- Position Title
- Forester (Silviculture)
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 23-WCS-SILV-11970117-G Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, May 17, 2023 to Friday, June 2, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
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.
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.
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 permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
4.
Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
5.
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?
6.
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.
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 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.
• 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.
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?
• 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?
9.
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?
• 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?
10.
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?
• 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?
11.
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.
• 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.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
3.
Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Forester (Silviculture) GS-0460-11/12 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position.
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and experience needed to qualify for this position. PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS.
Basic education requirement for 0460 series.
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 Forester, GS-0460 position. Please select only one response.
Specialized Qualifications
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Forester, GS-0460-11/12. 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.
2.
From the statements below select the response that best describes your education and/or experience as it pertains to meeting the requirement for the Forester, GS-0460-11 position. Please select only one response.
3.
From the statements below select the response that best describes your experience as it pertains to meeting the requirement for the Forester, GS-0460-12 position. Please select only one response.
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.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
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.
5.
Review and approve project plans for special administrative studies of silvicultural methods and techniques.
6.
Determine the degree to which reforestation and stand improve projects conform with policies, procedures, and silvicultural plans.
7.
Provide advice, technical support, and evaluation of proposed and ongoing timber sale programs to prevent loss of timber productivity and damage to the environment.
8.
Assist in the development of long-range vegetation management plans and programs, including formulation of policies, objectives, and priorities, and the correlation and integration of timber plans into the overall land management plans.
9.
Review all compartment prescriptions for technical adequacy and compliance with policies and standards.
10.
Evaluate adequacy and effectiveness of timber improvement programs through periodic on-the-ground inspections of compliance with established policies, standards, program objectives and initiate corrective action.
11.
Serve as a consultant and advisor to line and staff officers and district personnel or equivalent personnel in all facets of reforestation and timber stand improvement techniques and the effect of resource activities on silvicultural plans and programs.
12.
Plan and conduct studies on issues created by timber harvesting and other vegetative management activities such as methodology for regeneration of cut or burned areas and planting techniques.
13.
Provide program leadership for the silviculture program on the forest or equivalent to draft local policy and technical guides and standards for timber marking, reforestation, and timber stand improvement programs.
14.
Lead, oversee, and/or conduct project level NEPA in order to facilitate implementation of specific projects.
15.
Review short-range plans and annual work plans prepared by first level unit personnel for timber sale planning, reforestation, timber stand improvement, and pest management.
16.
Serve as the budget coordinator for the silviculture program which includes coordinating with province staff or equivalent on budget allocations and making adjustments to ensure the silviculture program budget remains within its annual allocations.
17.
Prepare budget reports and project work plans to coordinate and monitor funding for partnership projects.
18.
Monitor expenditures across the Forest or equivalent to keep leadership informed of the status of the silviculture program and budget.
19.
Plan, coordinate, and administer the technical phases of forest area control of animals, insects, or diseases affecting reforestation and regeneration programs.
20.
Plan, coordinate, and evaluate the timber stand improvement program.
21.
Plan and coordinate training on silvicultural principles and practices and timing of silvicultural treatments to achieve multiple-use land management objectives.
22.
Inspect and appraise all phases of reforestation and stand improvement projects.
23.
Prepare plans and technical specification for field projects designed to collect and analyze data related to timber stand classification, volume, and growth.
24.
Coordinate insect, disease, and animal damage control programs as applied to silvicultural activities on the individual operating units.
25.
Provide overall coordination and review accomplishments of the tree improvement programs.
26.
Provide Forest-wide or equivalent coordination advice and program direction in the development of prescriptions for treatment of vegetation.
27.
Provide prescriptions and prescription certification and oversight for vegetation treatment projects, including stand thinning, timber harvest, and prescribed application of fire.
28.
Participate in preparation and review of environmental analysis reports and environmental impact statements.
29.
Serve as a full member of the unit management team and share in setting unit goals and objectives and developing overall unit plans.
30.
Make recommendations for corrective actions as required to bring projects into conformity with policies, procedures, and plans.
31.
Prescribe cutting practices based on an examination of stand conditions and esthetic or other resource requirements.
32.
Coordinate silvicultural needs with other resource specialists.
33.
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.
34.
Provide technical assistance on mutual reforestation problems.
35.
Conduct training on silvicultural principles and practices, including planting and seeding procedures, ground and seedbed preparation and timber stand improvement techniques.
36.
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.