This position performs technical fieldwork supporting forestry programs, including collecting and analyzing forest resource data, assisting with timber sales, mapping, and forest inventories. Supports forest management activities such as planting, thinning, pest and disease control, and environmental planning, while ensuring data accuracy and compliance.
Positions are temporary (6 months/1,039 hours) with no promotion potential.
Summary
This position performs technical fieldwork supporting forestry programs, including collecting and analyzing forest resource data, assisting with timber sales, mapping, and forest inventories. Supports forest management activities such as planting, thinning, pest and disease control, and environmental planning, while ensuring data accuracy and compliance.
Listed salary reflects the Rest of U.S. pay scale. Final salary will be determined by duty location and applicable locality pay scale.
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - This is a temporary appointment. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status and will be for a period not-to-exceed 1039 hours in a service year.
Work schedule
Full-time - NSIT current work schedule is 8 days on, 6 days off. Schedule may change based on workload.
Selectee will be required to complete a favorable background/suitability investigation/determination.
Position may require wear of an agency approved uniform while in duty status.
You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
You must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed.
You may not hold an active real estate license, or have interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the below qualification requirements. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience must be comparable in scope, complexity, and responsibility to the work performed at the next lower grade level. Experience may have been gained in the Federal service, private sector, military, or volunteer work, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, or other work, and must be clearly documented in your resume. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.
This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) that must be met. To be considered you must meet one of the below requirements:
Experience in at least one of the following: forestry aid or technician work; engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on non forest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment; Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; or forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work.
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or (b) that included at least 24 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 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable.
To qualify for the GS-05 level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 as indicated by the following examples: Experience in the collection of forest and woodland management data regarding location, size, character, species, extent, volume, rate of growth, and quality of timber. Examining timber stands to determine need for insect and disease control work. Experience marking boundary layout of timber sales, designating timber to be removed in timber sales. Experience in map reading, compass use, navigation, or traversing. OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 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. OR A combination of specialized experience and qualifying education.
To qualify for the GS-06 level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 as indicated by the following examples: Experience determining or supporting work related to tree measurements, map reading, compass use, species identification, defect recognition and determination, quality determination, traversing, use of aerial photos, and use of timber cruising tools and techniques. Interpreted silvicultural prescriptions and timber marking/damage assessment guides to designate harvest timber/hazard tree. Measured amount and quantity of timber in designated timber sale areas, applied instructions issued in a cruise plan, performed boundary layout of timber sales. OR one year of graduate level education directly related to the work of a Forestry Technician such as forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject matter field directed related to the position; OR a combination of experience and education to meet the total experience.
To qualify for the GS-07level you must meet the above IOR and have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 as indicated by the following examples: Experience utilizing computer programs required for data collection, cruise processing, traversing, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Experience interpreting complex silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate harvest timber/hazard tree. Wrote reports describing timber sale, resource, topographic features, and compliance of timber marking with guidelines. Provided technical assistance to specialists in the development of complex logging plans and preliminary road location, administered limited timber sale contracts. OR one year of graduate level education directly related to the work of a Forestry Technician such as forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject matter field directed related to the position; OR A combination of experience and education to meet the total experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands: Duties involve rigorous fieldwork and travel requiring above average physical performance, endurance, superior conditioning, and at least average agility and dexterity. Work requires prolonged standing, walking crouching and crawling over uneven ground, recurring bending and reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds, shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities.
Work Environment: The work is primarily performed in the field in forested environments where exposure to extremes of heat and cold, rough and slippery terrain, wet weather, biting/stinging insects, irritating or occasionally hazardous chemicals, hostile wildlife, snakes, deadfalls and other hazards are common. Work may require long distance travel by passenger vehicle or commercial aircraft, and operating 4-wheel-drive vehicles under adverse conditions. Incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for several days. The incumbent is required to adhere to all safety rules and regulations and to use personal protective equipment.
Education
Applicants may qualify for these positions based on experience, education, or an equivalent combination as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-6/7.
If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.
Additional information
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
This position is not eligible for Telework.
We expect to fill 3 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. All positions may not be filled or they may be filled at different times depending on budget, hiring needs, and requirements. These positions are temporary and are expected to last for up to 6 months. These positions have no promotion potential, if you want to be considered for a higher grade you must apply for the higher grade.
If selected from this announcement you may be rehired for identical positions without further competition based on work needs, funding, or any other condition of employment.
If selected from this or a similar competitive, seasonal announcement, your appointment may be creditable for consideration under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)?. The Act allows certain individuals, who have or had time-limited appointments at land management agencies, to compete for any permanent position in the competitive service under "internal" merit promotion procedures. For more information, see the section under Eligibility, which starts with Question #15 (Q15. Who is eligible for appointment under these provisions?).
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.
After the application period closes, your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Please make sure your resume clearly explains your experience and supports your questionnaire responses. Qualified applicants will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Applicants in the Best Qualified category may be referred to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview. CTAP, iCTAP, and Veterans preference will be applied. Eligible CTAP/iCTAP applicants who are rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above will receive priority. Eligible Veterans in the Best Qualified category may receive priority consideration over non-Veterans.
Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Forest Management, Teamwork, and Technical Competence
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume and Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.
Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on education, you must submit copies of all college transcripts (official or unofficial) showing course names, credit hours, grades, and degree if applicable, from an accredited U.S. college or university. If selected, official transcripts will be required before you can be hired. If you are using foreign education, you must provide proof (evaluation statement) that your education has been evaluated and found equivalent to education from an accredited U.S. institution. For more information on crediting foreign education visit Department of Education.
Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, submit all applicable documents.
A copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred) showing your dates of active duty and type of discharge.
For current active duty members, submit a letter written on a letterhead from your Unit/Battalion/Brigade that states at a minimum, your military service entry date, estimated discharge date, type of separation (retirement, medical, regular), character of service (honorable, general), qualifying campaign medals and/or dates of overseas service during a war/campaign.
Disabled Veterans claiming 10 point preference (CP/CPS) are also required to submit a VA letter that states your combined disability percentage. If selected, you will be required to complete an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
If you are claiming military spouse preference, submit a copy of your spouse's current military orders and copy of marriage certificate. If applying based on military spouse's 100% disability, you must also submit a copy of their VA rating.
If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the DD214, SF-15, Official certification from the military/VA confirming sole survivorship.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, this includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent SF-50 showing current position, grade level and duty location, and most recent performance appraisal.
Documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added do your application. You need to transfer your document(s) in the "Documents" step during the application process.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This position uses an online application process through USAJOBS. You must submit your complete application by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 02/27/2026.
If you need help applying online, contact blm_ca_hrall@blm.gov, be sure to include the vacancy title and number in your request.
Application Steps
Create or log in to your USAJOBS account. You must have a current resume uploaded to your account.
Click "Apply" on this announcement to begin the application.
Complete the online application and questionnaire. Note - You will only be considered for the eligibility options you select. You must submit supporting documentation to verify each eligibility claimed.
Upload documents and review your application. Make sure all required documents are included before submitting. Reminder resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
Submit your application. Applications with missing or incomplete information may not be considered.
You may check the status of your application by logging into your USAJOBS account. All submitted applications appear on your account home page, along with the date they were last updated. We recommend checking your application before the announcement closes to make sure it is complete. It is your responsibility to submit a resume, online questionnaire, and all required documents by the closing date.
BLM California State Office
BLM California State Office, CA-945
2800 Cottage Way
Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
US
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement, at the discretion of Federal hiring officials. Department of the Interior may share the list of eligible candidates with other Federal agencies/departments, authorized to appoint new employees under the same hiring procedures if the position is in the same: job series, grade level, promotion potential, and in the same geographic locations (including the same metro/commuting area) provided herein. You will have the opportunity to "opt-in" to appear on a shared list. "Opt-in" does not guarantee your application will be shared, but you will be contacted in the event your application is shared.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume and Application. At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility. You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.
Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on education, you must submit copies of all college transcripts (official or unofficial) showing course names, credit hours, grades, and degree if applicable, from an accredited U.S. college or university. If selected, official transcripts will be required before you can be hired. If you are using foreign education, you must provide proof (evaluation statement) that your education has been evaluated and found equivalent to education from an accredited U.S. institution. For more information on crediting foreign education visit Department of Education.
Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference, submit all applicable documents.
A copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred) showing your dates of active duty and type of discharge.
For current active duty members, submit a letter written on a letterhead from your Unit/Battalion/Brigade that states at a minimum, your military service entry date, estimated discharge date, type of separation (retirement, medical, regular), character of service (honorable, general), qualifying campaign medals and/or dates of overseas service during a war/campaign.
Disabled Veterans claiming 10 point preference (CP/CPS) are also required to submit a VA letter that states your combined disability percentage. If selected, you will be required to complete an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
If you are claiming military spouse preference, submit a copy of your spouse's current military orders and copy of marriage certificate. If applying based on military spouse's 100% disability, you must also submit a copy of their VA rating.
If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the DD214, SF-15, Official certification from the military/VA confirming sole survivorship.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, this includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent SF-50 showing current position, grade level and duty location, and most recent performance appraisal.
Documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added do your application. You need to transfer your document(s) in the "Documents" step during the application process.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This position uses an online application process through USAJOBS. You must submit your complete application by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 02/27/2026.
If you need help applying online, contact blm_ca_hrall@blm.gov, be sure to include the vacancy title and number in your request.
Application Steps
Create or log in to your USAJOBS account. You must have a current resume uploaded to your account.
Click "Apply" on this announcement to begin the application.
Complete the online application and questionnaire. Note - You will only be considered for the eligibility options you select. You must submit supporting documentation to verify each eligibility claimed.
Upload documents and review your application. Make sure all required documents are included before submitting. Reminder resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
Submit your application. Applications with missing or incomplete information may not be considered.
You may check the status of your application by logging into your USAJOBS account. All submitted applications appear on your account home page, along with the date they were last updated. We recommend checking your application before the announcement closes to make sure it is complete. It is your responsibility to submit a resume, online questionnaire, and all required documents by the closing date.
BLM California State Office
BLM California State Office, CA-945
2800 Cottage Way
Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
US
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement, at the discretion of Federal hiring officials. Department of the Interior may share the list of eligible candidates with other Federal agencies/departments, authorized to appoint new employees under the same hiring procedures if the position is in the same: job series, grade level, promotion potential, and in the same geographic locations (including the same metro/commuting area) provided herein. You will have the opportunity to "opt-in" to appear on a shared list. "Opt-in" does not guarantee your application will be shared, but you will be contacted in the event your application is shared.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
