Forestry Technician (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Summary About the Position: Serve as Forestry Technician (Motor Vehicle Operator) in a developmental capacity, assisting professional forestry personnel in the management of woodlands using practical knowledge of scientific methods and special equipment to accomplish the various activities of forest management and fire control. Duties Locate and record endangered species, critical wildlife habitat, wetlands, archaeological, and other environmentally sensitive sites. Participate in fire management including controlled burning and fire suppression activities. Prepare operating plans for technical projects such as timber cruising, vegetation management, reforestation, and firebreak maintenance. Operate crawlers, wheeled tractors, and hand tools in performing forest management work. Select and mark timber for commercial harvesting. Requirements Conditions of employment Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. This position is subject to on-call 24 hours a day seven days a week in case of emergency to suppress forest fires. Subject to weekend shift assignments. The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License within eight months of hire date. This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position. This position requires heavy lifting up to 50 pounds. Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. General and/or Specialized Experience: Six months of general experience (1) in any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with routine technical support in forestry/farming/ranching operations AND six months of specialized experience which includes 1) Assisting with forest management such as tree harvesting or timber tasks; or 2) assisting with wildland fire activities, such as prescribed burns, suppression, or fire tower operations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03). -OR- Education: Two years of education above the high school level that included at least 12 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 3 semester hours in mathematics is creditable. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 60. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Oral Communication Self-Management Teamwork Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Recruitment and relocation expenses may be authorized. Student loan repayment may be authorized. Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized. This position is being filled at the GS-04 grade level with full performance level of GS-08. Incumbent may be noncompetitively promoted to the full performance level through intervening levels (GS-05, GS-06, GS-07) after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.