The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Current students who are scheduled to graduate within nine months may also apply to these positions. However, these students cannot be appointed until after graduation and the official degree has been awarded and conferred.

Duties

The duties listed are at the highest grade level advertised (GS-07): As a trainee, performs duties which are designed to orient the employee in the application of academic theories and basic natural resources principles to a variety of work situations. Assignments may be similar to those assigned to nonprofessional employees, but such tasks are primarily for training purposes, or to relieve higher grade specialists of routine work. Receives formal and on-the-job instructions and training designed to familiarize the incumbent with functions and operations of the organization, and to provide experience in the practical application of natural resources. Assignments may include some or all of the following: Inspects recreation sites and assists with the development of a wide range of recreation and trail plans and permits. Participates in the development of environmental assessments and/or impact statements to formulate natural resource management recommendations and/or conclusions. Applies geospatial technology to work performed in support of a natural resource management organization. Collects and analyzes biological data pertaining to natural resources and environmental program activities. Performs assigned phases of fire management, including serving as a member of a fire suppression crew. Participates in assigned phases of unit administration such as budgeting and personnel management. Drafts, reviews, and publishes natural resource plans, reports, compliance documents, evaluations and inspections.

Requirements

• Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.
• Must be at least 16 years of age and meet education requirements.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National at the time of non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the competitive service.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• The incumbents of Recent Graduate positions may be reassigned/relocated to any geographical location where the employee's services are needed as determined by management. Mobility agreement may be required.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.

Qualifications

You are required to meet the eligibility requirements of the Recent Graduate program, as described below in order to be considered for this position. You must meet all the eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/. The minimum qualification requirements for each grade level of this vacancy announcement are described below: RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY To be eligible, you must meet one of the following requirements: Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years; OR If you are a current student who is in the process of completing your degree, academic documentation must accompany your application package to validate your upcoming graduation date (you must complete all degree requirements within nine months of the application closing date to be considered a Recent Graduate); OR Due to military service obligation, you were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during any portion of the two-year eligibility period described above. This eligibility period cannot extend more than six years from the date on which the requirement for the academic degree or certificate was received. You must possess the qualifications requirements identified below to be considered qualified for this position. Your application or 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 for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, 0401: Required Education: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major. OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. 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-5 level: No specialized experience required. Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the GS-5 level. For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in Federal service; Examples of specialized experience include two or more of the following: Assisted in the preparation of documents and visual aids such as data tables, slides, posters, brochures, progress reports, summaries of field or laboratory work, or draft portions of manuscripts related to managing natural resources; Assisted in routine observation, measurement, inventorying, and recording of scientific data used to support natural resource management plans, strategies, and/or permitted uses; Used Geographic Information System software to assist in preparation of resource input for natural resource related projects. OR, one full year of graduate level education; OR, an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience; OR, Superior Academic Achievement (to determine if you are eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. 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. Please note that Superior Academic Achievement can only be applied if you have graduated or completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education

Education completed in foreign colleges and universities may be used if it has been accredited or evaluated by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Note regarding certificate programs: A certificate program is defined as a post-secondary education, in a qualifying education institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. While recently graduating from a certificate program may afford you Recent Graduate Program eligibility, it may not be sufficient in terms of qualification standards for the series and/or the grade level.

This position has a positive education requirement, as outlined above under basic qualifications. The term positive education requirement refers to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determination that the duties of a scientific, technical, or professional position cannot be performed by an individual that does not have the prescribed minimum education. For additional information on the qualification standards for the 0401 series, visit the OPM Qualifications Standard found at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/

POSITION INFORMATION

This announcement is associated with the 2024 Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences Conference (MANNRS) recruitment event. The target start date for these positions is Summer 2024.

To see where these Forest Service offices are located, click here. Click each region name to see the different locations within the Forest Service. For additional information on a position at a specific duty location, please contact:

If you have questions regarding duty locations in this announcement please email [email protected]. Please include the announcement number and the exact location(s) for which you have questions in your email.

The duty locations listed in this announcement include primary and alternate locations for available positions. You must select all duty locations for which you wish to be considered; final duty location for each position will be determined at the time of selection.

FIELD GOING: The applicant should expect that these are all primarily field going positions, with a significant amount of physically challenging field work in natural resource settings. This could involve use of Forest Service vehicles, tools, and Personal Protective Equipment; hiking, exposure to weather extremes and wildlife, and in some cases, working extended hours or shifts, evening work and/or spending some nights at remote locations.

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion procedures as announcement number 24-NPT-MRS-401-57-FS-JW. Current federal employees may apply to both announcements. This position may be filled at the GS-05 or GS-07 grade level with promotion potential to the GS-09.

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]