Forester (Timber Sale Prep)

Outreach Notice

Forester (Timber Sale Prep) GS-0460-07/09 Region 9 Hiawatha National Forest Rapid River Ranger District Rapid River, Michigan

The Hiawatha National Forest will be filling a permanent full time Forester (Timber Sale Prep) GS-0460-7/9 position on the Rapid River/ Manistique Ranger District, with the duty station located in Rapid River, MI. The purpose of this outreach notice is to notify potential applicants of the position availability and to provide a point of contact for interested individuals to get needed information about the position and community.

Contact Information Interested candidates are encouraged to reply to this outreach by June 26th, 2015. If you are interested in being considered, please complete the Outreach Reply Form attached at the end of this notice and return to: Matthew McGiffin at [email protected] or at 8181 US Hwy 2, Rapid River, MI 49878. If you need additional information, please contact Matt at 906-474-6442 Ext. 131.

About The Position

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 1 This position includes performing a variety of tasks in support of the District's timber program. Workload is expected to be about 50% field and 50% office work.

The position serves as the primary Sale preparation for all timber and stewardship contracts on the West Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest. The Hiawatha National Forest has a strong record for quality work, innovation, and accomplishment. The timber sale preparation team is well thought of both internally and externally.

This position serves as the key position in timber sale preparation. The position works closely with the resources internally and externally to assistant in management of all aspects of the timber sale program. This position will be involved with timber sale design, layout, best management practices, markets, operability, logging methods, final logging plans, timber sale contract packages, conducting appraisals and assisting in the interdisciplinary process with NEPA decisions.

The Unit consistently prepares and sells 6-10 timber sales annually for a volume of about 36,000-40,000 CCF (22-25 MMBF). The program manages a wide variety of Great Lakes forest types including northern hardwoods, red/jack/white pine, aspen, and swamp conifer. Timber sales are generally complex, and can include operating requirements to manage forested wetlands while complying with BMPs and protections for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. Timber is designated by cut tree marking, leave tree marking, and species/diameter. The West Unit has a full range of resource management programs, including recreation, wildlife, botany, fisheries, and fire, in addition to the timber program.

The West Unit has been working with stewardship contracting and is currently expanding their use. Types of service work performed include: mechanical site preparation with roller chopper and anchor chains, Wildlife Clearing Maintenance, Gap Cleaning in Northern hardwood, Slash Removal in Conifer, and retained receipts for a large culvert replacement project, White Pine Prune and release, and Non- Native Invasive Species Treatment, Road Decommissioning, and Riparian Planting activities.

Candidates need a strong and varied knowledge of forest management, natural resources and good communication/collaboration skills.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-0460 series. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Manual is available for review at any federal personnel office OR on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/GS-PROF.asp. Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower level.

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 2 Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07).

About The FOREST The Hiawatha National Forest lies in the central and eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Approximately 1 million acres fall within the Forest boundary. There are approximately 775 miles of rivers and streams and more than 400 lakes on the forest. More than seventy-seven miles of National Forest shoreline lie along Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. Nearly 46 percent of the Hiawatha is wetlands of various types. Varying landforms, combined with the influence of the Great Lakes, create many different weather zones. Summer temperatures are typically in the 70 degree range near the Great Lakes shorelines, while inland away from the lakes' moderating influence they reach 10 to 15 degrees higher. The Hiawatha National Forest’s uniqueness stems largely from its proximity to three Great Lakes. The Great Lakes affect its weather, recreation opportunities, scenery, historic sites, hydrology and ecosystem diversity. The Forest’s recreation niche, “Your Great Lakes National Forest” captures some of this uniqueness by focusing on the Forest’s “Great Lakeshores” (Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron), “Great Lighthouses” (Point Iroquois, North Light, East Channel Light, Christmas Range Light, Peninsula Point and Round Island Lighthouse); “Great Islands” (Grand Island, Round Island, and St. Vitals Island); and “Great Snow” (referring to the hundreds of inches of snow that fall each winter. Hiawatha National Forest is divided geographically into two units. Munising Ranger District and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District comprise the Forest’s West Unit. The West Unit includes shoreline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The Forest’s East Unit includes the St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie Ranger Districts, including a work station located in Raco. The East Unit includes shoreline on Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. The weather in this area, due to the close proximity to Lake Michigan, has consistently high humidity and experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average high temperatures in the mid 80’s and average lows in the mid 60’s. Winters are cold, snowy and windy with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and fall are mild with low humidity.

