USDA Forest Service | Region 2 National Forests and Grasslands http://www.fs.usda.gov/nebraska Outreach Notice Rangeland Management Specialist GS-0454-5/7/9 Full Time (26 pay periods guaranteed per year) The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands is outreaching to fill one permanent Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-0454-5/7/9 position located on the Bessey Ranger District, Nebraska National Forest. Interested candidates should complete the reply form at the end of this outreach notice by March 1, 2021. A formal vacancy will be advertised on USA Jobs (www.usajobs.gov) from March 9-15, 2021 and applicants will need to apply online. These positions will be open to Recent Graduate and Merit candidates. Those who reply to this outreach notice will be notified when the announcement opens. For questions about the position and the area, please contact:

Julie Bain, District Ranger [email protected] (308) 533-8115 (office)

The Opportunity The person in this position manages the district's range program, consisting of 48 allotments, 33 direct permits, 71,000+ AUMs, and the best ranchers in the agency. The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest and Bessey Ranger District are in the unique and picturesque of Nebraska where the sand bluestem can grow taller than an adult. These units are predominately grassland, but also contain the largest hand-planted forest in the western hemisphere. The two units are home to two endangered species along with a variety of native plant and animal species. The main recreational uses include camping, ATV riding, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing. The candidate will initially be stationed in Halsey, Nebraska with the option of relocating to Valentine after successful performance. Government housing (a one-bedroom house) is offered with this position.

Duties

• Collaborates with all program areas to accomplish forest and grassland objectives. • Conducts vegetation, wildlife, and rare plant monitoring. • Conducts habitat improvement projects such as noxious weed spraying, fencing, wildlife banding and sampling, nest box building, and various other resource projects. • Intensively works with grazing permittees on grassland management. • Provides technical and administrative supervision to two range technicians.

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Caring for the Land and Serving People About the Bessey Ranger District • Composes about 25 percent of all public land in Nebraska. • Has two units - half of the Nebraska National Forest (90,000 acres near Halsey) and the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest (112,000 acres near Nenzel). • These units are intact, not interspersed with privately held lands. This provides us with flexibility in achieving our management goals. • Home to the largest hand-planted forest in the western hemisphere. The existence of this experimental forest poses interesting questions for land management. • Contains the largest network of publicly accessible ATV and UTV trails (33 miles) in Nebraska. • According to a forthcoming research paper from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, the Sandhills are the second-most intact grasslands in the world after the Serengeti in Tanzania. • We have active partnerships with Ducks Unlimited, the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, The Nature Conservancy, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. • Is a leader in the region’s prescribed burning and fuels management programs.

About the Surrounding Area

Nenzel, Nebraska

Nenzel has a population of approximately 20, with one church and a community hall. The nearby community of Cody has a grocery store, bank, mechanic, and gas station. The nearest full-service community is Valentine Nebraska (30 miles away from Nenzel), with a population of over 2,800. The primary industry in the area is ranching.

In Valentine, rental apartments range from $715-900 per month. Few rentals are available in Nenzel, Cody (8 mi), or Kilgore (8 mi). The average cost of a home is approximately $134,000.

Halsey, Nebraska

Halsey has a population of about 70 and serves the rural ranching community. It has a post office, a bar/restaurant, a new convenience store/hairdresser/ATV repair shop, and one motel. Homes for sale and rentals can be difficult to find, however. Thedford, 16 miles to the west, has a grocery store, a hardware and lumber store, two gas stations, a bank, a restaurant, and two motels. Broken Bow (55 miles southeast, population 3,400) and North Platte (80 miles southwest, population 22,000) are the nearest large commercial centers and medical facilities. Churches of various denominations are in the area. Government housing may be available in Halsey.

The weather can be challenging. The average temperature in January is 10o F and in July, it is 89o F and often feels muggy, though breezy and windy days are also frequent. The average annual precipitation is 21 inches.

The Sandhills are a popular destination for hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. Tubing, kayaking, and canoeing are popular on the Niobrara, Middle Loup, and Dismal Rivers in the summertime. The public lands in the Sandhills provide an excellent place to hunt a variety of upland birds and big game animals, as well as fishing, hiking, and boating.

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Caring for the Land and Serving People Yes, I’m interested in the Rangeland Technician position(s) in Nebraska! Contact Information Name: E-mail address: Contact Number:

Current Federal Employees: Agency/Forest: Series: Grade: Position Title: Type Appointment: Desired Duty Location:

Non-Federal Employees Current Occupation: Agency/Company:

Are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities? Person with Disability Veterans Readjustment/Recruitment Disabled Veterans w/30% Compensatory Disability Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 Former Peace Corp Volunteer Land Management Workforce Act Pathways / Recent Graduate Other ______

Send this form and your resume to Julie Bain at [email protected]. She can be reached at (308) 533-8115 (office). Thank you for your interest in our vacancy. USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer.

Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Caring for the Land and Serving People