Forestry Technician

Summary

The position serves as the Timber Measurement Specialist responsible for managing and coordinating a complex regional field measurement program that assures accurate volume determination and product accountability. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Michael Keller at [email protected]. USDA Employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section.

Duties

• •Duties listed are at the full performance level.
• •Develops and implements field procedures to obtain accurate volume and value data for diverse forest management and restoration projects, including ecosystem management, forest health, and resource protection activities.
• •Plans, coordinates, and implements studies to validate volume estimator models to insure accurate estimates are arrived at for cruises and inventory.
• •Coordinates regional and interregional training, certification, and quality control activities for timber measurement, appraisal, product accountability, and related timber program functions.
• •Provides technical guidance and expertise on timber measurement, contract utilization standards, product accountability, quality assurance, and timber theft investigations.
• •Develops regional and interregional Timber Measurements training materials and conducts training and implements field measurement procedures.
• •Recognizes critical trends in use of statistical and quantitative measures associated with standard forest and log sampling techniques.
• •Serves as the technical expert for effective implementation of National cruising and scaling policy, handbooks and computer software.
• •Develops Regional and Interregional Timber Measurements training materials and conducts training.
• •Develops and finalizes field procedures to gather accurate volume and value data.

Qualifications

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-10 level: Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting one or more of the following: Coordinating or conducting timber cruising, scaling, log grading, or other timber measurement activities to ensure accurate volume determination and product accountability. Developing or implementing field procedures, instructions, or training materials for timber measurement activities such as cruising, scaling, tree marking, or log grading. Providing technical guidance to field personnel, supervisors, or law enforcement officials on timber measurement requirements, timber utilization standards, product accountability, or identifying irregularities related to timber theft or trespass. Participating in studies to test or validate volume estimator models, cruise methods, or statistical sampling approaches for inventory or timber sale preparation. Reviewing timber measurement data or participating in quality-control activities to verify compliance with established measurement methods, contract requirements, or accountability procedures. OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.,(coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture). OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Developing and finalizing field measurement procedures for a wide range of silvicultural prescriptions, stand conditions, and forest health situations (such as insect or disease impacts, ecosystem management, riparian conditions, or restoration projects). Serving as a technical expert in the implementation of national cruising and scaling policies, handbooks, and timber measurement software systems, including advising field personnel on correct application of measurement methods. Providing technical direction and consultation to forest and district staff, supervisors, and law-enforcement personnel on timber measurement, timber sale utilization standards, product accountability requirements, and identifying or addressing irregularities, theft, or trespass. Planning, coordinating, or implementing studies to validate timber volume estimator models or sampling methods to ensure accuracy in cruise and inventory data. Recognizing and evaluating statistical, quantitative, or sampling trends associated with timber measurement techniques and applying this knowledge to improve accuracy, consistency, or accountability across programs. OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.,(coursework must be directly related to the position being filled such as forestry, range management, agriculture). OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester/54 quarter hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.