OUTREACH NOTICE
ARCHEOLOGIST GS-0193-11
USDA FOREST SERVICE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (R2)
BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST
BEARLODGE RANGER DISTRICT
*Please Reply By November 3, 2015*
INTRODUCTION
The Bearlodge Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest, will be seeking to fill one permanent, full-time, GS-0193-11, Archeologist position with a duty station in Spearfish, South Dakota. The purpose of this outreach is to gauge interest in the position. Please see the “Contact Information” section at the bottom of this notice for information on how to express interest in the position.
MAJOR DUTIES
Program Planning
We are looking for an individual that works well in a team environment. Primary duties include being the Zone Archeologist to provide daily supervision and leadership for two GS-9 District Archaeologists, and two GS-7 Archaeological Technicians, and up to four temporary seasonals. The incumbent will also provide support to other program areas such as timber, recreation, range management, fire, wildlife, lands, and minerals programs. This support involves determining whether proposed activities have the potential to affect historic properties, identifying appropriate mitigation measures, documenting anticipated effects in written Section 106 reports, and helping to coordinate consultation between the District Ranger, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and tribal representatives. The selected individual may serve as an interdisciplinary team member on a variety of projects planned in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The Zone Archaeologist is also responsible for reviewing 3rd party contractor reports. The Zone Archaeologist is the lead heritage point of contact for both South Dakota and Wyoming State Historic Preservation Offices.
Data Management
The incumbent will manage the District’s GIS database for all archaeological site and survey information and be responsible for tracking site data and program accomplishments using the NRM (INFRA) Heritage Module for upward reporting (as required to meet the heritage program managed to standard).
Supervision
This position directly supervises two permanent GS-193-9 District Archaeologists, and oversees two permanent GS-102-7 Archaeological Technicians, and up to four temporary (1039) seasonals during the field season.
Other Duties
The incumbent will have an opportunity to help guide the direction of the heritage program across the Zone. Periodic opportunities to develop Passport in Time (PIT) projects exist. There are also opportunities to develop partnerships with external parties to assist in the maintenance and rehabilitation of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
We are seeking applicants with strong verbal and written communication skills and strong analytical skills. Experience with all Microsoft programs, INFRA, and ArcMap is very important.
QUALIFICATIONS
Please refer to the Basic Requirements for the Archeology Series 0193 according the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The incombent must be qualified for this position at the GS-11 level.
For more information visit the following website http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0100/0193.htm.
BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST
The Black Hills National Forest consists of 1.2 million acres of forested area. The forest is about 110 miles long and 70 miles wide. It is surrounded by plains and grasslands on all sides. Approximately 87 percent of the Forest is in South Dakota; the remainder is in Wyoming. Ponderosa pine is the dominant tree species. The forest contains lesser amounts of white spruce, aspen, birch and oak. Timber production and recreation are two dominant uses of the Black Hills. Mining and grazing activities are also prevalent. Areas of interest within the Black Hills include Mount Rushmore National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park, and Crazy Horse Mountain.
BEARLODGE RANGER DISTRICT
The Bearlodge Ranger District totals about 170,000 acres in the northern part of the Black Hills in the State of Wyoming and includes the Bearlodge Mountains. Timber harvest and related silvicultural activity is the largest resource program on the district. The district also has very active programs in lands and minerals, wildlife habitat improvement, recreation, cultural resources, and livestock grazing. Game species on the District include white-tailed and mule deer, elk, and turkey. The Black Hills National Forest is emphasizing prescribed fire and travel management as an integral element of a successful ecosystem-based land management program.
This area has a rich history from the early Native American groups who still hold strong cultural ties to the Black Hills, to the mining history that originated in Deadwood, South Dakota. Early pioneers crossing the prairie homesteaded in this part of the Black Hills in hopes of grand mining prospects or were employed by the timber industry that continues to be a part of the local economy today.
