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Natural Resources Specialist (Soil/Water/Air/Ecology)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.

For information about the BLM in Oregon/Washington, visit our website.

For information about the Vale area, visit the Malheur County site.

For information about the Burns area, visit the Harney County Chamber of Commerce.

**AMENDED** Amends this vacancy announcement closing date to 12/06/2019.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/26/2019 to 12/06/2019
Salary
$51,440 - $80,912 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09 - 11
Locations
Hines, OR
1 vacancy
Vale, OR
few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—**Relocation Expenses will be paid for the duty location of Hines, OR ONLY. Relocation Expenses WILL NOT be paid for duty location Vale, OR.** Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. The use of a relocation service company and home marketing incentive will not be offered. Please see further details under "Other Information".
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Work schedule
Full-time - Work Schedule is Full-Time.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
OR-DEU-2020-0015
Control number
552560100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens – No previous Federal Service is required.

Duties

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This position serves as the Natural Resource Specialist focusing on Soil, Water, Air & Ecology work in a Field Office where the incumbent performs professional work in a dynamic program within the framework of multiple-use land management.  The main function of the position is to ensure that these resources are maintained or enhanced through program development through following guidelines, conducting and participating in appropriate training, involvement in resource management plans and environmental assessments, and consultation for on-site specific recommendations.  The incumbent may serve as project lead and/or interdisciplinary team leader in the preparation of all levels of documentation in compliance with the National Environmental Policy (NEPA).  The position is responsible for performing duties that involve professional knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, techniques and terminology of soils, riparian, hydrology, and associated ecological processes as related to land use management.

Physical Demands: Work may be in an office, a field setting, or a public meeting.  Field work requires the incumbent to be capable of operating both two and four wheel drive vehicle (under adverse conditions and in remote areas) and hiking for extended periods over rough terrain.
 
Work Environment: The work is performed in an office setting and outdoors.  Outdoor work requires possible exposure to health risks and discomforts of extremes in climate and weather.  Occasionally some exposure to moderate discomfort is encountered on field trips such as extremes of heat cold and inclement weather.  Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear, such as boots, waders, goggles, helmets or gloves.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you
  • have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Background Investigation Required.

Summary of Requirements:  You must meet all requirements listed in the "Qualifications" section of the announcement.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements:  

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.   For GS-09 specialized experience must be equivalent to GS-07, and for the GS-11 specialized experience must be equivalent a GS-09 in the federal service.

To qualify for GS-09 requires knowledge and skill in applying concepts, principles, practices, and methodology of the field; the organization’s programs and their governing laws and regulations; related mathematical and/or biological disciplines; and Federal, state, local, and/or tribal laws and regulations; sufficient to independently perform recurring, well-precedented projects using standard methods and techniques; identify and resolve problems; provide technical advice to laymen; evaluate requests for access and use of public lands; and prepare routine reports and make presentations in relation to hydrology, riparian management and soils.  Providing input on those programs for project planning, such as timber sales.

GS-11 Examples:  Ability to resolve complex problems involving matters, such as developing and implementing multiple-use resource management plans or covering diverse resource management issues; modify or adapt standard processes and procedures; assess, select, and apply remedies suited to the assigned problem or situation; devise strategies to overcome significant resource or environmental problems; assess the environmental impact of various practices; recommend and justify appropriate resource management strategies; apply environmental regulatory requirements; in resource management reviews and contract proposals; provide advisory and/or specialized services; and evaluate the economic impact of exploiting natural resources; sufficient to: develop, review, implement, and resolve complex problems on multiple use, sustained yield ecosystem management, and biodiversity programs; develop programs and provide solutions to complex problems covering an array of environmental conditions on varied forest units and successional stages.

Educational Requirements:  Basic requirement is a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.  In addition, to qualify for the GS-09 based on education requires 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.  For GS-11 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

You will need to clearly state your undergraduate/graduate degree(s) and submit your college transcripts or a listing of your college courses that includes hours and grades.

Additional information

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under Announcement# OR Merit-2020-0009 for current and former federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.  To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

May require completion of a 1 year probationary period.

For Duty Location Vale, OR: Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/FTR%20Bulletin%2018_05%20Relocation%20Allowances_0.pdf

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):  CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position. 

The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, you application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.   In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.

1)  Professional knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices and techniques of hydrology, riparian management, soils and ecology, with an emphasis in the knowledge of general ecological principles.

2)  Knowledge of the interrelationships of various natural resources such as botany, forestry, range, wildlife and others; and the ability to communicate clearly about the interrelationships of these resources with planners, resource specialists and managers.

3)  Professional knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, and techniques of hydrology, riparian management, soils and ecology, with an emphasis in the knowledge of general ecological principles.  Knowledge and ability to plan, conduct and interpret the inventory, planning, management, and monitoring of key data.

4) Knowledge of BLM's program planning and budgeting system, including land use planning, activity plans, BPSS, PMDS, or their replacement programs and the like.

5)  Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with the various publics - ranchers, miners, loggers, environmentalists, recreation/sports enthusiasts, and other agency professionals -- as well as staff specialists, program leaders an manager within the BLM. 


To preview questions please click here.

Bureau of Land Management

The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The BLM, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Agency contact information

Amy Britt
Phone
541-573-4418
Email
abritt@blm.gov
Address
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Oregon State Office, OR-953
1220 SW Third
Portland, Oregon 97204
United States

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