Wildlife Biologist, GS-0486-09/11 OUTREACH Mio Ranger District

The Huron-Manistee National Forests will be filling one permanent, full-time Wildlife Biologist position on the Mio Ranger District, with the duty station in Mio, MI. The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform the pool of potential applicants about this employment opportunity and determine interest in the position. Please indicate your interest through the outreach database, or with your submission of resume and completed outreach form.

The position is responsible for providing expertise in the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife habitat within the framework of multiple-use management. This position offers a challenging opportunity for an individual to participate in the planning and management and restoration of wildlife habitat, including the management of the Kirtland’s Warbler.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Provides technical advice and leadership for a wildlife management program. This includes gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs; assessing habitat quality and quantity, interpreting biological requirements for all wildlife species and their habitat; taking inventory and monitoring habitat and populations; determining the need for and recommending wildlife habitat restoration, enhancement, or improvement projects; and studying and recommending solutions to special coordination problems involving wildlife habitat protection.

Works cooperatively with State wildlife resource agencies. Coordinates wildlife management with timber, minerals, recreation, and other resource programs. Prepares wildlife management input for the unit land management planning team. Prepares environmental analysis reports. Develops biological evaluations for review by journey-level biologists.

Plans and coordinates wildlife surveys for Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species. ArcMap skills are needed for editing, producing maps, and data entry into corporate databases.

Forest Service Eastern Region

Participates in wildlife monitoring program activities by making observations, gathering data, and reporting findings. Gathers information to be used in environmental assessments and environmental impact statements affecting wildlife resources.

Develops plans for information and education activities in wildlife conservation. Responsible for assigned areas of public relations activities, such as speaking at meetings and participating in field trips.

Serves as project leader on wildlife habitat improvement projects and participates on interdisciplinary teams in all aspects of natural resource management, which may include program evaluation.

ABOUT THE FOREST:

The Huron Manistee National Forests are rich in history. Glaciers shaped the landscape and formed many beautiful lakes and streams. The land that is now Michigan was once an unbroken forest, inhabited by numerous Native American tribes. In the late 1800s, logging was in its heyday, and the result was cut over and unproductive lands. The Huron National Forest was established in 1909, and the Manistee National Forest was established in 1938. The two Forests have operated as one administrative unit since 1945.

The Huron-Manistee National Forests cover nearly one million acres of land in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Sixty-one million people live within a 500-mile drive to the forest boundaries. These are the first national forest system lands people encounter when traveling north from major population centers such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Cleveland. Many people vacation on or have second homes near national forest lands, giving them an opportunity to get away from their everyday world and to enjoy all the national forests have to offer.

ABOUT MIO, MI: Community Description:

Unit: Huron-Manistee National Forests, Mio Ranger District 107 McKinley Rd Mio,MI 48647

Town: Mio, Michigan. Mio is the county seat of Oscoda County.

Population: Approximately 2,000 (approximately 8,500 in county).

General Location: Mio is 90 miles north of Saginaw, Michigan via I-75 and State Highway M-33. Located midway on the Au Sable River, the cities of Grayling and West Branch are 35 minutes away.

Forest Service Eastern Region

Economic Conditions: Mio is an unincorporated town with limited shopping. The scenic rural setting has attracted many retirees to the area, per- capita income and cost of living ranks among the lowest in Michigan. Several auto parts suppliers have small manufacturing facilities in the county and the remaining economy is based on logging, farming, and recreational services. The town has a small selection of mostly locally owned restaurants and businesses.

Housing: Homes in Mio start at about $70,000. The home sales in and around the Mio area is up, but there is still a heathy housing market.

Schools: Mio is served by a public school through grade 12 and Kirtland Community College is 25 miles away.

Hospitals: Full service hospitals are located in West Branch, Grayling, and Alpena. Doctors, dentists, and optometrists maintain offices in Mio.

Churches: Most churches are represented in the area.

Recreation: Recreational activities in the area include hiking, swimming, camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, hunting, motorcycle and ATV riding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. A nine- hole golf course is conveniently located five miles north of town and a 72-hole resort within 20 miles.

Shopping Facilities: While shopping is limited, necessities can be obtained locally. More variety and selection is available in Grayling, West Branch, each a 30- mile drive. Alpena and Gaylord are 60 miles away. Larger malls are in Saginaw and Traverse City, about 90 miles distant.

Forest Service Eastern Region

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greyling Brandt, Mio District Ranger Phone (989) 826-3252 e-mail: [email protected]

Non-Discrimination Policy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/ or employment activities.)

To File an Employment Complaint

If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (click the hyperlink for list of EEO Counselors) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html.

To File a Program Complaint

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Persons with Disabilities

Forest Service Eastern Region

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).

Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

OUTREACH INTEREST FORM If interested in this position please respond through the Outreach Database, or return this completed form along with a resume and cover letter to: Greyling Brandt, Mio District Ranger, Office phone 989-826-3252, fax 989-826-6073, [email protected] Job Title, Wildlife Biologist GS-0486-09/11 Mio Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forests (R9) Duty Station: Mio, MI Respond by: April 9th, 2021

Applicant Information Name: E-Mail Address: Current Title, Series, Grade Current Organization/Location:

Current Appointment: Permanent Temporary Term Not Current Employee

If you are NOT a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following authorities:

Reinstatement Person With Disabilities Disabled Veteran with 30% Compensable Disability Former Peace Corps Volunteer Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 Demonstration Project (external Other (Recent Graduate) recruitment from the general public)

Forest Service Eastern Region

Forest Service Eastern Region