Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Position Title
Forester
Agency
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Announcement Number
CO-20-20 Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, February 14, 2020 to Friday, February 28, 2020
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)
2. Are you a current or former 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; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:

• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service, member 4) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
 
(limit characters)
5. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates.  Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA - 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.  

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
 
(limit characters)
6. 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; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
7. 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; and,
• 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; and,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
8. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:

• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,

• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 2 location(s). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification of Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles that are not currently employed with the Federal service will be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(A)(7). (limit characters)
1. Are you submitting Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to claim Indian Preference? Note: You must include your Form BIA-4432. As outlined in the vacancy announcement, this is the ONLY Indian Preference Verification Form that will be accepted.
(limit characters)
Incumbent will be required to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle in the performance of duties, therefore, a valid driver's license is required. Incumbent must have a safe driving record within the three-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607 and be able to meet the safe driving requirements of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (limit characters)
2. Do you possess a valid State Driver's License?
(limit characters)
You must meet the minimum basic educational/experience requirements for Forestry positions. In addition, you must have at least one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level in the federal service. NOTE: Applicants who select any of the responses below must provide transcripts as verification of their education and your resume must support this experience. (limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, select the letter that most accurately and specifically describes the education and/or experience you have that demonstrates how you meet the Basic Qualification Requirements. Mark only 1 response. NOTE: Applicants who select this response must provide transcripts as verification of their education.
(limit characters)
You must meet the specialized experience requirements for GS-0460 comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level in the federal service. Please note that your answers may be verified against the information you provide in your resume/application and information your references provide. The quality, type, and scope of your experience and/or training must demonstrate that you are fully qualified to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Be sure you describe your background as it relates to the duties of this position since your application or resume must support the response you select. In addition, if qualifying based on education, you must submit a complete, legible copy of your official college or university transcript(s) with your application to document academic achievements and receive credit. (limit characters)
4. From the descriptions below, select the letter that most accurately and specifically describes the education and/or experience you have that demonstrates how you meet the Qualification Requirements for a GS-14 FORESTER. Mark only one response.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Position serves as a Bureau expert and staff authority in managing the forestry projects program.
(limit characters)
6. Responsible for providing National level coordination and policy development and guidance for the forestry projects program, to the Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs (ASIA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) installations, tribal governments and other Federal Agencies.
(limit characters)
7. Serves as the staff member with the responsibility for analyzing and evaluating all programs/resources within the Directorate as they relate to forestry along with all issues pertaining to the forestry projects program.
(limit characters)
8. Plans work for subordinate, establishes priorities and prepares schedules for its competition.
(limit characters)
9. Evaluates performance and schedules leave of subordinate.
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10. Interview candidates for position in the program; recommend appointment, promotion or reassignment to such positions.
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11. Prepares performance standards for employee.
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12. Provides review and feedback sessions on performance appraisals.
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13. Responsible for identifying, preparing and coordinating training requirements.
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14. Hear and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager.
(limit characters)
15. Review and prepare narrative budget justifications, furnish statistical and other reports in support of the program, and oversee revision of contract and other forms necessary to accomplish forestry activities.
(limit characters)
16. Review and coordinate, and provide oversight as appropriate, for all forestry projects research, planning, development, and utilization project proposals.
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17. Represent the Forestry program on the operations and maintenance team and other forums, meetings.
(limit characters)
18. Provide analysis and preparation of decisive correspondence in connection with forgoing duties, including appeals from field decisions and major controversies referred to the Central Office for decision.
(limit characters)
19. Develop national policies, standard guides and instructions covering all phase of work involved in the management of Indian and Alaska Native forest resources.
(limit characters)
20. Provide technical direction for the formulation of national policies and procedures for program administration of forest development, woodlands management, THI and youth development.
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21. Evaluate policy and program effectiveness of operations for the purpose of adjusting programs to available funds and conformance to Bureau policies, standards, and procedures, and make recommendations as to corrective measures.
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22. Review and recommend responses to legislative proposals relating to the management of Indian forest resources.
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23. Provide National-level policy guidance and technical assistance to Bureau field programs, tribal governments, individual Indian owners, and other organizations representing the Indian people in planning for and managing forestry projects.
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24. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)