The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest will soon be advertising for up to three GS-06 Timber Resource Assistants at the Eagle River/Florence; Washburn; and Great Divide Ranger Districts. Each position is permanent full-time. Potential duty locations include: Eagle River, WI; Wasburn, WI; and Glidden, WI. A maximum of one position would be filled at each location. The purpose of this outreach notice is to inform prospective applicants of this opportunity and to determine the potential applicant pool. Based on the response to the outreach, the advertisement may be open to government-wide applicants only or open to all applicants.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has a dynamic timber program with a Forest sale target of 80 MMBF and growing. The forest is expanding it’s use of new and exciting tools in Stewardship contracting and agreements as well as exploring the use of Good Neighbor Authority. This is an exciting opportunity to be an integral member of the largest timber program in Region 9.
This position is located on a Forest Service Ranger District. The incumbent provides technical support work in the financial aspects of timber sale appraisals and accounting, contract activities, and business management phases of sale administration.
Performs substantive technical financial work required to analyze the facts and arrive at original conclusions throughout the contract administration and timber sales accounting process. Performs work relating to the input, output, review, and analysis, posting, and adjustments of the accounts. This includes identifying the provisions of each contract, the procedures and calculations they require, monitoring of applications, and performing the financial transactions which result from those procedures.
Analyzes timber sale contracts and audits timber sale statements of account to assure documents comply with appraisal current direction, procedures, laws, and regulations. Assures corrections of errors through the timber sale accounting (TSA) system. Audits TSA outputs and prepares reports as required. Audits purchaser road credits to assure agreement with contract, that correct balances are carried forward, and correct information is entered into the TSA system.
When purchasers request transfer of purchaser credits and/or cash, analyzes contracts and pertinent records to verify that transfer is allowed. Prepares and submits proper documents to Contracting Officer for approval.
Establishes controls to assure that all timber collection of revenues and deposits such as brush disposal, sale area improvements, road maintenance, interest, etc., are billed, collected, and deposited to the proper accounts.
Independently coordinates the operation of Timber Sale Accounting System for the District. Analyzes data to assure management needs are met and information is accurate and reliable and initiates corrective actions when required.
Serves as bid opener. Opens and analyzes sealed bids for compliance with regulations and instructions and for the determination of the high bidder. Determines action to be taken to comply with laws, regulations, and directives when the following situations occur: 1) decision is made to reject all bids, 2) tie bids are received, 3) identical bids or evidence of collusion exist, 4) imperfect and invalid sealed bids exist, 5) there are failures to sign bids. Determines whether a showing of financial ability is necessary from the successful bidder. Assists purchaser in completion of the financial statement.
Reviews TSA financial statements for adequacy and recommends approval or disapproval to Contracting Officer. Establishes a system of checklists to assure continuing accuracy both prior to and after bid opening. Audits TSA statements for the District.
Obtains contract number, prepares letter of award, completes formal contract for signatures of successful bidder. Returns deposits to unsuccessful bidders and maintains required records. Prepares initial bill for collection. Advises purchaser on business management aspects of various clauses and special provisions, particularly those pertaining to purchaser credit, extension deposits, letters of credit, and payments not received, as they pertain to timber sales. Further advises on contracts to ensure legal requirements are met. Audits, prepares, and enters contract data into TSA program. Reviews printouts and resolves any data entry errors. Issues Timber Sale Statements of Account, Bills for Collection, and various types of bonding procedures. Upon receipt of signed timber sale contract and performance bond, obtains signature of contracting officer and prepares sale folder.
Interprets directions, establishes and maintains information files necessary for many varied and complicated applications pertaining to road credit accounts, Knutson-Vanderberg accounts, Salvage Sale Fund, brush disposal, erosion control, road maintenance, and timber credits.
Participates in post-sale discussions with purchasers and area bankers regarding different types of performance payment bonds and letters of credit and recommends those best suited to the individual needs. As needed, researches, compiles and distributes training information to area bankers, savings and loan associations, and timber purchasers on new bond procedures, forms required, and completion of these forms.
Responsible for all financial management of each sale contract, ensuring correct payments are made within set time frames and credited to correct accounts for each sale. Responsible for review and adequacy of Surety Performance Bonds, Letters of Credit, and Assignment of Certificate of Deposit Agreements and processes for approval with Timber Sale Contracts. Reviews and prepares letters and documents pertaining to various activities on each sale such as cutting, closing, and conditional acceptance of payment units, changes to contract clauses, and modification documents as needed throughout the length of the sale. Prepares and processes refund vouchers and submits for payment.
Reviews and performs final financial audit and closure of unit timber sales. Provides monitoring of the business management aspects of sale administration.
In an oversight role, monitors and performs technical review of timber sale extensions, modifications, and default packages submitted by preparer, ensuring legality and completeness.
Maintains sale folders for all sales within the unit. Serves as backup to other timber resource assistants.
The work schedule is expected to be MaxiFlex.
Travel around Forest is frequent; occasionally overnight travel can be necessary.
Transfer of station benefits for existing federal employees are allowed per FSH 6509.33.
