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Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Preparation)

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located on National Forests in Region 8 performing timber duties as part of the timber management program. Incumbent's duties include timber marking, timber cruising, harvest unit layout, harvest and service contract inspections.

See "Qualifications" section for additional information about each location.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/13/2023 to 03/22/2023
This job will close when we have received 225 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$30,015 to - $37,696 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 3 - 5
Locations
Andalusia, AL
3 vacancies
Brent, AL
2 vacancies
Double Springs, AL
3 vacancies
Heflin, AL
1 vacancy
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
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
23-R8GVA-11868871DH-AW
Control number
711607800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

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Duties

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  • 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

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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.
  • Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if employee will be retained.
  • 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

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.

Basic Requirement for 0462 Series:

For the GS-03 level: Applicants must have six months of general experience. Examples of general experience are: performing farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; working in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; feeding and watering animals, such as in a laboratory, pet store, or zoo.
OR
Successful completion of 1-year of study above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences.
OR
A combination of education and experience listed above.
OR
Successful completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than one year at a technical school or through a military or government sponsored training program that was designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled.

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
A 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
A 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.
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.

For additional information about the duties of the position contact the following:
Double Springs, AL: Blake Addison, 205-489-5111, william.addison@usda.gov
Andalusia/Wing, AL: Anthony Jay Edwards, 334-222-2555 ext. 101, anthony.j.edwards@usda.gov
Brent, AL: Melvin Harris, 479-284-3150, melvin.harris@usda.gov
Heflin and Talladega, AL: Brian Henley, 256-463-2272 ext. 114, brian.henley@usda.gov
Zavalla and Hemphill, TX: Barton Davis, 936-897-1068, barton.davis@usda.gov
Kennard, TX: Kerry Hogg, 936-553-3448, kerry.hogg@usda.gov
New Waverly, TX: Bob Allen, 936-553-3448, robert.allen2@usda.gov
Meadville, MS: Cordero Jordan, 601-384-5876, cordero.france@usda.gov
Ovett, MS: Ray Henderson, 601-428-0594, carlton.henderson@usda.gov
Forest, MS: Bert Wright, 601-469-3811, elbert.wright@usda.gov
McHenry, MS: Antoine Bonner, 601-520-7822, antoine.bonner@usda.gov
Rolling Fork, MS: John Crews, 662-873-6256, john.crews@usda.gov
Potts Camp, MS: Collin Horton, 662-509-1777, collin.horton.usda.gov

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Additional information

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.


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/

This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE or AFGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing is not available.

How you will be evaluated

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

A Direct-Hire Authority under the USDA Demonstration Project will be used to fill this position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, including any applicable selective placement factor(s), will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, the application documents are reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be referred to the selecting official.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect whether you are considered. 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/11868871

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