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Tribal Relations Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

One position to be filled. This is a Regional Office position however the duty station will be Albuquerque, NM, Phoenix, AZ, orTucson, AZ. Location to be determined at time of selection.

Serves as Assistant 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
$82,830 to - $82,830 per year

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Tucson, AZ
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
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-R3SVMAR-11866674-DP-DJQ
Control number
711654800

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Duties

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  • Represent the agency in working with tribe(s), ensuring that the rights of Sovereign Indian Nations are fully respected and incorporated into building and maintaining relationships.
  • Provide leadership to ensure that the rights of Sovereign Indian Nations are fully respected.
  • Provide consultation that includes tribal protocol and policies regarding activities affecting American Indian tribal rights or trust resources.
  • Advise leadership and other agency officials of any procedural impediments that negatively impact the ability of the agency and its employees to effectively work with tribal governments.
  • Develop strategies to improve relationships between tribes and agencies.
  • Provide advice and guidance to staff who work in tribal affairs on appropriate interaction with Tribal Representatives to ensure the working relationship is respected and adhered to.
  • Provide group and one-on-one training pertaining to tribal relations.
  • Facilitate discussion of controversial topics and address difficult issues related to tribal relationships.

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.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state 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.

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 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 three or more of the following: Assisting leadership with dispute resolution between tribes and/or government agencies; and/or Preparing briefing documents, summaries of tribal relations and consultation activities, and/or summaries of specific tribal concerns; and/or Coordinating tribal outreach efforts on behalf of an agency or tribe; and/or Providing consultation on tribal rights and concerns during development of plans, projects, programs and activities; and/or Serving as a point of contact and/or liaison with federal agencies or Native American organizations.

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/11866674

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