- Position Title
- Forester
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 23-WCS-TM-11971490-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, 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.
Select the one statement below that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a GS-11 Forester.
3.
Select the one statement below that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a GS-12 Forester.
For each of the following tasks, choose the statement from the list below that best describe your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and demonstrated capability. Your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and other relevant documents you submit.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Participate in integration of programs and budgets to foster efficient and effective restoration of ecosystems.
5.
Plan and conduct studies on complex problems created by natural resources practices and other vegetative management activities.
6.
Keep abreast of state-of-the-art information to serve as a consultant or advisor on all aspects of timber management and program integration.
7.
Collaborate with resource specialists to resolve vegetative management issues for meeting silviculture prescriptions.
8.
Advise resource management specialists and other staff officers on the process of timber designation and preparing stewardship/timber sale contracts.
9.
Oversee and/or conduct technical field reviews to assess consistency of activities with direction and techniques.
10.
Plan and conduct studies on complex problems created by natural resources practices and vegetative management activities.
11.
Take the lead on timber and stewardship programs for the unit.
12.
Prepare long-range functional plans, including formulating policies, objectives, and priorities to support the timber program.
13.
Formulate policies, objectives, and priorities as part of natural resource and land management long-range planning.
14.
Lead the development of short and long-term action plans for integrated vegetation programs and associated budgets.
15.
Participate in the development of short and long-term action plans for integrated vegetation programs and associated budgets.
16.
Evaluate adequacy and effectiveness of vegetation management programs through periodic on the-ground inspections.
17.
Analyze deviations and unusual local situations and initiate corrective actions.
18.
Develop recommendations for the improvement of techniques and policies.
19.
Collaborate and develop technical guides and standards for timber resources.
20.
Work with a wide variety of internal and external partners and groups to develop mutually beneficial programs or projects on public lands.
21.
Inspect programs for compliance with established policies, standards, program objectives, and emphasis.
22.
Study and synthesize current research studies and report related findings to integrated resource management.
23.
Work with resource specialists to identify restoration work, designate timber, and prepare contracts.
24.
Maintain liaison with diverse organizations and levels of the agency, local operators, groups, and representatives to obtain support and understanding of programs, operations, and direction.
25.
Work with resource specialists to resolve vegetative management issues.
26.
Facilitate coordination between staff areas to provide information about research studies and its use for subordinate units.
27.
Work closely with coordinators of insect and disease control programs regarding management, practices and techniques.
28.
Identify need, organize and direct training in new or improved management practices and techniques.
29.
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.