Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Forester
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
22-NHE-0460-7-9G Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, February 25, 2022 to Thursday, March 10, 2022
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)
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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2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
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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. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND,
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND,
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?

For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
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5.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement 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 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

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

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
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6. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?  (limit characters)
7. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?  (limit characters)
8. Are you a Federal 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)
9. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
-OR-
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
-OR-
Are you a current career or limited non-career appointee in the Foreign Service with at least 48 months of continuous service and a most recent performance rating of satisfactory or better? 
-OR-
Are you a former career or limited non-career appointee in the Foreign Service with at least 48 months of continuous service, the most recent performance rating of satisfactory or better, and no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?

NOTE:  If you are a current Foreign Service employee curtailment of an overseas assignment remains subject to the provisions and processes specified in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and/or collective bargaining agreements.
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10.
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.
 
 
(limit characters)
11.
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 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 single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level 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 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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12.
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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13. 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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14.
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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15. 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.
(limit characters)
16. 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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17.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
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18.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND  

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
19. 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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20.
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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21.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?

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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Preferences
1. 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 meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for this position. FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT(S) ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY QUALIFICATIONS BASED ON EDUCATION. PROVIDE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL COURSEWORK. (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 this position. Please select only one response.
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2. From the statements below, select the response that best describes your experience and/or education as it pertains to meeting the Specialized Experience Requirements for the Forester, GS-460-7 position. Please select only one response. (limit characters)
3. From the statements below, select the response that best describes your education and/or experience as it pertains to meeting the Specialized Experience Requirements for the Forester, GS-0460-9 position. Please select only one response.
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For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and/or 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. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Collect field data about timber stand composition, size, and condition to recommend areas for cutting.
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5. Conduct cruises of timber stands in accordance with agency standards and guidelines.
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6. Analyze field data for forest management needs and recommend actions needed to carry out management objectives.
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7. Monitor and oversees cruising and marking of timber in support of timber harvest activities.
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8. Prepare general logging plans and verify logging system settings in support of timber harvest activities.
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9. Analyze forest conditions in areas affected by drought, insects, disease, wind damage, or fire as part of quality control measures.
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10. Determine sale boundaries, proper location of logging roads, acceptable marking and cutting methods, stumpage prices, and the requirements for brush disposal, erosion control, and stand improvement in accordance with agency directives.
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11. Monitor assigned timber sales to report compliance issues to supervisor.
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12. Suggest resolutions or changes to practices and resolutions for misunderstandings, complaints, or violations of regulations regarding forest management issues.
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13. Prepare timber management reports used to evaluate forest management accomplishments.
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14. Collect and analyze watershed data related to timber sale activities.
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15. Arrange for interviews of prospective purchasers and explain contract clauses, road development, and cutting practices in support of business operations.
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16. Develop and maintain liaison with purchaser sales representatives to generate open dialogue.
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17. Discuss technical requirements of contracts to resolve problems concerning contract stipulations and to reach agreement in accordance with agency contracting practices.
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18. Gather data about range conditions in the timber sale area.
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19. Report areas of resource impacts within timber sales to identify issues affecting compliance with environmental assessment.
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20. Gather data to document effects of management on special uses and minerals management.
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21. Collect data about wildlife habitat conditions for consideration in timber sale activities.
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22. Complete environmental assessment reports and environmental impact statements in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act.
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23. Prepare and ensure quality documentation such as detailed maps, advertisements, prospectus, and sample contracts in support of timber sale and harvest activities.
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24. Prepare a summary of all records acceptable for final appraisal, sale contract preparation, as part of subsequent timber management activities.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
25. Do you understand that if you are a current or former (reinstatement) Federal employee and you do not attach your most recent performance rating, dated within the past 18 months, or a document including a statement why you are not attaching your performance rating dated within the past 18 months, your application package will be considered incomplete and you will not be considered for this position? (limit characters)
26. I certify, I have read the announcement and have attached all supporting documents as required in the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement. I understand that failure to submit all required legible documents prior to the closing date of the announcement may result in loss of consideration.
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27. 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)