The Olympic National Forest is in dire need of a certified timber sale administrator and is exploring options to fill either a GS-0462-07/08/09/10 Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Administration) position, a GS-0460-07/09 Forester (Timber Sale Administration) position, a GS-0462-11 Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Administration) position, or a GS-0460-11 Forester (Timber Sale Administration) position. This will be a permanent, full-time position. Our desire is to locate the position at the Pacific Ranger District Office in Forks, Washington. A relocation incentive bonus may be authorized for Forks depending on the level of interest and qualifications of the applicant. Alternate duty stations we will consider include the Pacific Ranger District Office in Quinault, Washington or the Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene, Washington. Please indicate your preference in duty station on the outreach reach notice form.
The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity and to gather information to determine how the vacancy will be advertised, which series and grades will be used, and the relocation incentive for Forks.
Major Duties of the Position
GS-0462-07/08/09/10 or GS 0460-07/09
Reviews the contract and related pre-sale data such as preliminary logging plan, environment assessment report, appraisal, etc. Has a detailed understanding of ground based, cable, and helicopter logging systems. Determines that all prerequisites to contract work are taken care of such as, but not limited to, advance deposits, delegations of authority, road construction and timber cutting coordination, improvement locations, operating schedules, logging plan preparations, scaling arrangements, and environmental protection measures. Reviews plans, and schedules with purchasers to ensure common understanding of conditions and responsibilities. Throughout the life of the sale, is responsible for continuing field inspection and control of purchaser’s operations such as falling, skidding and yarding, loading, hauling, and all log accountability requirements. Determines whether utilization, slash disposal, and erosion control are adequate. Documents all findings for the sale record. Takes appropriate action to correct deficiencies, and assesses penalties when needed. Ensures that stream courses and other land features are protected. Advises purchaser’s field representative of adequacy or inadequacy of operations and achieves compliance with contract terms, including safety and employment requirements. Determines when log hauling may be allowed on system roads under construction, makes agreements, and monthly reports of progress, initiates requests for payments, bond changes, or cooperative work. Reviews timber sale statements of account and maintains controls to ensure that all payments and deposits are made. Ensures that all contractual obligations are met before making final inspection and recommending sale closure. Coordinates sale administration duties with other unit timber and related activities. Keeps supervisor informed of major problems. Advises other resource specialists of activities relating to their specialty; seeks advice on new or sensitive issues. As personnel are available and as workload requires, may train and provide work direction to one or two harvest inspectors who perform limited phases of sale administration.
A valid state driver’s license is required for this position.
GS-0462-11 or GS 0460-11
Performs Forest Service Representative (FSR) duties as designated by the Contracting Officer.
Reviews the contract and related pre-sale data such as: preliminary logging plan, environmental assessment report, appraisal, etc. Determines that all prerequisites to contract work are taken care of such as, but limited to, advance deposits, delegations of authority, road construction and timber cutting coordination, improvement locations, operating schedule, logging plan preparation, scaling arrangements, and environmental protection measures. Reviews plans and schedules with purchasers to assure common understanding of conditions and responsibilities. Throughout the life of the sale, is responsible for the continuing field inspections and control of purchaser’s operations such as falling, skidding and yarding, loading and hauling. Determines whether utilization, slash disposal, and erosion control are adequate. Documents all findings for the sale record. Takes appropriate action to correct deficiencies and assesses penalties when needed. Insures that stream courses and other land features are protected. Advises purchaser’s field representatives of adequacy or inadequacy of operations and achieves compliance with contract terms, including safety and employment requirements. Determines when log hauling may be allowed on system roads under construction, agreements, and monthly reports of progress. Initiates requests for payments, bond changes, or cooperative work. Reviews timber sale statement of account and maintains controls to insure that all payments and deposits are made. Coordinates sale administration duties with other unit’s timber and related activities. Keeps supervisor informed of major problems. Insures that all contractual obligations are met before making final inspection and recommending sale closure. May train one or more individuals, who perform limited phases of sale administration, preparing them for formal Sale Administration certification review. Performs required maintenance inspections on certified Sale Administrators working on the Forest.
A valid state driver’s license is required for this position.