SUNDANCE COMMUNITY
The Bearlodge Ranger District has an office on the eastern edge of Sundance, Wyoming, which has a population of approximately 1,200. Sundance is the county seat of Crook County and is located 30 miles west of Spearfish, SD, 80 miles northwest of Rapid City, SD, 60 miles east of Gillette, WY, 365 miles north of Denver, Colorado, and 200 miles northeast of Casper, Wyoming. The elevation of Sundance is 4,753 feet above sea level.
The town of Sundance is a scenic community with moderate temperatures. The average annual mean temperature is 43.7 degrees with the average January temperature 19.1 degrees and July’s average of 69.2 degrees. The annual average rainfall is 18.78 inches and annual snowfall is 74 inches. Prevailing winds are from the northwest.
The community of Sundance offers one library, two day care centers, ten churches, four motels, one RV park, one hospital, a nursing home, one dentist, four doctors, one pharmacy, one newspaper, one bank, cable television, post office, telephone service, police department, volunteer fire department, emergency medical technicians, city offices, as well as some local retail businesses. The nearest commercial airports are located in Rapid City, SD (80 miles) and Gillette, WY (60 miles) both full-service communities.
Public recreation in Sundance include one baseball field, one golf course, two tennis courts, one bike path, one swimming pool, and two parks. In the immediate vicinity is trout fishing, access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, hunting, hiking and camping. Forest service campgrounds near Sundance are Cook Lake, Reuter, and Sundance Trailhead. Devils Tower National Monument, featured in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” is located 27 miles northwest of Sundance. There is a Wyoming State Park at Keyhole Reservoir 19 miles west on Interstate 90.
Other area recreation facilities and attractions available around Sundance include the Crook County Museum and Ranch A. There is also the D. C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery, Matthew’s Opera House, High Plains Heritage Center, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD; and Bear Butte State Park, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and downhill and cross country skiing all within an hour’s drive.
Major employers in Sundance are: Crook County School District, Crook County government, US Government agencies, Powder River Electric (REA), Crook County Nursing Home, Energy Electric and Wyoming Transportation Department. The economic base for the area is primarily ranching, logging, mining and tourism.
Rental homes are scarce in Sundance; rent averages $700 for a three bedroom home. There are a limited number of homes for sale in the $75,000 to $150,000 range (median home price is $132.300). There is some housing available in Upton, WY located 30 miles southwest of Sundance and more real estate available in Spearfish.
Sundance has a public school district with one elementary school, one junior high/high school, one alternative high school, and a Community Education Program. Black Hills State University in Spearfish offers both day and night classes, as does Gillette Community College.
The Sundance area is a thriving community with recreational opportunities unending. Property taxes in Wyoming are very reasonable; the property taxes in South Dakota are considerably higher. For more information on Sundance, Wyoming please visit the following websites.
http://www.sundancewyoming.com/
http://www.sundancewyoming.com/index.php/sundance/relocation-guide
NORTHERN HILLS RANGER DISTRICT
The Northern Hills Ranger District employs approximately 50-55 permanent full-time employees and an additional 50 seasonal hires. It encompasses approximately 326,000 acres in the northern part of the Black Hills. Vegetation management (timber harvest/fuels reduction) and related silvicultural activities are the largest resource programs on the District. Average annual timber offer is about 30 million board feet. Fuels and KV programs treat about 10,000 acres per year. The district also has very active programs in lands and minerals, wildlife habitat improvement, recreation, cultural resources, and livestock grazing. Game species on the district include white-tailed and mule deer, elk, Merriam’s turkey and ruffed grouse.
This area has a rich history from the early Native American groups who still hold strong cultural ties to the Black Hills, to the mining history that originated in Deadwood, South Dakota. Early pioneers crossing the prairie homesteaded in this part of the Black Hills in hopes of grand mining prospects or were employed by the timber industry that continues to be a part of the local economy today.
