance and forest pest management. Specific tasks include identification/evaluation of tree defects, tree measurements (i.e., dbh and height), record-keeping, mapping, and data entry into data-logger and/or computer. The work involves moderate physical labor. Employees will work individually or in teams of 2-3. Positions require rudimentary forestry knowledge/skills, including Sierra Nevadan tree species identification, common forest defect/pest identification, and knowledge of forest measurement techniques, including use of diameter tape, compass, clinometer, and rangefinder/hypsometer. Some positions may require application of chemicals such as synthetic bark beetle anti-aggregation pheromone to trees. Some positions may require utilizing a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, analyze, and report data and other resource management information. Perform routine and recurring testing of collected samples. Record all data collected and ensure adequate quality control. Make field observations of natural resource conditions. Utilize a variety of computer programs to compile, reduce, store, retrieve, and report data and other resource management information. Conduct routine resource monitoring programs for evaluating rare, threatened and endangered plant species, vegetation communities, population dynamics, ecosystem relationships, and public health/safety issues. Carry out a variety of field activities such as the plant surveys, control of non-native and invasive plant or insect species, and enhancement of native plant populations. Utilize databases to enter and organize collected field data and uses standard statistical methods in the preparation of draft reports. Assist in preparing reports, plans, and guidelines. Maintain and organize computer databases. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is April to May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2024 Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks represent an extraordinary continuum of ecosystems (96% designated wilderness) arrayed along the greatest vertical relief (1,370 to 14,505 feet elevation) of any protected area in the lower 48 states. They are the highest, most rugged reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (including Mount Whitney at 14,500 feet elevation) and feature the world's largest trees - Giant Sequoias. Sequoia National Park is the nation's second oldest national park (established September 25, 1890) and encompasses 404,863 acres. Kings Canyon was established on March 4, 1940 and encompasses 458,847 acres. Both parks provide a wealth of recreational opportunities via 835 miles of trails, wild and scenic rivers, alpine lakes, and caves, along with a full range of overnight lodging prospects to choose from that include 14 campgrounds. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/workwithus.htm.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST when the applicant cut-off is reached (which may be sooner than 12/11/2023). Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-04 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least 6 months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience related to the work of this position. The specialized experience has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the GS-04 and included things such as forest inventory/monitoring, forestry research, tree hazard identification/evaluation, fire effects monitoring, forest insect or disease detection/monitoring, ecological restoration, weed management, or native plant propagation/planting. Indicate hours per week worked in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level undergraduate education study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as forestry, plant ecology, biology, botany, entomology, plant pathology, plant taxonomy, physics, chemistry, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours must have been directly related to the position to be filled. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your coursework and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific coursework information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) of education above high school and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Indicate hours per week worked in your resume and submit transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: 1) performing basic forest inventories, studies, and surveys; 2) assisting in routine and recurring resource monitoring programs for forest insects or diseases; 3) assisting in tree hazard identification and/or evaluation; 4) participating in revegetation activities (e.g., site preparation, transplanting, seeding, and applying mulch or erosion mats); and 5) inputting/retrieving forestry data using computers and global positioning systems (GPS). Indicate hours per week worked in your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher-level undergraduate coursework leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, plant ecology, biology, botany, entomology, plant pathology, plant taxonomy, physics, chemistry, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours must have been directly related to the position to be filled. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must document your coursework and/or degree completed in your resume or other application materials you submit. You must submit a copy of your transcripts, or a complete list of college courses taken that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific coursework information as described previously, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected. -OR- COMBINATION: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent) earned towards a bachelor's degree, in excess of 60 semester hours, and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Indicate hours per week worked in your resume and submit transcripts. ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Volunteer Experience: 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

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Contacts

• Address Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271 US
• Name: Alexis Brooks
• Email: [email protected]