This position is located with the State and Private Tribal Forestry, Office of Tribal Relations. Serves as the Tribal Relations Specialist and point of contact for the American Indian Tribes having an interest in the activities relative to the government-to-government trust responsibility. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Travis Stone at [email protected] or Reed Robinson at [email protected].

Duties

Serve as point-of-contact for the Washington Office (WO), other regions, American Indian Groups including Tribal Councils, Tribal Leaders, Native Corporations and officials of other federal agencies. Responsible for the management of interdisciplinary programs involving partnerships with Indian Tribes. Represent the director in the government-to-government relations between the Forest Service and Federally Recognized Tribes, including those who have specific interest in the activities of the regions, research stations, forests and grasslands. Provide expert advice using the framework of legal, policy, and manual and handbook guidance. Coordinate and provide training with Forest Service employees and externals on traditional uses of forests, American Indian customs and practices, working with Tribal Governments, and farm bill applications and sacred sites issues. Participate with counterparts in reviewing and drafting national policy, program processes, and design/development of programs to complement cultural differences between the American Indian Tribal Governments and the Forest Service. Plan projects and activities to ensure protection of American Indian rights and tribal rights and concerns. Knowledge of American Indian cultures in order to communicate effectively with leadership as well as individuals of other organizations, dignitaries and elected officials with respect to critical issues facing American Indian tribes. Work with American Indian tribes who have diverse interests, concerns, issues and values that are often specific to individual tribes. Skill in conflict resolution and interest-based negotiation to resolve conflict, negotiate agreements and achieve objectives with respect to tribal entities. Evaluate the content of new or modified legislation (federal/tribal/state) for projected impact upon organizational programs and resources.

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.
• A valid state drivers license is required.
• Subject to one-year managerial probationary period (unless prior service is creditable).

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. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-13: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as majority of the following: Administered and/or managed work on issues and rights of importance to Native American tribes. Developed briefing materials in order to educate on a significant or controversial issue related to Native American tribe(s). Maintained working knowledge of the unique legal relationship of the United States Government with American Indian Tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, and court decisions. Developed public outreach and other strategies to improve the government relationships between tribal, state, local, and/or federal governments. 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

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

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]