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Position Title
Forester (Silviculture)
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
21-R8SVOCT-0811-741715FS-KD Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, November 9, 2020 to Monday, November 16, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
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1. Are you a current Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
2. Are you a Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
 
 
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4. Are you a current or former employee of the US Forest Service who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
  • 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,
  • most recent period of qualifying service was with the US Forest Service; and,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,if you are no longer employed by the US Forest Service, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance?
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.



 
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5. 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.
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6. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
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7. 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.
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8.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
 
 
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9.
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

 For more information, review  Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
 
-OR-
 
 Are you a current:

• Postal Career Service Employee;

• Postal Rate Commission Employee;

• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,

• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
 
 
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10. 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?  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?
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11.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
 
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12.
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,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
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Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position. (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)
1. Select the statement that reflects your education for the 0460 series and/or experience. To be minimally qualified for this position, you must possess the required degree or a combination of education and experience. (limit characters)
2. Select the statement that reflects your experience and or education. Experience claimed should be supported by the information reflected in your resume. (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. Make on-the-ground examinations and analyses of forest areas to determine which areas require short- or long-range cultural treatment in terms of the total ecosystem. (limit characters)
4. Review and approve project plans for special administrative studies of silvicultural methods and techniques. (limit characters)
5. Determine the degree to which reforestation and stand improve projects conform with policies, procedures, and silvicultural plans. (limit characters)
6. Provide advice, technical support, and evaluation of proposed and ongoing timber sale programs to prevent loss of timber productivity and damage to the environment. (limit characters)
7. Plan, coordinate, and administer the technical phases of forest area control of animals, insects, or diseases affecting reforestation and regeneration programs. (limit characters)
8. Plan, coordinate, and evaluate the timber stand improvement program. (limit characters)
9. Plan and coordinate training on silvicultural principles and practices and timing of silvicultural treatments to achieve multiple-use land management objectives. (limit characters)
10. Inspect and appraise all phases of reforestation and stand improvement projects. (limit characters)
11. Participate in preparation and review of environmental analysis reports and environmental impact statements. (limit characters)
12. Serve as a full member of the unit management team and share in setting unit goals and objectives and developing overall unit plans. (limit characters)
13. Make recommendations for corrective actions as required to bring projects into conformity with policies, procedures and plans. (limit characters)
14. Prescribe cutting practices based on an examination of stand conditions and esthetic or other resource requirements. (limit characters)
15. Coordinate silvicultural needs with other resource specialists. (limit characters)
16. Maintain liaison with employees of Federal and State governments, local officials, and private organizations or landowners who are affected by, or interested in, forest land management practices and problems. (limit characters)
17. Provide technical assistance on mutual reforestation problems. (limit characters)
18. Conduct training on silvicultural principles and practices, including planting and seeding procedures; ground and seedbed preparation and timber stand improvement techniques. (limit characters)
19. Promote and support a positive work environment to create a climate of mutual respect and integrity. (limit characters)
20. Establish and communicate guidelines and performance requirements to employees including conducting formal performance reviews and identifying developmental and training needs of employees. (limit characters)
21. Reinforce to others that offensive, harassing, and intimidating behavior will not be tolerated. (Select the answer choice that describes your highest level of experience): (limit characters)
22. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)