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Tribal Relations Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Southwestern Region Regional Office in Albuquerque, NM.

Serves as the Regional Tribal Relations Specialist and point of contact for the American Indian Tribes having an interest in the activities of the Region.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Elaine Kohrman at 505-221-8297 or elaine.kohrman@usda.gov.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/13/2023 to 03/27/2023
Salary
$99,451 to - $99,451 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Albuquerque, NM
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Expect overnight travel several times per year for tribal partner and other professional meetings and training.
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
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-R3SVMAR-11866441-DP-DJQ
Control number
711652700

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Duties

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  • Represent the agency in the government-to-government relations between the agency and various tribes within the region, including those who have an interest in the activities of the region and its forests.
  • Serve as principal advisor to agency leadership in the concerns, interest, and involvement of American Indian issues.
  • Provide expert advice using the framework of legal, policy, and manual and handbook guidance.
  • Present training on American Indian traditional uses, customs and practices, sacred site issues and how to work with tribal entities.
  • Plan projects and activities to ensure protection of American Indian rights and tribal rights and concerns.
  • Participate with counterparts in reviewing and drafting national policy, program processes, and design/development of programs to compliment cultural differences between the American Indian Tribal Governments and the agency.
  • Provide oversight to ensure and maintain effective government-to-government relationships among the forests and grasslands within the region, and tribes or groups of American Indian people located within the region.
  • Plan the work to be accomplished within the Tribal Relations program area.
  • Promote and support a positive work environment to create a climate of mutual respect and integrity.

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.

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-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service defined as experience working in a natural or cultural resources environment for or with a Federally recognized tribal government, Native American/Alaska Native tribal or inter-tribal organization or institution, or in a tribal community performing two or more of the following: Administering and/or managing work relating to issues and rights of importance to Native American tribes; and/or Developing briefing materials to educate on a significant or controversial issue related to Native American tribe(s); and/or Developing public outreach and other strategies to improve relationships between tribal, state, local, and/or federal governments; and/or Providing consultation on tribal rights and concerns during development of plans, projects, programs and activities.

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 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.


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/

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, 877-372-7248, Option 1, or email SM.FS.asc_tos@usda.gov

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing is not available.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

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 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/11866441

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