Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Preparation)
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
19-R6OCR-462-TSP-4-5G Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, March 22, 2019 to Monday, September 23, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference? (limit characters)
The following section is used to determine your eligibility for appointment in the Federal Government or Status for referral consideration. Please indicate by your responses all categories of eligibilities for which you would like to be considered. You will only be considered under eligibilities that you select. If you are not able to select at least one of the eligibilities below, you are not eligible to be considered for this position.

NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will render you not eligible for consideration.

See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.
 (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you:
  • are retired from active duty military service and have been rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more; OR,
  • have a notice of compensable disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, dated 1991 or later, or a notice of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces, showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources. 

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.   (limit characters)
3. Are you a current federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy
  • the vacancy does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you're being separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  (limit characters)
4. Did you accompany a family member who was officially assigned to an overseas duty station?  If yes, confirm that you meet all of the following:
  • you are the family member's spouse, domestic partner, or unmarried child younger than 23 years old
  • you worked at least 52 weeks in an appropriated fund position, under a local appointing authority
  • you received a successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating during your time on the job
  • you are within the 3-year eligibility period from the date of returning from overseas to the United States to resume residence.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  
  (limit characters)
5. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (not for training)? If yes, confirm that you are indicated on the permanent change of station (PCS) orders, and you:
  • have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders
  • are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,
  • have not previously been appointed to a permanent position using this authority under these orders

- OR - 

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100% or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans Affairs?  

- OR- 

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.   (limit characters)
6. Are you a current Federal career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who currently holds or previously held a lower grade with no promotion potential as the position being announced?

Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement.  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with no promotion potential and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".
 
If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1". (limit characters)
7. Are you a current Federal career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who currently holds or previously held a position with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement.  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-7, answer "No".
 
If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1". (limit characters)
8. Permanent non-Federal County employees are eligible to compete as merit applicants when applying for a Federal position within the Department of Agriculture.  Are you a current permanent Farm Service Agency (FSA) County employee?
  (limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy
  • the vacancy does not have greater promotion potential than your current or last permanent position; AND, 
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  (limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND, 
  • if you are no longer employed by the land management agency, have you been separated for no more than two years and did you depart from that position in good standing? 
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  (limit characters)
11. The following is a partial list of appointing authorities that are authorized by statute or court order.  These authorities are not regulated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  Are you currently serving on an appointment under one of the following authorities?    
 
  • Postal Career Service Employee (39 USC 1006)
  • Postal Rate Commission Employee (39 USC 3604(e))
  • Government Accountability Office Employee (31 USC 732(g))
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee (28 USC 602, Public Law 101-474)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (Public Law 103-317, Section 115 
-OR-
 
Are you currently serving under an authority authorized by statute or court order that is not listed? 

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  (limit characters)
12. Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,

Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension?  Note, you must provide documentation to support your request; OR,

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.   (limit characters)
13. Do you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A disability appointment?  (Severe physical disabilities include but are not limited to blindness, deafness, paralysis, missing limbs, epilepsy, dwarfism, and more.) 

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  (limit characters)
14. Have you completed a qualifying conservation project(s) with the US Forest Service?  If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
  • you received a Public Land Corps - Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status
  • you were between 16 and 30 years old (inclusive) when the certification of eligibility was signed
  • you completed a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects that included at least 120 hours on Public Lands Corps projects; AND,
  • you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.   (limit characters)
15. Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who held a lower grade with no promotion potential as the position being announced?
 
Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement.  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with no promotion potential and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".

If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".  Note:  If you separated with a tenure of "2" and you are not a veterans' preference eligible, the time-limit for reinstatement is three years after the date of your separation.    (limit characters)
16. Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional permanent, competitive service employee who held a position with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

Promotion potential is the highest grade level of the job and it can be different from the entry grade on the announcement.  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-6, answer "Yes".  Example:  If you are in or previously held a GS-5 position with promotion potential to the GS-6 and the position being announced is a GS-7, answer "No".
 