The Forest
The Olympic National Forest is part of an emerald paradise. The Forest covers over 632,000 acres on the Olympic Peninsula in the northwest corner of Washington State (the Evergreen State). The Forest is divided into two Ranger Districts with the Pacific Ranger District office located in Forks, Washington and covering the land on the west side of the Peninsula. The Hood Canal District Ranger District is located on the east side of the Peninsula, along Hood Canal, with the District Office in Quilcene, Washington.
The Olympic National Forest is synonymous with the Olympic Peninsula. The Peninsula is a separate and unique geophysical providence surrounded on three sides by saltwater. U.S. Highway 101 is the main travel route paralleling the Pacific Coast on the west, Strait of Juan de Fuca on the north, and inland waters of Puget Sound on the east. This 6,500 square mile area is an association of complex, winding ridges, rugged and precipitous mountains, deep canyons, and tree covered slopes.
The Olympic Peninsula has an incredible variety of environments within short distances. Within less than 50 miles between Mt. Olympus and the Pacific Ocean, the vegetation changes from the lush, temperate rain forests of the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Valleys to an arctic environment of lichens and mosses above 7,000 feet. Heaviest precipitation occurs in the fall, reaching a peak in December and then decreasing in spring. Winter snowfall on the Peninsula ranges from 10 inches in the lower valleys to greater than 250 inches in the higher mountains. Summers are relatively dry, with warmer temperatures averaging near 70 degrees.
A multitude of recreational opportunities exist year-round on the Olympic National Forest. Auto touring, camping, picnicking, and backpacking are popular spring and summer activities. Fishing, hunting, hiking, berry picking, fire wood cutting, and Christmas tree cutting are enjoyed during the fall and winter months.
Check out the Olympic National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic for more information on the Forest.
Community Information
The city of Forks is a full service community with a hospital, more than 30 businesses, lodgings, and restaurants, a K-12 school system, a bowling alley, an airport with a 2,400 foot runway, a public library, and a satellite campus for Peninsula College. The town has a population of about 3,500 and serves as a regional center for up to 10,000 people in the surrounding areas.
Residents enjoy world-class fishing on the Bogachiel, Calawah, and Sol Duc Rivers and the Pacific Ocean; hunting for Roosevelt elk and Columbia black tailed deer; hiking one of the numerous trails on the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park; beachcombing along ocean beaches; and white water rafting and kayaking.
For more information on the area, check out the links from the City of Forks homepage at http://www.forkswa.com.
Quinault is small unincorporated community located inGrays Harbor County. The Forest Service maintains an office and visitor center there. Two other small similar communities (Neilton and Amanda Park) are located nearby. Housing for purchase or rent is very limited in the immediate area; government housing may be available. Services in the immediate local area include: a K-12 school, three lodges/motels, three restaurants/cafes, two gas stations, a library, a mercantile, a Catholic Church and a community church. Most other services are available in Aberdeen/Hoquiam located 40 miles to the south. Public transportation is available between Aberdeen/ Hoquiam and Quinault. Other primary employers in the area are Lake Quinault Lodge and Lake Quinault School. For more information, visit http://www.graysharbor.org and http://www.visitgraysharbor.com/
The community of Quilcene is a census-designated place along northern Hood Canal, with a population of about 500. The Forest Service maintains an office and visitor center there. Housing for purchase or rent is available in the immediate area; government housing may be available. Services in the immediate local area include: a K-12 school, three lodges/motels, five restaurants/cafes, one gas station, a library, and two churches. Most other services are available in Port Townsend located 25 miles to the north.
For more information, visit http://emeraldtowns.com and http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us.
The state of Washington does have a 6.5% sales tax and county/city sales tax of about 2%, but no income tax.
The vacancy announcement for this position will be posted at the US Government's official site for jobs and employment information: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov. Individuals responding to this outreach will be sent a copy of the Vacancy Announcement once it is listed at USA Jobs.
How to apply
Interested applicants should complete the attached form and return it to Jana Carlson, Timber Sale Contracting Officer, by June 23, 2016. Please also include a brief resume describing your skills and experience. For further information on the position, contact Jana Carlson at janacarlson@fs.fed.us or by phone at (360) 956-2263.