- Position Title
- Tribal Relations Specialist
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 22-RESGVA-11518326-DP-APL Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, June 3, 2022 to Friday, June 17, 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?
2.
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.
• 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.
3.
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.
• 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.
4.
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?
• 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?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Tribal Relations Specialist, GS-0301-12/13 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your responses to the questions in the questionnaire and the information provided in your completed application will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position. PLEASE NOTE: Attach all transcripts, both graduate and undergraduate, to ensure consideration for this position. Transcripts must show the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. Your resume or application materials must support the answers you select.
1.
These Tribal Relations Specialist positions support tribal-government collaboration and are therefore associated with specific geographic regions of the US. For all positions, the selectee must be located within a Forest Service Research Station or Region. These positions may be entirely remote or may be telework eligible and have a designated Forest Service office location depending on the needs of the unit. The final determination of duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer. In what geographic region(s)of the country will you accept this position? Please check all that apply. Please see Additional Information section in job announcement for maps and more location information.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal Laws, executive orders, court decisions, treaties, and agreements affecting relevant urban and rural communities, and tribal governments which govern the Forest Service relationship with American Indian tribes is required to prepare recommendations for legislation to change the way programs are implemented. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of American Indian issues and concerns is required to advise agency officials.
To be considered for this position, your resume must clearly show that you have in-depth knowledge and a minimum of one year's experience working in natural or cultural resources for a Federally recognized tribal government, Native American/Alaska Native tribal or inter-tribal organization or institution, or in a tribal community.
2.
SCREEN OUT FACTOR: Do you have in-depth knowledge and a minimum of one year's experience working in natural or cultural resources for or with a Federally recognized tribal government, Native American/Alaska Native tribal or inter-tribal organization or institution, or in a tribal community?
Specialized Experience Requirements for the GS-12 level
3.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-12 grade level of this Tribal Relations Specialist position.
Specialized Experience Requirements for the GS-13 level
4.
From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for the GS-13 grade level of this Tribal Relations Specialist position.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Use knowledge of tribal protocol and policies to provide advice and recommendation regarding activities affecting American Indian tribal rights or trust resources.
6.
Provide written input on management of sacred sites and public lands using knowledge of tribal perspectives
7.
Incorporate knowledge of unique tribal government operations, and the cultural sensitivity associated with tribal customs and traditions into governmental decision-making.
8.
Promote cooperation between parties to enhance and improve the governmental relationship among various tribes and/or agencies with interests in a geographic area.
9.
Plan projects and activities to ensure protection of American Indian rights and tribal rights and concerns.
10.
Advise land management leadership of protocol, practices, and ideology that affect regional activities using understanding of American Indian governmental issues and concerns
11.
Use knowledge of American Indian cultures to communicate effectively with agency and tribal leaders, other organizations, dignitaries, and elected officials on critical issues facing American Indian tribes.
12.
Create partnerships with diverse American Indian tribes to incorporate their specific tribal interests, concerns, issues and values. .
13.
Collaborate with tribal governments to implement government programs and seek opportunities for mutual benefits.
14.
Collaborate with American Indian advocacy groups or organizations to implement programs and seek opportunities for mutual benefits.
15.
Represent an agency in working with tribe(s), ensuring that the rights of sovereign Indian nations are fully respected and incorporated into a government-to-government relationship.
16.
Provide leadership to ensure that the rights of sovereign Indian nations are fully respected.
17.
Facilitate discussion of controversial topics and address difficult issues related to tribal relationships.
18.
Develop strategies to improve relationships between tribes and governmental agencies.
19.
Prepare recommendations for tribal or federal legislation to ensure equity and inclusion of tribal concerns in the implementation of government programs
20.
Provide guidance on criteria, policies, standards, and procedures in both government agencies and/or American Indian organizations and groups.
21.
Use interest-based negotiation to resolve conflict, negotiate agreements,and achieve objectives with respect to tribal entities.
22.
Use persistence and persuasion to ensure acceptance, adoption and implementation of policies which may be new or in conflict with traditional procedures.
23.
Use knowledge of the unique legal relationship of the United States Government with American Indian tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, and court decisions to provide sound advice using the framework of legal, policy, and guidance.
24.
Provide oversight to ensure and maintain effective federal government-to-tribal government relationships.
25.
Incorporate knowledge of federal laws, executive orders, court decisions, treaties, and agreements affecting tribal governments into government decisions and program implementation.
26.
Evaluate the content of new or modified legislation (federal/tribal/state) for projected impact upon organizational programs and resources.
27.
Incorporate knowledge of American Indian treaty rights relative to customs, culture, and traditional use of natural resources and land management practices into federal land management decision-making.
28.
Use knowledge of the historical relationship between Native Americans and federal government pertaining to Federal Indian laws to guide decision-making.
29.
Provide periodic reports concerning activities and progress in improving agency and tribal relationships and activities.
30.
Provide advice and guidance to staff who work in tribal and governmental affairs on appropriate interaction to ensure the government-to-government relationship is respected and adhered to.
31.
Provide group and one-on-one training pertaining to governmental tribal relations.
32.
Use understanding of American Indian cultures, Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK), and contemporary customs, protocols, and belief systems to provide advice and input into agency decision making.
33.
Present training on American Indian traditional uses, customs and practices, sacred site issues, and how to work with tribal governments.
34.
Identify and recognize barriers that may exclude American Indian tribes and tribal members in order to advise leadership.
35.
Translate legislation and policy into program goals, actions, and services.
36.
If any of your education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. Contacts for private organizations that specialize in this evaluation is located here: http://www.naces.org/members.htm. A fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
37.
Please select the statement(s) that reflect your educational achievement(s). Transcripts, certificates, or other appropriate documentation must be included with this application to verify GPA, coursework, degree, and/or completion of trade or vocational school program.
38.
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.