Community Information Brief Description of Rapid River and surrounding area, MI:

Rapid River is a small unincorporated town located at the northern end of Little Bay de Noc. The town has a few convenience stores, restaurants, bank, etc.

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 3 Gladstone (population 5,000) is located 5 miles north of Escanaba (population 13,000). Commuters and shoppers travel between the two communities. Gladstone offers schools, parks, trails, recreation, a summer concert series, a harbor, and other amenities. Escanaba has a population of around 13,140 (2000 census). Escanaba is the third-largest city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie and is the county seat of Delta County. There are many restaurants, shopping amenities, churches, etc. located in and around Escanaba. Escanaba is also home to Bay de Noc Community College. There is a modern airport that provides both corporate and general aviation services. Houses for sale fluctuate based on the local market. A number of houses in the Delta County area are available from $80,000 on up. Generally, there are few houses for rent and apartments in the commuting area range from $325 per month and up. Delta County Airport serves the city with daily flights to larger airports. Major transportation routes in Escanaba include US Highway 2, US Highway 41, and M-35. Delta Area Transit Authority operates a bus system throughout Delta County. Eight public school districts and two private schools operate in Delta County. For more information on K-12 schools, click here. Post-secondary educational institutions include Bay de Noc Community College, located in Escanaba, and Northern Michigan University, located about 65 miles away in Marquette, MI. Cultural opportunities in Escanaba include the William Bonifas Fine Art Center, the Waterfront Art Festival, Escanaba City Band, Players de Noc, and Bay de Noc Choral Society, and many smaller arts organizations, art galleries, and musical performing groups. Delta County: Delta County is located in the central Upper Peninsula and lies on the shore of Lake Michigan. The county prides itself in having more fresh water shoreline than any other county in the nation. The county includes of a mix of private and public lands including Escanaba State Forest and Hiawatha National Forest. If you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities, Delta County has much to offer. Residents enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits including sea kayaking, canoeing, camping, mountain biking, hiking, trail running, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing and more. Recreation oriented groups include the Bays de Noc Great Lakes The City of Escanaba Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational activities and leagues, and the Delta YMCA offers a variety of recreational activities and classes promoting family wellness. SURROUNDING AREA Marquette (population 19,700) is the Upper Peninsula’s largest city. Located on Lake Superior about 6o miles north of Gladstone, it is a handy location in which to find additional options including medical services, shopping, art, culture, entertainment, restaurants and more. Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University and Marquette General Hospital, numerous clinics, several malls and large chain stores, a food coop, theaters, and a YMCA. Websites: For more Information about Rapid River and the surrounding area, visit the following the websites:

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 4 City of Escanaba City of Gladstone Delta County Delta County Chamber of Commerce Bays de Noc Convention & Visitors Bureau

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 5 OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM

I am interested in this position on the Hiawatha National Forest, duty location to be the Munising Ranger District. Position/Series/Grade: Forester (Timber Sale Prep), GS-0460-7/9

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Date:

Address:

Phone: Email address: _____

Are you currently a Federal employee? Yes No

If YES, CURRENT REGION/FOREST/DISTRICT:

CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE:

CURRENT POSITION TITLE:

AGENCY EMPLOYED WITH: ______USFS _____BLM ______OTHER:

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: ______PERMANENT _____ TEMPORARY ______TERM ______VRA _____ PWD ______OTHER

IF NOT A CURRENT PERMANENT (CAREER OR CAREER CONDITIONAL) EMPLOYEE ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO BE HIRED UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL AUTHORITIES:

______PERSON WITH DISABILITIES ______VETERANS READJUSTMENT ______DISABLED VETERANS W/30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY ______VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998 ______FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER ______STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ______OTHER ______

Please provide a resume, including certifications in sale preparation and sale administration, and briefly describe why you will be a quality candidate for this position.

If you would like further information on this position please submit this form by June 26th, 2015 via email to [email protected] ,or FAX to 906-474-9122, or send to address below:

Hiawatha National Forest Attn: Matthew McGiffin 8181 US 2, Rapid River, MI 49878

Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest” 6