The announcement will be posted on the USAJOBS website www.usajobs.gov. The announcement number will be circulated when available.
About the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is located in Wisconsin’s “Northwoods,” covering over a million and a half acres of forested lands in the north central section of the “Badger” state. The Forest operates out of nine District Offices and a Supervisor’s Office in Rhinelander, Wis.
Where is the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
The forest is comprised of more than 1.5 million acres in 11 northern Wisconsin counties and 65 townships. It is part of the treaty-ceded areas for 11 Indian tribes that retain hunting, fishing and gathering rights on national forest lands. Other lands within the Forest’s boundaries include more than 1,200 separate parcels owned by the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, the State of Wisconsin, industrial forest land and privately owned properties. Interspersed around National Forest lands are more than 2.5 million acres of publicly owned properties and state and county and forests. This mix of public and private lands offers many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
The Chequamegon portion of the Forest includes about 858,400 acres in Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. In the east, the Nicolet side covers about 661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties.
The two Forests, established in the early 1930s, were combined into the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in February 1998.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest stretches across northern Wisconsin and provides the scenic and economic foundation for the Northwoods communities. Glacier-carved hills and lowlands, extensive hardwood forests, and diverse wetlands create topographic and vegetative diversity across the Forest. With more than 2,000 lakes and 2,000 miles of rivers and streams, the Forest is a destination for water-based recreation. Wildlife is abundant on the Forest and visitors are able to hunt large and small game in an unconfined setting
The Forest’s fact sheet has some additional details.
Comfortable summers and outstanding fall colors invite visitors to enjoy the sanctuary and scenic beauty of the Forest. Winter brings periods of snow and opportunities to explore the depths of the Forest’s winter wonderland. Learn more about Rhinelander’s weather.
Community Descriptions:
Eagle River, WI
Eagle River is a small city of 1,500 located in northeastern Wisconsin. It’s the county seat of Vilas County – the heart of musky, walleye and bass fishing country in Northern Wisconsin. The area encompasses approximately 1,000 lakes, plus trout and smallmouth streams. This area is world renown as trophy musky water.
Eagle River is also a winter wonderland. There are many snowmobile trails linking community to community and Eagle River is proclaimed Snowmobile Capital of the World in January as it hosts the World’s Championship Snowmobile Derby. For 35 years, more than 300 racers and up to 35,000 fans have come from all corners of the world to take part in this event. There are also many miles of cross country ski trails as well as a modern ice arena for hockey and figure skating.
As a tourist destination in northern Wisconsin, Eagle River boasts many restaurants, resorts and shops.
Washburn, WI
Surrounded by forest, the city of Washburn nestles on the shore of Lake Superior’s historic Chequamegon Bay in northernmost Wisconsin. With unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities, a vibrant cultural life, and a progressive atmosphere, Washburn is great place to live, a rewarding place to do business, and a spectacular place to visit.
Washburn hosts a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts. A full menu of streams, inland lakes, and Lake Superior provides a banquet of choices to those that love fishing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Hundreds of miles of trails for lovers of the outdoors are also available. Washburn’s proximity to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore allows for a quick getaway to one of our nation’s most pristine treasures.
Washburn is nestled between Ashland to the south and Bayfield to the north. Ashland is the home of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, and Bayfield is the jumping off point for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is a collaboratively managed Forest Service facility within the Washburn Ranger District and features a regional History Center and Archives, gift shop, art gallery, theater, and a five-story observation tower offering a panoramic view of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands Region.
Washburn is served by the K-12 Washburn School District. Total student enrollment is approximately 550 students.
Learn more about Washburn and nearby communities at:
http://cityofwashburn.org http://www.visitashland.com/ http://bayfield.org/
Glidden, WI
The unincorporated town of Glidden, in southern Ashland County, calls itself the Black Bear Capital of the World and offers a reward for anyone bringing in a bigger bear than the 665-pound bruin that was shot near town in 1963. That bear is now stuffed and displayed in a glass-enclosed case in the downtown area of Glidden.
Glidden has many picturesque recreational areas, like Marion Park, a historical treasure with its wonderful old eight-sided pavilion constructed of virgin hemlock, pine and hundreds of windows. It’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Glidden’s hunting and fishing, along with its snowmobile and ATV trails, are among the best in northern Wisconsin. The Natural Scenic Byway, which runs from Glidden to Clam Lake through the Forest, offers splendid scenery. A good time to visit is in the fall, when the surrounding forest is its showiest. You might even catch a glimpse of Wisconsin’s elk herd.
The Glidden area is served by the K-12 Chequamegon School District with campuses in both Glidden and nearby Park Falls. The Glidden campus houses an elementary school and the district’s middle school. The Park Falls campus houses an elementary school and the district’s high school. Total student enrollment is approximately 750 students.
Learn more about Glidden and nearby communities at
http://www.gliddenwi.org/ http://butternutwi.com/ http://parkfalls.com/
Interested applicants may fill out the attached voluntary outreach response form and return to Dan Reynolds, at danielreynolds@fs.fed.us . You may call Dan at 715-479-2827 Ext.23 for additional information about the positions.