Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

OUTREACH NOTICE Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

Title, GS-Series-Grade: Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-0454- 5/7/9 District/Unit: Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland Date of Notice: September 3, 2015

The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland will soon be advertising an entry level professional Rangeland Management Specialist position (Rangeland Management Specialist GS-0454- 5/7/9). This is a permanent full-time position with a duty station in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity and to determine interest in the position. Interested applicants, or those desiring further information, should fill out the attached outreach form and email to Erik Taylor at [email protected] by September 21, 2015, or call him at 970-870-2154 to obtain more information. ABOUT THE POSITION: The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District is seeking a dynamic, innovative self-starter for an entry level range position. This position would work for the District Range Staff on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District. The District has a very active range and invasives program. The incumbent will oversee the invasives program including acquiring and maintaining the proper certification for the treatment of invasive plants and noxious weeds. The incumbent will also participate in grazing permit administration and vegetation monitoring. The District currently has about 60 active allotments and 30 permittees. Experience with horses and ATVs is preferable. Duties also include participation on Interdisciplinary Teams to conduct environmental analysis on the effects of livestock grazing on upland and riparian vegetation, soils, wildlife habitat and cultural resources. LOCATION: The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (http://www.fs.usda.gov/mbr) cover nearly 2.9 million acres from north central Colorado to central and northeastern Wyoming. From mountain ranges to grasslands and crystal clear streams, the national forests and national grassland provide abundant and unique opportunities for visitors. The Hahns Peak/Bears Ears District is approximately 500,000 acres and ranges from alpine ecosystems along the continental divide to extensive stands of aspen and conifer interspersed with open parks. The east side of the district includes a portion of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area Duty Station: Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a full service year-round resort community located in northwestern Colorado at an elevation of 6,700 feet. Community: Steamboat Springs is located 122 miles from Laramie, WY, where the headquarters office for the Forest is located. Denver is 160 miles southeast of town, and Fort Collins is 160 miles to the northeast. Year-round air service is provided at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden. The year-round population for Steamboat is about 12,000, which can swell up to 30,000 during the ski season. It is the county seat and largest community in Routt County. Other surrounding incorporated communities include Hayden (22 miles west, population 2,000), Oak Creek (23 miles south, population 1000), and Yampa (30 miles south, population 500). Climate: The average high temperature in July is 80 degrees F., with the average low for the month at 41 degrees. In January, the average high is 30 degrees and the average low is 0 degrees. The average snowfall in town is 170 inches per year, while the Steamboat ski area averages 324 inches per year. Cost of Living: The average 3 bedroom single-family home on a standard lot within city limits starts at $500,000; condominiums are less expensive. The approximate average monthly rent for a one bedroom condominium or apartment is $1000, and for two bedrooms is $1500. The rent for a single-family home in Steamboat with 3 to 4 bedrooms starts at $1800 per month. Please check with local real estate agents for current market values. Several forest employees commute from surrounding communities where the cost of living is lower and car-pooling is an option. Education: There are two public elementary schools K-5, one middle school 6-8, and one high school 9-12. In addition, there are two private K-12 schools. The Colorado Mountain College Alpine Campus offers two-year Associate of Arts degrees in a variety of subjects. Day Care: There are several pre-schools and licensed family childcare homes in the Steamboat Springs area. A list of childcare providers is available from the Child Care Network referral service at (970) 879-7330. Medical Facilities: Yampa Valley Medical Center is a non-profit, non-tax-supported, independent community hospital. YVMC is a 39-bed acute-care hospital providing sophisticated medical services to more than 51,000 outpatients annually. Churches: There are 15 to 20 churches in town in various denominations. Recreation: Recreation is unlimited in and around Steamboat Springs throughout the year. Winter activities include alpine and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, ice hockey and skating. Summer and fall activities include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, kayaking, golfing, mountain biking and many other activities. For More Information: Contact the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association, PO Box 774408, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, (970) 879-0882, or on-line at http://www.steamboat-chamber.com for more detailed information or a relocation package.

Outreach Response Form

Rangeland Management Specialist GS 0454 – 5/7/9 Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District USDA Forest Service Please respond by September 21, 2015 to: [email protected] or 970-870-2154

Name: ______Email Address: ______Phone Number: ______Work, Home or Mobile?

Employer: FS Unit______Other ______Location: ______Tour: Permanent ____ Temporary____ Student/Intern____ Contractor____ Other_____ Current Position Title: ______Series/grade if Federal Employee: ______

How did you hear about this position? ______Agency Contact______Other______

If not a current permanent employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities? _____ Schedule A (Person with Disabilities) _____ Veterans Readjustment _____ Veterans w/30% Compensable Disability _____ Veterans Employment Opportunities Act Of 1998 _____ Former Peace Corps Volunteer _____ Pathways Program (Students and Recent Graduates) _____ Other ______

Submission of this form is voluntary. Thanks for your interest! 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.