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Tribal Relations Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Region 1, Region 4, Region 9
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These are Regional positions for 3 Regions of the USDA Forest Service. Please see the Additional Information section for more information on the Duty Locations.

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.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/04/2021 to 09/03/2021
Salary
$77,488 to - $92,143 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection, United States
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position to attend meetings, trainings and site visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
21-R9GVJUL-0301-FS3641-DP
Control number
609743300

Duties

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  • Duties listed are at the full performance level GS-13.
  • Serve as point-of-contact for the 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 Regional Forester in the government-to-government relations between the Forest Service and the various tribes within the region, including those who have an interest in the activities of the region and its forests.
  • Provide expert advice using the framework of legal, policy, and manual and handbook guidance.
  • Coordinate and provide training with Forest Supervisors 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

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Conditions of employment

  • 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.

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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-12: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting 3 of the 5 following statements: Assisted leadership with dispute resolution between tribes and/or government agencies. Prepared briefing documents, summaries of tribal relations and consultation activities, and/or summaries of specific tribal concerns for leadership review. Coordinated tribal outreach efforts on behalf of an agency or tribe. Attended official tribal meetings and events. Served as a point of contact and/or liaison with federal agencies or Native American organizations.

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 meeting 2 of the 4 following statements: 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.

Additional information

DUTY LOCATION INFORMATION
Duty Location for the Region 1 and Region 4 positions
The official duty station(s) for the 2 positions in the Intermountain Region, and the Northern Region will be a Forest Service office within each of the Regions. The final determination will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. Salary is listed as RUS locality, however, final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location of the selectee. Telework will be offered in accordance with USDA policy."

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact the following: For theR1 and R4 position the contact isDanny McBride, 801-940-4340 or daniel.mcbride@usda.gov .

Duty Location for the Region 9 position
The official duty location for the position in Region 9 will be within the boundaries of the Eastern Region. The final determination will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. Salary is listed as RUS locality, however, final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location of the selectee.

Map of Eastern Region:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r9/home/?cid=stelprd3799515&width=full

For additional information about the duties of the Region 9 position, please contact the following: Nicholas Pardi, 414-297-3640 or nicholas.pardi@usda.gov

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

This is a bargaining unit designated position in all regions.

Government Housing is not available.

Daycare facilities are not available.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

We may select from this job announcement or any other source.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11186789

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