Outreach Notice
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Public Affairs Officer
GS-1035-12 PFT
Please Respond (Outreach Form) By May 31, 2014
Location: Wenatchee, Washington
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will soon be advertising our Public Affairs Officer, GS-1035-12. The response to this outreach will determine the recruitment area for the upcoming announcement. If you are interested in applying for this position, please respond on the enclosed Outreach Notice Form by May 31, 2014.
Headquartered in Wenatchee, Washington, the four-million-acre Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has seven ranger districts (Chelan, Cle Elum, Entiat, Methow Valley, Naches, Tonasket, and Wenatchee River). These varied and spectacular lands extend along the eastern flank of the Washington Cascade Mountains from the Canadian border to the Yakama Indian Reservation on the south.
A wide variety of ecosystems are present, ranging from lush alpine meadows and forest to dry Ponderosa pine to semi-arid shrub steppe. The rain shadow effect of the Cascade Range on precipitation coming in from the Pacific Ocean strongly influences this pattern. Near the crest as much as 100 inches of precipitation, most in the form of snow, may fall. The eastern foothills and valleys are much more arid and may expect less than ten inches of annual precipitation. Abundant sunshine, clear streams, spectacular scenery, seasonal snow and proximity too many of Washington’s urban areas attract heavy recreation use– consistently in the top ten visited forests in the nation. In addition, the Okanogan-Wenatchee has significant timber, fire, wildlife, fisheries, engineering and minerals programs.
The Position
The position is permanent, full time and will be located at the Supervisor’s Office in Wenatchee, Washington. The incumbent serves as the Forest Public Affairs Officer with responsibility for providing staff direction and consultation on public and/or internal information, and community relations activities. The Public Affairs Officer establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media representatives, frequently acts as spokesperson for the Forest Service, explains Forest Service programs and activities, writes and edits articles and speeches, analyzes and evaluates Forest programs to identify possible public issues of consequence to the forest, recommends action on potential and existing issue. Serves as a member of the Forest Leadership Team in determining Forest programs of work and policy.
About the Community
The Forest: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest covers approximately 4 million acres. The Okanogan is called the “Sunny Okanogan” and for good reason. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are famous for brilliant clear skies and plenty of snow. The 1,706,000-acre Okanogan portion of the forest has two distinct sides, east and west, referred to as the Methow and Okanogan valleys. Each area is a destination in itself and together they offer days and days of things to do and see. The Okanogan portion of the forest includes the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wildernesses and is home to the North Cascade Smokejumper Base.
The 2.2 million acre Wenatchee portion of the forest extends about 135 miles along the east side of the Cascade crest from Lake Chelan in the north to the Yakama Indian Reservation in the south. Vegetation varies from grasslands and sage brush to beautiful Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir with alpine fir in the higher elevations. Nearly 40% of the Wenatchee’s forest land in designated as wilderness area including: The Lake Chelan-Sawtooth, Glacier Peak, Henry M. Jackson, Alpine Lakes, William O. Douglas, Norse Peak and the Goat Rocks.
Recreation: Recreational opportunities abound in the area. If you are a skier, there are three major ski areas within 60 minutes of Wenatchee as well as several small local ski areas. There are various cross country ski trails and opportunities for heli-skiing. The forest’s trail and road systems allow for snowmobiling, horse back riding, mountain biking, trailbike riding and snowshoeing. Wildlife habitat provides a wide array of hunting opportunities from elk, deer and bear to pheasant, chukkar and grouse. Streams, ponds, rivers and lakes harbor several varieties of trout and furnish water sport enthusiasts a fanfare of ventures. Whether it’s scenic vistas, para-gliding, rock climbing, kyacking or camping activities you enjoy, the Okanogan-Wenatchee provides abundant opportunities.
The Community: The Wenatchee Valley is nestled on the shores of the mighty Columbia River. It is located in Central Washington just 100 miles southeast of Seattle and 165 miles west of Spokane. The Greater Wenatchee Area has approximately 48,000 residents who enjoy living in a region with four distinct seasons. Housing costs in Wenatchee average $221,000, while the average rental cost is $750.00/mo (2 bedroom/2bath). The schools, services, museums, health and athletic clubs, hospitals and airports are only part of what makes Wenatchee one of the most desirable places to live, work and play.
Please visit the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce: http://wenatchee.org/
Education: The community’s higher education needs are met by Wenatchee Valley College, a comprehensive community college featuring two-year degree programs and transfer programs in conjunction with state four-year institutions including Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University and Washington State University. The Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts serve 9,000 students in 11 elementary schools, two special education schools, four middle and junior high schools, an alternative high school, and two senior high schools, one AAA and one AAAA. In addition to public education, three private religious schools, a Head Start program, and numerous pre-schools and kindergartens serve the area. All the school districts in Wenatchee are proud to offer students ample opportunity for academic and athletic excellence.
Health Care: Central Washington Hospital (located in Wenatchee) is the major health care facility in the region. This 176-bed hospital has a staff of 700, including over 200 nurses. All medical services are provided except open heart surgery and transplants. The Wenatchee Valley Medical Center is currently staffed by 108 certified physicians and 448 support personnel. The Center provides extensive diagnostic and research services and features 28 specialty and sub-specialty departments such as the Wenatchee Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic, the Eye and Ear Clinic of Wenatchee and Central Washington Cancer Center, which works in conjunction with the Central Washington Hospital. Over 60 dentists, hygienists, orthodontists, and dental laboratories serve the Wenatchee area. Wenatchee also has a life flight helicopter stationed at Central Washington Hospital and Executive Flight possesses three jet air ambulances stationed at Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee.
General Info:
The purpose of this outreach is to determine the level of interest in the position. For more information about the position contact: Forest Supervisor Mike Balboni mbalboni@fs.fed.us or Deputy Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken jkuiken@fs.fed.us at 509-664-9302
If you are interested in this position, please complete the attached outreach form and submit it to Elka Missal, Executive Assistant, at emissal@fs.fed.us by May 31, 2014
OUTREACH NOTICE FORM
OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST
Public Affairs Officer
GS-1035-12
NAME:
IBM or INTERNET ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
AGENCY EMPLOYED WITH: USFS BLM OTHER
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: PERMANENT TEMPORARY TERM OTHER
CURRENT REGION/FOREST/DISTRICT:
CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE:
CURRENT POSITION TITLE:
IF NOT A CURRENT PERMANENT (CAREER OR CAREER-CONDITIONAL) EMPLOYEE, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO BE REHIRED UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL AUTHORITIES?
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
VETERANS READJUSTMENT
DISABLED VETERANS WITH 30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998
FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
OTHER:
Please provide a short description of your work experience:
Please send this completed form to emissal@fs.fed.us or fax to 509-664-9286 attention Elka Missal, Executive Assistant, by May 31, 2014.