Interdisciplinary Social Scientist/Natural Resource Specialist/Landscape Architect

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Department of Agriculture

Job Summary

The purpose of the position is the planning and implementation of a recreation resource program including lands, recreation special uses, wilderness, developed sites, dispersed recreation, trails, scenery management, interpretive planning and scenic byways. Information on specific locations where jobs are being filled and the dates when applications are due for these locations may be found on the Forest Service website.

Major Duties

  • Provides professional advice and support in the planning, designing, development, implementation, and evaluation of recreation program/project activities. Participates in decisions as part of the unit's management team.
  • Prepares project scopes, budgets, and schedules in consultation with the program coordinator and budget specialist.
  • Works with the unit to develop grant initiatives and proposals for accomplishing conservation education and interpretive service initiatives.
  • Provides expertise and advice in the administration of special use programs and projects.
  • Reviews and synthesizes complex permit applications, and background data to prepare and issue draft/final/modified permits, fact sheets, and public notices.
  • Plans future recreation use and development and serves as the scenery resource specialist on the unit in conjunction with Forest interdisciplinary teams.
  • Works with engineering and other staff to develop contract packages for recreation construction projects, prepare quantity and cost estimates, and monitor construction.
  • Duties are listed at the full performance level.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. 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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Basic Requirement:

GS-0101:

Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. GS-0401:

Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.

OR

Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. GS-807:

Degree: landscape architecture or landscape design.

Note: Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture in an accredited college or university is qualifying for GS-7. OR

Combination of education and experience -- for each year short of graduation, the applicant must have had 1 year of experience under professional leadership and guidance of such character and diversity as to be a satisfactory substitute for the required education. This experience must have included original landscape design. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level; OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples of specialized experience include: Assisted with the implementation of recreation plan objectives and inspected recreation uses. Assisted with administration of special use permits. Assisted with the administration of a recreation program by performing fee administration duties and preparing environmental assessments for proposed land use. Assisted with the execution of annual work plans and ensured compliance with guidelines and direction. Monitored recreation resources program activities; processed special use applications; performed on-the-ground investigations of site suitability use inspections. Assured recreation sites and areas with one or two major uses are operated and maintained in accordance with operation and maintenance plans. Inspected recreation areas and areas of concentrated public use for compliance with management plans, public health, and safety. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level; OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled); 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 hours leading to a Ph.D.). Examples of specialized experience include: Implemented recreation plan objectives and inspected the full range of recreation uses, administrated special authorization for recreation events and concessionaire operations; assisted with the administration of a recreation program by performing fee administration duties and preparing environmental assessments for proposed land use; assisted with the development and execution of annual work plans and ensured compliance with guidelines and direction; participated in the preparation of project scopes, budgets, and schedules; Communicated information to the public regarding management practices, rules, and regulations. 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.

Pay Range

$51,440.00 - $80,912.00

More information...

End Date: 

Monday, April 27, 2020