Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Natural Resource Specialist
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
22-NPT-MRS-401-57-FS-HDR Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 to Tuesday, March 29, 2022
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 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10.
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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Preferences
1. Select the location(s) 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)
Recruitment Sources
1. How did you hear about this job opportunity? Please select one and specify if required: (limit characters)
2. Please specify the source you used to find this recruitment action (i.e., Google, San Antonio Express News, Forest Service homepage, etc.). (limit characters)
Reference Check
1. Please enter at least 3 references below. Include first and last name, phone number and email address.
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Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or 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, as well as information provided by your references. Failure to respond to these questions will result in an ineligible rating. (limit characters)
1. Select the statement that best reflects your education and/or experience. To be minimally qualified for this position you must possess the required degree or a combination of education and experience. For a detailed explanation of qualifying education and experience, review the information in the vacancy announcement or visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0400/0401.htm. You will be required to submit transcripts to validate that you meet degree/coursework requirements.
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2. Select the statement that best reflects your experience or educational achievement. Experience claimed must be reflected in your resume. Transcripts must be provided with your application if qualifications are based on educational achievement. (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. Interact effectively in situations where frequent changes, delays or unexpected events arise that cause major shifts in priorities, timetables or work assignments.
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4. Provide constructive feedback to colleagues about their work products.
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5. Collaborate with public land users, partners and permittees to assist in the development and implementation of programs on public lands.
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6. Prepare well-researched and logically organized presentations related to work assignments.
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7. Present facts, issues, and positions that convey the intended information with the appropriate diplomacy and emphasis.
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8. Assist in the preparation of operation and work plans by providing information on existing and proposed improvements, activities and requirements.
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9. Perform a variety of technical/scientific duties in collecting, evaluating and/or interpreting natural resource data.
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10. Collect field data for preparation of management plans.
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11. Participate in the preparation and monitoring of the annual program of work used for carrying out program management decisions.
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12. Participate in the implementation of program plan objectives and full range of projects and activities.
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13. Perform a variety of productive natural resource activities in resource programs such as forest and environmental planning, recreation, special use and permits, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning, lands, wilderness use, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
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14. Perform conventional natural resource projects of moderate difficulty.
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15. Compile data or perform research for input into National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.
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16. Gather, input and analyze information for Geographic Information Systems.
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17. Participate in the administration of recreation special use programs to maintain compliance with agency direction.
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18. Gather facts and information for use in scientific or technical subject matter reports.
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19. Assist in writing papers and reports that presented clear and concise explanations of the scientific or technical subject matter.
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20. Prepare reports of field inspections.
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21. Prepare portions of environmental documents used by senior professionals to formulate recommendations for natural resource projects.
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22. Participate in drafting annual work plans for carrying out natural resource management decisions.
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23. Write communications to address issues as assigned.
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Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your supporting documentation, are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Please take an opportunity to review your responses for their accuracy. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
24. I certify I have read the announcement and have attached all supporting documents as required.
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25. Have you read the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement and 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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26. 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)