If you answer "Yes", you must provide copies of your Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50s, which show the highest permanent grade or grades held, Tenure - block 24 must show a "1" or "2", AND Position Occupied - block 34 must show a "1".  Note:  If you separated with a tenure of "2" and you are not a veterans' preference eligible, the time-limit for reinstatement is three years after the date of your separation. (limit characters)
17. Are you a former Resource Assistant with the US Forest Service?  If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
  • you received a Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status Based on Resource Assistants Program
  • you successfully completed a minimum of 960 hours of full- or part-time work, not to exceed 3,500 hours over a two-year period
  • you earned an undergraduate (associate or bachelor) or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education; AND, 
  • you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.   (limit characters)
18. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge from active duty was under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) OR if you are currently on active duty, can you provide written certification of your expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted?

If yes, confirm you:
  • are a preference eligible (this includes those family members entitled to derived preference, i.e., spouse, widow, widower, parent); OR, 
  • served 3 or more years of continuous active duty service in the armed forces.  (NOTE: If you were released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility.)
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide. 
  (limit characters)
19. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) OR if you are currently on active duty, can you provide written certification of your expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted?

If yes, confirm you:
  • are in receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition;  OR, 
  • are a disabled veteran; OR, 
  • are in receipt of an Armed Forces Service Medal and/or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for participation in a military operation;  OR, 
  • are recently separated veteran (separated from active duty within the last 3 years); OR, 
  • are currently active duty and will submit certification of your expected discharge or release from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of the submission of the certification.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans Resources. 

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide. (limit characters)
20. If you are a current or former Foreign Service employee, confirm you:
  • served in the Foreign Service under an unlimited, career-type appointment;
  • immediately before your separation from that appointment, you completed at least 1 year of continuous service without a break of a workday under one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments, which may have included the service that made you eligible for a career-type appointment; AND,
  • you are within 3 years from separation from the Foreign Service career-type appointment; OR, you are entitled to veterans' preference; OR,  you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  (limit characters)
21. Are you currently serving under an appointment without time limit in another merit system covered by an interchange agreement? -OR -
 
Were you involuntarily separated (not because of unacceptable conduct or performance) within the past year from an appointment without time limit in another merit system covered by an interchange agreement? -AND-
 
Did you serve continuously under an appointment without time limit for at least 1 year in the other merit system prior to appointment under the interchange agreement?
 
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.

If claiming eligibility under this authority, review the Required Documents for Hiring Authorities Quick Guide.  (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the statements below, select the response that best describes your education and/or experience as it pertains to meeting the Basic Requirements for the Forestry Technician, GS-0462-04 position. Please select only one response.
 (limit characters)
2. From the statements below, select the response that best describes your education and/or experience as it pertains to meeting the Basic Requirements for the Forestry Technician, GS-0462-05 position. Please select only one response.
 (limit characters)
For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information provided by your references. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. (limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Select and mark individual trees for harvest using marking methods and specific instructions.
 (limit characters)
4. View aerial photographs to locate ground features.
 (limit characters)
5. Identify local tree species and common characteristics important to selection of harvest trees.
 (limit characters)
6. Participate in other aspects of resource management support work such as recreation, maintenance, silviculture, and tree planting.
 (limit characters)
7. Follow instructions issued in a timber cruise plan.
 (limit characters)
8. Conduct sample measurements of forest stands to estimate the amount of standing timber.
 (limit characters)
9. Apply silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate harvest timber.
 (limit characters)
10. Determine area of timber resources by traversing harvest unit boundaries and road locations.
 (limit characters)
11. Use standard forest measurement tools such as diameter tape, tree calipers, clinometer, angle gauge, prism, compass, and increment borer.
 (limit characters)
12. Report areas of possible archeological significance, and/or sightings of sensitive threatened or endangered wildlife species.
 (limit characters)
13. Lay out and post boundaries with survey stakes or tape.
 (limit characters)
14. Take tree diameter and height measurements to calculate tree volume.
 (limit characters)
15. Determine heights, diameters, age, defects, distance and tree species for the appraiser to determine the potential value of a stand of timber.
 (limit characters)
16. Report storm damage, pest infestation, and illegal logging to supervisor.
 (limit characters)
17. Assess quality and determine defects in timber.
 (limit characters)
18. Complete assigned resource management support tasks within established deadlines.
 (limit characters)
19. Prepare, process, and interpret reports of timber cruise data using a computerized system.
 (limit characters)
20. Perform calculations or other tasks involving numerical details such as data entry and stock inventory within the allowable margin of error.
 (limit characters)
21. Log or write down details such as measurements, dates, conditions on a timely basis for others who need to act on the data.
 (limit characters)
22. I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
 (limit characters)
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