SPEARFISH COMMUNITY
Spearfish is located 45 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota and 10 miles east of the South Dakota/Wyoming state line. It is also located about 400 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado and 500 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Interstate 90 is adjacent to the town. Elevation is 3,680 feet above sea level. Population is about 13,000, including nearby developments.
Spearfish is a thriving, progressive, and scenic community. It is immediately adjacent to the northernmost slopes of the Black Hills. Temperatures are moderate, though seasonal, with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Average rainfall is 21 inches, and average snowfall is 48 inches. Prevailing winds are from the northwest. The average annual high temperature is 59.6 degrees, with an average annual low temperature of 36.5 degrees. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearfish,_South_Dakota)
Spearfish offers a 4-year university (Black Hills State University) and a public library. It contains numerous churches, motels, grocery stores, and banks. There is a hospital and nursing home in town. A variety of dental and medical services are available. The town offers local newspapers (Black Hills Pioneer), indoor theaters, and radio stations. Telephone, cable television, satellite and internet provider services are also available. Spearfish has a police and volunteer fire department, emergency medical technicians, city offices and many retail businesses. The nearest airport is Black Hills Airport 4 miles east of Spearfish; and commercial airline service is available at Rapid City Regional Airport 55 miles east of Spearfish.
Recreation facilities include a golf course, bowling alley, soccer and baseball fields, tennis and horseshoe courts, museums, parks, a large indoor fitness and athletic center, a city campground, and several private campgrounds. Forest Service campgrounds are available within 15 miles of town. Access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, a 100-mile long hiking trail (Centennial Trail), a 110-mile long biking, hiking and horseback trail (Mickelson Trail), and 2 downhill ski areas is nearby.
Major employers in or near Spearfish are Black Hills State University, Spearfish Forest Products (sawmill), Spearfish School District, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Dorsett Home (nursing home), Spearfish Regional Hospital, the City of Spearfish, the USDA Forest Service, and Black Hills Special Service Cooperative.
Spearfish has a public school district with 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school (grades 6-8), 1 high school and 1 accredited Christian school (grades K-12). There are also few private preschools, and a Head Start program. Black Hills State University (http://www.bhsu.edu/) offers both day and night classes. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus is located approximately 45 miles away in Rapid City.
Numerous housing options are available in and around Spearfish. In Spearfish, the average cost to rent a 2 bedroom apartment is $650, and the average cost to rent a 3 bedroom house is $1,100. (https://www.rentrange.com/rental-rates/SD/Spearfish). Average listing prices for homes to purchase range from about $290,000 and up (http://www.zillow.com/spearfish-sd/home-values/). There is no state income tax in South Dakota, but property taxes in Spearfish are fairly high. To view a listing of homes currently on the market, you can visit the Black Hills Association of Realtors website at http://www.bhmls.com/. For more information on the Spearfish community, contact the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce at 605-642-2626 or view the following website at http://www.spearfishchamber.org/.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you are interested in this position, please respond to Steve Kozel, Bearlodge District Ranger, at skozel@fs.fed.us via e-mail with the attached outreach form by November 3, 2015. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the position please call (307) 283-1361.
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
North Zone Archaeologist GS-193-11
USDA Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest,
ATTN: Steve Kozel
E-MAIL: skozel@fs.fed.us
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Date:
Address:
Phone: Email address:
Are you currently a Federal employee? Yes_______ No__________
How did you hear about this outreach? ________________________________________
If Yes, Current Region/Forest/District:
Current Series and Grade:
Current Position Title:
Agency Employed With: USFS _BLM OTHER:_____________
| Type of Appointment: | PERMANENT | TEMPORARY | TERM |
| VRA | PWD | ______OTHER |
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO BE HIRED UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL AUTHORITIES:
______PUBLIC LANDS CORPS NONCOMPETITIVE HIRING AUTHORITY
PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
VETERANS READJUSTMENT
DISABLED VETERANS W/30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998
FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
PATHWAYS PROGRAMS (Current Student, Recent Graduate, Presidential Management Fellow)
_____OTHER