These positions support the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program. FIA is a nationwide program which collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive forest and other resource information. For additional information about the duties of the positions, please contact Charles Perry ([email protected]).

Duties

Duties listed below are at the full performance level. Evaluate quality of data collected to ensure standardized protocols are used and measurements are repeatable. Respond to questions regarding data collection protocols, contacting experts as necessary to ensure national consistency in data collection methods. Test data collection software to ensure data collected adhere to forest inventory and analysis technical parameters. Locate field sites using written directions, aerial photographs, topographic maps, compass and GPS. Using a personal data recorder, collect and inspect data on forest attributes; land-use and ownership; natural and anthropogenic disturbances; insects and disease; soil hydrology; and/or geographical attributes. Use various computer programs to create presentations, documents, and reports. Develop, write, and edit forest inventory protocols, collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure appropriate methodologies are used. Collaborate with information management staff to correct errors with data collection software and hardware.

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.
• Field work often requires moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including walking, bending and climbing in rugged terrain under adverse conditions for long periods of time while carrying moderate loads of 45 pounds or more.
• Work in the forest environment involves considerable risk of falls due to uneven terrain, risk of insect bites, contact with poisonous plants, etc.
• Field work is conducted during conditions such as rain, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
• Moderate risks or discomforts such as driving long distances, flying in helicopters, travel by boat or stock animal, and living in a camp in close quarters may be recurring.
• Use of hardhat, boots, gloves, and other safety equipment may be required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

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 university course descriptions to clarify course content as necessary. Basic Education Requirement for Biological Science Series (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 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. For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: Assisting with the management of ecological monitoring projects (including building schedules, logistical planning, and execution of work); Collecting forestry, botanical, and geographic measurements; obtaining data on tree growth, forest type, stand size and stand age; habitat typing, plant identification, and evaluation of forest health indicators. Producing routine reports and summaries of field visits; interpreting standard procedures, and ensuring that data collection is accurate, repeatable and in compliance with established protocol. OR 1 year of graduate-level education directly related to the work of the position which is forest inventory and analysis OR Superior Academic Achievement. Please go to this link for more information on eligibility: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience listed above. For the GS-9 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: Managing forest inventory or resource monitoring projects (including, development of flexible work plans that include anticipated workforce needs, time and cost estimates); Analyzing forest inventory monitoring data for accuracy and compliance with established protocol; utilizing field observations, aerial imagery, and historical site information for land use classification; Serving as subject matter expert in forest inventory field data collection to answer questions about methods and findings and to train others; and communicating with state, federal, tribal, and/or private organizations to enlist cooperation and support in research activities. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the work of the position which is forest inventory and analysis OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience listed above. Only that graduate level education completed beyond 18 semester hours is creditable for this combination. 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.

Education

See above for minimum education requirement and for graduate level education that may be qualifying for the specific grade levels.

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]