Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Prep)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This type of announcement provides the Forest Service with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found at https://fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/25/2021 to 05/31/2022
Salary
$31,520 to - $39,311 per year

Salary is listed as Rest of United Stated (RUS) locality. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 6
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Gainesville, GA
Murphysboro, IL
Pineville, LA
Gladstone, MI
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
75% or less - Overnight lodging will be required for meetings, training and project work.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
6
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-R8R9OCR-462-TSP-4-5-6-DP
Control number
618243400

Duties

Help
  • Duties listed are at the full performance level (GS-06).
  • Conducts timber cruises and surveys within varying stand conditions to locate and estimate the quantity of timber on a given area, according to species, type, and quality.
  • Estimates volume, defect, and quality of timber in a given area.
  • Measures and defects timber on the ground using maps and written cruise plans provided by an advanced cruiser that explain sampling intensity, plot locations, type of cruise and any special instructions.
  • Under supervision of a professional forester, and using pre-established marking rules, selects and marks trees to be harvested or left uncut.
  • Lays out boundaries of cutting areas as outlined in the NEPA, considering variables such as accessibility, steep slopes, stream protection, nesting tree protection, wildlife impacts, fuels management and regeneration requirements.
  • Marks trees using marking rules in areas complicated by variations in type, species composition, defect, site, age, class, etc. Prepares area maps, marks unit boundaries and occasionally uses GPS to record boundary locations.
  • Is able to follow clear direction given by supervisor or other senior personnel and implement it efficiently, producing high quality outcomes that meet Regional standards.
  • Summarizes cruising and marking data and prepares reports and topographic maps indicating quantity of timber, condition of area, difficulties to be encountered, etc.

Requirements

Help

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.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

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-04 level: Applicants must have six months of general experience AND six months of specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position; OR successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR an appropriate combination of experience and education above high school as described above. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university and include courses that are related to the occupation of the position. Examples of general experience are: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping, e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants; worked as an animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store; other work experience, paid or unpaid, e.g., volunteer work at a park, youth camp, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc. Examples of specialized experience are: Performed natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc.

For the GS-05 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level; OR successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position; OR successful completion of a 4-year course of study that included at least 24 semester hours in forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 credit hours in mathematics is creditable); OR combination of education and specialized experience that together meets the requirements of the position being filled. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Examples of specialized experience are: Performed work as part of crew conducting forestry related support such as selecting and marking individual trees for harvest while following defined marking guidelines and silviculture prescriptions; performed Timber marking in varying stand conditions to locate and estimate the quantity of timber according to species, product, and quality; assisted in cruising of timber to include measurements for tree diameter, tree height, defect and quality determination, plot limiting distances, and related fundamental timber cruising procedures.

For the GS-06 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Examples of specialized experience are: Followed defined marking guidelines and complex silviculture prescriptions to select and mark individual trees for harvest; used topographic maps, aerial photos, and experience with map and compass navigation for timber marking activities; independently cruised timber to include measurements for tree diameter, tree height, defect and quality determination, plot limiting distances, and related fundamental timber cruising procedures; entered tree measurements into data recorder and used a GPS instrument to record accurate boundary locations; laid out boundaries of cutting areas as outlined in the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documentation, considering variables such as accessibility, steep slopes, stream protection, nesting tree protection, wildlife impacts, fuels management and regeneration requirements; reported situations where specific prescriptions do not fit ground conditions to responsible individual.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The incumbent is a member of the Regional Timber Strike Team performing presale, sale administration and similar duties as part of the timber management program.

Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations can be found on the Forest Service website.


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.

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.

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.

Bargaining Unit Status: Eligible - Coverage is dependent upon unit location.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing is not available.

Daycare facilities are not available.


This position is not eligible for telework.

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/

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/11269318

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.