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Forester

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

Summary

These positions are located in BLM Oregon State Office.

Duty locations are:
Grants Pass, Oregon - Medford District
Klamath Falls, Oregon - Klamath Falls Field Office
Medford, Oregon - Medford District
Roseburg, Oregon - Roseburg District

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/14/2022 to 10/27/2022
Salary
$44,740 to - $86,074 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Grants Pass, OR
Klamath Falls, OR
Medford, OR
Roseburg, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
NCS/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
OR-23-DE-11668408-FLF
Control number
682791200

Duties

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Salary Ranges
GS-07 : $44,740 - $58,158
GS-09 : $54,727 - $71,146
GS-11 : $66,214 - $86,074

At the GS-07 level : At this grade level the advanced trainee is continuing to develop skills and performs progressively more complicated tasks associated with road layout, logging systems, sale planning and layout, interdisciplinary (ID) team/EA work and assisting in the development of long-range forest management plans. The employee works with team members in the technical aspects of logging systems, forest engineering, forest management planning, and documentation of NEPA compliance. As a trainee, the individual learns the technical aspects of road layout in support of harvest activities, and learns to prepare viable and acceptable logging and harvest plans. In addition, the individual may serve as a member of an ID team that develops and designs projects for the forest management program, is taught to identify forest management activities on specific forest land tracts, and is trained to maintain and edit a variety of geospatial data.

At the GS-09 level : The individual in this position performs a variety of less complex assignments in the forestry program functional area involving conventional or well precedent assignments. The purpose of this position is to work in the myriad of work functions within the District/Field Office's forestry program. These functions include the following: Work involving forest landscapes, forest and woodland sale planning, forest product sales and administration, reforestation, and forest stand improvements. The incumbent plans and implements technical projects and performs leadership duties in support of forestry-oriented, multiple-use land management programs, including coordination of appropriate staff to accomplish the work. The incumbent reports to the District Manager, Field Manager, or other supervisory official.

At the GS-11 level : This position serves as a forester in a Bureau of Land Management Field Office. The position is established to plan and layout timber sales as well as to administer timber sale contracts. The position could also entail managing the special forest products program. This position is critical to the successful accomplishment of the District's long-range forest management program, meeting the objectives of the Forest Plan, and providing solutions for technical, budgetary, staffing, and customer service needs related to forest management. The incumbent in this position serves as a specialist or team lead on designated forest management projects. The incumbent performs a variety of functions in the areas of timber sale planning, environmental assessment preparation, logging systems, contract preparation and administration, landscape forestry/ecology, trespass and/or special forest products administration.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
In order to qualify, you must meet BOTH the Basic and Additional qualification requirements for at least one grade level described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT for the 0460 series:

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 the following major field of study and specific course requirements as stated below:
A. Degree: Forestry; or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours of course work was in forestry. The curriculum must have been sufficiently diversified to include courses in each of the following areas: (NOTE: You must submit transcripts)
  • Management of Renewable Resources -- examples of creditable courses in this area include silviculture, forest management operations, timber management, wildland fire science or fire management, utilization of forest resources, forest regulation, recreational land management, watershed management, and wildlife or range habitat management.
  • Forest Biology -- examples of creditable courses in this area include dendrology, forest ecology, silvics, forest genetics, wood structure and properties, forest soils, forest entomology, and forest pathology.
  • Forest Resource Measurements and Inventory -- examples of creditable courses include forest biometrics, forest mensuration, forest valuation, statistical analysis of forest resource data, renewable natural resources inventories and analysis, and photogrammetry or remote sensing.
OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in forestry, or at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours were in forestry. The requirements for diversification of the 24 semester hours in forestry are the same as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. (NOTE: You must submit transcripts)

Qualifications

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH GRADE: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

GS-07:
A. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following in a developmental capacity: (1) assisting with the development or implementation of forest management plans such as timber sale planning, reforestation, timber stand improvement, or landscape forestry; (2) preparing/analyzing logging and harvest plans, silvicultural treatments, or timber sale contracts to ensure compliance; (3) interacting with various groups of people to investigate, exchange, or report information related to forest programs.
OR
Education:
Have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of transcripts.
OR
Meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement by earning a bachelor's degree with at least one of the following (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA or higher for required courses completed in a major field of study during junior and senior year of a 4-year college or university; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or a major subdivision of the college, such as the College of Liberal Arts, based on completed courses; or (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position being filled. NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of transcripts.
OR
Combination education and experience:
Successfully completed a combination of education and experience as described above that, when converted to percentages, equal at least 100% of the total requirement. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

GS-09:
A. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) preparing and/or implementing timber sale and silvicultural service contracts; (2) executing long range forest management plans such as logging systems, road layout, harvesting, tree improvement, or landscaping; (3) developing forest management plans, forest inventory analysis, environmental assessments, or forest history reports; (4) preparing data, briefings, or trainings to explain or exchange forest management information to the general public.
OR
Education:
Have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in the basic requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education).
OR
Combination education and experience:
Have successfully completed a combination of education and experience as described above that, when converted to percentages, equal at least 100% of the total requirement. To calculate your combined amount, first determine the amount of your specialized experience as a percentage of the requirement listed above. Then determine the amount of your graduate education in excess of one full year (18 semester hours) as a percentage of the requirement listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

GS-11:
A. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) planning and/or maintaining long-range forest management programs including timber sale and silvicultural service contract administration; (2) providing program oversight on all projects related to special forest products, landscape forestry, reforestation, silvicultural treatments, etc.; (3) developing plans, assessments, and recommendations for environmental assessments; (4) conducting briefings or trainings on forest management activities/plans to other agencies, special interest groups, or the general public.
OR
Education:
Have three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in the basic requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education.
OR
Combination education and experience:
Have successfully completed a combination of education and experience as described above that, when converted to percentages, equal at least 100% of the total requirement. To calculate your combined amount, first determine the amount of your specialized experience as a percentage of the requirement listed above. Then determine the amount of your graduate education in excess of the first two years (36 semester hours) as a percentage of the requirement listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Volunteer Experience: 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 include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Additional information

  • May be required to complete background investigation.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Physical Demands: Field work requires long periods of time walking over steep and rough terrain, extremely dense brush, logging slash and tree-covered terrain. The ground is often wet and occasionally covered with snow.

Working Conditions: The forester operates motor vehicles on steep, narrow, mountainous roads where heavy construction equipment can be encountered. Outdoor work requires the use of special safety equipment such as hard hats, eye protection and boots. The remainder of the incumbent's time is spent in an office setting.

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

Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. See "Other" section for additional information on 2017 Tax Cuts as related to PCS.

BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible see http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessments, including a Subject Matter Expert Resume Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed below that are required to successfully perform the job.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • Forest Management
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Competence

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