Summary This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of complex and recurring technical duties individually or as a crew member or leader, in support of the unit's various natural resource management program areas. Responsibilities Performs a variety of duties which are primarily designed to provide work and training experience that will prepare the incumbent for a more advanced position including survey and evaluation techniques. Performs a variety of routine tasks involving techniques/practices relating to natural resources management programs, (i.e., timber and silviculture, recreation and trails, wildlife, fisheries, watershed improvement, range, special uses, and others). Successful accomplishment of one or more of the following assignments supports field projects and program planning activities for the unit. Marks clearly specified softwood and hardwood trees for cutting as sawlogs, pulpwood, posts, poles, etc., according to prescriptions. Traverse Global Positioning System devices, etc., proposed timber sale units using plans and prescriptions, topographic maps, aerial photos, compass. As a member of a timber cruising crew, runs compass lines, paces or measures distances, marks and numbers plots, measures heights and diameters and records data on field data recorders or cards. Personally performs work or inspects work performed under site preparation, planting, and timber stand improvement contracts following established procedures and which involve standard requirements and are limited in size. Contacts recreational visitors to provide factual information and answers questions about recreation opportunities, rules, regulation, and information on resource management practices on the unit. Patrols recreation areas for compliance by day visitors and campers with established rules and regulations posted in the area. As a crew member or leader, performs routine recreation and trail maintenance and cleanup work including repairing minor damage of recreation facilities; i.e., tables, toilets, buildings, signs, fire pits, trails, etc. Conducts surveys of game and non-game wildlife, fish and plant species; counts, sorts, identifies species, and performs measurements. Records data manually and electronically using a Global Positioning System unit and computer. Performs wildlife or fisheries habitat improvement projects such as site preparation for clearings, construction and installation of fish attractors, planting of areas nesting boxes, water developments, establishment of food plots, etc. Assists in conducting water resource inventories, assists in implementation of water resource improvement project plans, and evaluates impacts of Forest management on the aquatic resources. Collects field data on streams and lakes for preparation of survey reports. Assists on range analysis and maintenance and construction of range structural improvements. Participates in noxious plant control, seeding, or similar projects by flagging boundaries, operating equipment, and carrying out studies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. GS-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level; OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing Forestry technician work; or engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices on non-forest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment. Farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use. Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work. Techniques and practices relating to natural resources management programs, (i.e., timber and silviculture, recreation and trails, wildlife, fisheries, watershed improvement, range, special uses, and others). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2025 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between October 20, 2024 to December 29, 2024. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.