Zone Supervisory Forester (Timber Management Assistant)

GS-0460-11

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will soon advertise a permanent full-time GS-0460-11 Supervisory Forester (Timber Management Assistant) for the north half of the Forest.  The position will cover TMA duties for both the Cle Elum and Naches Ranger Districts with an official duty location of either Cle Elum or Naches, Washington. The purpose of this outreach is to inform prospective applicants of this potential upcoming opportunity and to assess the level of interest in the positions.

THE POSITION:

This position is located in a Forest Service unit where the incumbent serves as a zoned Timber Management Assistant with primary responsibility for the development, planning, and application of the timber management program. The incumbent will also be responsible for supervising timber and pre-sale staff.  Major duties include:

Participates in the development of short and long term action plans associated with an integrated vegetation management program and associated budgets.

Develops technical guides and standards for timber marking and sale preparation, contract selection and preparation, and harvesting techniques to meet integrated program objectives in collaboration with first level units and staff areas.

Works with resource specialists to resolve vegetative management issues such as methodology for meeting silviculture prescriptions, designating timber, preparing stewardship and timber sale contracts, and identifying restoration work to be included in stewardship contracts.

Provides advice in all aspects of timber management functions and practices associated with timber management with a focus on integration between program areas.  Participates in the integration of programs and budgets to foster efficient and effective restoration of forested ecosystems. Recognizes need for, organizes and directs training in new or improved management practices and techniques.

May take the lead on timber and stewardship programs for the national forest(s) to which the employee is assigned.

Performs supervisory duties 25% or less of the time. Plans the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit’s work.  Establishes and communicates guidelines and performance requirements to employees; conducts formal performance reviews; and identifies and provides for the developmental and training needs of employees.  Hears and resolves employee complaints, effects minor disciplinary measures, and recommends action in more serious cases.  Performs administrative and human resources management functions for the unit; provides advice, counsel or instruction on both administrative and work matters; and assures full compliance with safety regulations.

Promotes equal opportunity and employs nondiscriminatory practices for merit promotion, recruitment and hiring of applicants; encouragement, recognition and fair treatment of all employees; and career development and full utilization of employees’ skills.   Adheres to nondiscriminatory employment practices regarding race, color, national origin, age, disability; and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal; or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

We are seeking an individual who has:

• Excellent vegetation management skills.
• Quality leadership and team building skills.
• Quality organizational skills.
• A safe and professional working attitude and good communication skills.
• Someone who respects, appreciates, and accepts the contributions and perspectives of all employees.

The Forest:  The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the largest forests in Region 6 with seven Ranger Districts (six with the October 1 transfer of Tonasket to the Colville NF), covering more than 4 million acres in North-central Washington State. The Forest has a diverse landscape ranging from high, glaciated alpine peaks along the Cascade Crest and numerous mountain ranges extending eastward from the crest, through deep, lush valleys of old growth forest, to the dry and rugged shrub-steppe country at its eastern edge. It stretches north to south from the Canadian border to the Goat Rocks Wilderness – a distance of about 180 miles. The forest lies east of the Cascade Crest, which defines its western boundary. The eastern edge of the forest extends into the Okanogan highlands, then south along the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers, and then to the Yakima River valley. Elevations range from below 1,000 ft. to over 9,000 ft. Annual precipitation varies widely – from more than 70-inches along the crest to less than 10 inches at its eastern edge, which greatly affects forest and vegetation types across the National Forest.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is involved in numerous interagency and collaborative efforts at state, county and federal levels.  The Forest is a leader in implementing a Forest Restoration Strategy that recognizes the role and needs of fire-adapted communities and wildlife. There is a demanding and complex fire workload and there is a strong and long-standing relationship with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, especially in wildland fire suppression. This Forest is also noted for a wide range of year-round recreation opportunities, 1.5 million acres of wilderness, and the associated pressures and demands associated with being a 2-3 hour drive from the Seattle/Puget Sound urban area.

The Forest has ranger district offices located in the communities of Chelan, Cle Elum, Entiat, Winthrop, Naches, Tonasket and Leavenworth, Washington. The Forest Leadership Team is comprised of the District Rangers, Administrative, Public Services, Engineering/Minerals/Fleet, Natural Resources/Planning, and Fire/Aviation  Staff Officers; Public Affairs Officer, Safety/Health Mgmt. Officer, Lands Zone Team Lead, LE&I Patrol Captain, Executive Assistant, the Deputy Forest Supervisor, and Forest Supervisor.

ABOUT THE Districts:

Cle Elum Ranger District

A 375,000 acre outdoor playground is closer than you think. With 200 days of sunshine, only 20 inches of rain and 80 inches of snow, recreation opportunities are endless. Whether you enjoy the serenity of an alpine lake sunset, wildflowers in spring, vibrant fall colors, or hitting the snowy trails of winter, the Cle Elum Ranger District is the place you can find it all, just an hour’s drive from the Puget Sound Metro area.

