Outreach Notice
Rocky Mountain Region, White River National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
Soil Scientist, GS-0470-11
PLEASE RESPOND BY February 19, 2016
The White River National Forest will soon be filling a Soil Scientist position for the White River National Forest.
The White River National Forest is conducting this outreach to assess interest in this opportunity. The target series and grade for this position is GS-0470-11 Soil Scientist, and based on outreach responses we may consider alternative hiring authorities or a career ladder opportunity. Examples of alternative hiring authorities that are considered are: Pathways Recent Graduates, Pathways Indefinite Internship, Public Lands Corps, Veterans Recruitment Appointment, and Schedule A hiring authorities (other authorities may also be considered). If you believe that you are eligible for any of these alternative hiring authorities please note which authority on your outreach response form. More information regarding some of these alternative hiring authorities can be found at the following websites:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/#url=Schedule-A-Hiring-Authority
The duty station is Glenwood Springs, CO.
Position description: This position is located in the Supervisor’s Office of the White River National Forest. The White River National Forest consists of five Ranger Districts and the Soil Scientist serves all five Ranger Districts.
The position requires participation in the land management planning and NEPA process, providing professional soils input into the development of the Forest Plan as well as Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. The incumbent will provide support for a wide variety of land management programs including ski area management, timber, range, special uses, and recreation management while serving as a technical expert on projects that involve complex and conflicting program goals and requirements.
In addition the incumbent will monitor ongoing projects to evaluate the effects of management practices on the soil and conduct reconnaissance and detailed soil surveys in areas of moderate complexity. Use GPS to record the location of field observations. Use GIS to conduct spatial analysis, to make maps and to summarize the results of field data collection. Use spreadsheets to manage and summarize data. Provide input to establish budget requirements for rehabilitation and restoration projects. Provide technical expertise regarding laws and policies guiding land and water resources management. Evaluate land use proposals for consistency with laws, policies and management direction contained in the Forest Service Handbook and the Forest Plan. Write complex technical reports, maintain accurate and complete records, document management consistency with agency policies and participate in the production of published documents.
What we are looking for in a Candidate: To be successful in this position you must be willing to work as part of team of professionals, have the ability to communicate well orally and in writing, and be willing to take on challenges and provide innovative solutions to problems.
About the White River National Forest: The White River National Forest is 2.3 million acres in central Colorado. The Supervisor's Office is located in Glenwood Springs with District offices in Meeker, Rifle, Carbondale, Aspen, Eagle, Minturn, and Silverthorne. Currently, the White River employs approximately 150 permanent employees and 150 temporary employees. The White River National Forest is one of the crown jewels of the National Forest System. It hosts over 9 million visitors per year. With 12 ski resorts, the White River is the premier place for winter recreation and is a destination for people from around the globe. The forest has a full complement of resource challenges and opportunities including recreation, wilderness, travel management, oil and gas development, grazing, forest and watershed health, and fuels and fire mitigation. http://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver
THE COMMUNITY
Duty Station: The duty station will be the White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado
Glenwood Springs, CO consistently appears on the annual list of Best Small Towns of America. This picturesque mountain community is a great base camp for recreation enthusiasts. There is plenty to do including biking, kayaking, and world-class fly fishing. In winter, excellent cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing abound and down-hill skiing is only a few miles away.
Housing in the area is expensive but generally appreciates in value. Many people commute from down valley communities of New Castle, Silt, or Rifle. Average home prices in Glenwood Springs are approximately $385,000 for a 2 bedroom home and $490,000 (on up) for a 3 bedroom home. Homes in adjacent communities to the west average between $200,000 for 2 bedroom homes and $330,000 on up for 3 bedroom homes, depending on the community. Rentals range between $1500 and $3000 per month. Glenwood Springs is a three hour drive from Denver, 90 minutes from Grand Junction, 30 minutes from Vail's Eagle Airport, and 45 minutes from Aspen.
Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Silt, New Castle, Rifle, and Eagle are each full service communities. Excellent medical facilities are available. The surrounding area has a variety of new schools and provides excellent education opportunities as well as recreation, arts, and entertainment. The popularity and amenities of the area attract high quality teachers and provide access to theatre, music, arts, films, restaurants and other activities that may not be found in other small communities. Located at an elevation of 5700 ft., Glenwood Springs’ mild climate offers locals and guests longer weeks of spring, summer, and fall in which to play in the great outdoors. The area averages approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, a mean January temperature of 32 degrees, and a mean July temperature of 73 degrees.
For more information about this opportunity contact Renewable Resources and Planning Staff Officer Kevin Warner at kwarner@fs.fed.us, (970-948-3911).
Submission: If you are interested please fill-out the enclosed form along with a brief resume, and submit both to Kevin Warner at (kwarner@fs.fed.us) by February19, 2016.
Soil Scientist, GS-0470-11
Glenwood Springs, CO, Supervisor’s Office
USDA Forest Service, R2-Rocky Mountain Region
Please respond by February 19, 2016 by completing this form and including a brief resume
sent by e-mail to Kevin Warner, kwarner@fs.fed.us
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________ Work, Home or Mobile?
Employer: USDA FS Unit_____________________ Other _____________________________
Location: ____________________________________________________________________
Type of appointment (if current Federal employee):
Permanent ____ Temporary____ Student/Intern____ Contractor____ Other_____
Current Position Title: __________________________________________________________
Series/grade if Federal Employee: __________________________
How did you hear about this position? _____________________________________________
Agency Contact_____________________________ Other_____________________________
Are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
_____ Schedule A (Person with Disabilities)
_____ Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA)
_____ Veterans w/30% Compensable Disability
_____ Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Of 1998
_____ Former Peace Corps Volunteer
_____ Pathways Program (Internship)
_____ Pathways Program (Recent Graduates)
_____ Public Lands Corps (PLC)
_____ Other ________________________________________________