The District stretches from its western boundary at the crest of the Cascades east to where the forest gives way to the prairies and sage steppe of Central Washington near Ellensburg. To the north are the Wenatchee Mountains, to the south, Manastash Ridge. From craggy peaks, to rolling hills, dense forests of Douglas fir and western hemlock in the west, open pine forests in the east, meadows and secluded valleys, the district has many diverse personalities.

The Cle Elum Ranger District office is located in the community of Cle Elum, which is 75 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90 near the center of Washington State. Other small communities nearby include Roslyn, Ronald, South Cle Elum, Easton, and Kittitas. The larger town of Ellensburg is located 25 miles east on Interstate 90.

The population of Kittitas County is approximately 33,362 residents. Cle Elum has 1,770 residents, Roslyn 936, South Cle Elum 510, and unincorporated areas 13,595 (which includes Ronald, Thorp, Easton, Snoqualmie Pass, Vantage and other rural areas). The population of Ellensburg (including Central Washington University students) is 15,414.

Cle Elum Ranger District is located on the “dry” side of the Cascades; close enough to the crest to benefit from the rain shadow effect of the mountains. Forest types vary from the old growth forests near the Cascade Crest to the dry shrub-steppe ecosystems to the east.

There are definitely four seasons in Cle Elum. Mild and windy springs warm up to summer days where the warmest temperatures can reach into the low 100s. Winter days can bring average temperatures into the low 20s in January and February. Annual rainfall averages between 22” closer to the Cascade crest to 10” as you near the Columbia River and shrub-steppe to the east, with an average snowfall of about eight feet near the mountains.

Cle Elum has one elementary, middle and high school. There are smaller schools in other nearby communities. Ellensburg has several elementary, one middle school and one high school. Central Washington University is also located in Ellensburg.

There is one moderate sized State licensed day care center located in the town of Roslyn, and several smaller home operated licensed day care providers in the Cle Elum area. Ellensburg has several day care centers and licensed home day care providers.

There is the Cle Elum Family Medicine Center and 24-Hour Emergency Service Center located in Cle Elum. There are also several local dentists and chiropractic service providers. Ellensburg is home to the Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, Valley Clinic, and several smaller medical offices. Ellensburg also has a wider variety of dental, chiropractic, massage, and optometric care providers.

Community web site for links to more information at

www.kittitascountychamber.com

www.cleelumroslyn.org.

Naches Ranger District

The Naches Ranger District encompasses over 500,000 acres and is the southernmost District of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest.   The Ranger District is within easy driving distance from Seattle and the Puget Sound basin and hosts a wide range of recreational opportunities. The District manages over 200,000 acres of Wilderness, an extensive motorized trail network, a vast recreation residence program, opportunities for winter sports (alpine and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling), boating, fishing, hunting and river rafting. There are a large number of campgrounds, dispersed camp areas and day use sites.

The District is bounded to the west by the Gifford Pinchot and Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forests, and Mount Rainier National Park. To the north is the Cle Elum Ranger District and to the south is the Yakama Nation. There is also a mixture of State and private lands, primarily on the eastern fringes of the District.   The nearest full service community is Yakima (population 80,000), located about 12 miles east of Naches.

The duty station is the Naches Ranger District Office in the town of Naches,

Washington.   Naches is a small agricultural town, with a population of just over 700 people, nestled in a scenic valley at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The town is centrally located in the state, with only a two-three hour drive to Seattle, Spokane and Portland.

The nearby city of Yakima offers a community college, higher education distance learning opportunities and quick access to the Yakima Air Terminal. Medical facilities include Memorial Hospital and the Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. (Naches has a medical clinic). Yakima and Naches combined offer 5 school districts, numerous churches, and ample banking opportunities.

Local recreational opportunities are limitless, with easy access to outdoor recreation on the National Forest, nearby Mount Rainier National Park, and Washington State Fish and Wildlife land. Yakima Valley is well known for its vineyards and wine tours. There are numerous cultural venues including the Sun Dome, Central Washington State Fairgrounds, Capitol Theatre, Yakima Area Arboretum and the Yakima Valley Museum. The Yakima Greenway Foundation maintains ten miles of pathways, three parks, two fishing lakes and four river access landings. The Greenway trail system will soon be connected to the community of Naches with a rail-to-trail conversion.

For more information about the local area you can visit

www.townofnaches.com

http://www.nachesvalleycharnber.com

https://www.yakimawa.gov

If you would like to be considered for this position, please email the outreach response and a resume to Michelle Capp michelle.capp@usda.gov by June 5, 2020.  If you have questions pertaining to the position, the Forest or local communities, contact Michelle Capp either by email above or cell (970) 260-7404

OUTREACH NOTICE FORM

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Zone TMA GS-0460-11

 Permanent

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”