6109.12
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
MARK TWAIN NF (REGION 9)
ROLLA, MO
FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 – TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
Supplement No.: R9 Mark Twain 6109.12-2003-2
Effective Date: June 24, 2003
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: MICHAEL M. SANDERS
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 6/24/2003
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. This is the first
supplement to this handbook.
New Document
R9 Mark Twain 6109.12-2003-2
7 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
R9 Mark Twain 6109.12-2002-1
7 pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
61– Establishes guidelines for the Mark Twain National Forest in the use of the Automated
Staffing Application Program (ASAP).
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
61 – RECRUITMENT
61.1 – Workforce Planning for Non-Permanent Positions
After careful evaluation, units should submit to Human Resources (HR) a listing of all temporary
positions they expect to fill within the current fiscal year. For consistency and consolidation
purposes, units should complete the Temporary Employment Plan form (see Exhibit 1)
identifying position title, series, grade, how they wish to fill their position (student, rehire,
competitive recruitment), name of supervisor of position, unit, date of expected hire, not-toexceed date, and verification that the position has not been filled 24 of past 36 months.
Upon receipt of unit submissions (around November 15 of each year), HR will present the Forest
Supervisor/Deputy Forest Supervisor a consolidated list of non-permanent positions for review
and approval.
Positions listed on the approved Temporary Employment Plan may be filled throughout the year
by the supervisor (or other designated unit personnel) through ASAP or other designated
recruitment program. Note: Supervisors (or other designated personnel) will need to complete
training in Automated Staffing Application Program) ASAP in order to request certificate of
candidates.
Before filling any additional positions to the approved Temporary Employment Plan, units will
need to submit a formal request (SF-52, etc.) to the Forest Supervisor /Deputy Forest Supervisor
for approval.
66.1 - Exhibit 01
Temporary Employment Plan
FY2002
Number
1
2
3
4
5
Unit
05-0000-03
05-0003
05-0003
05-0003
05-0005
Title, Series, Grade
Forestry Tech (Helitack), GS-462-3/4
Forestry Tech (Fire), GS-462-3/4
Forestry Tech (Fire), GS-462-3/4
Forestry Tech (Rec), GS-462-3/4
Forestry Tech (Tmbr) GS-462-3/4/5
Hiring
Process
recruit
recruit
recruit
recruit
recruit
Rehire
employee name
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
Date of
Supervisor
Hire
Carpenter, Lyn 2/1/2002
Graver, Tom 2/2/2002
Smith, Paul
2/1/2002
Trokey, Carol 4/1/2002
Blair, Gary
2/3/2002
as of 10/12/01
Not to Exceed
Date
7/30/2002
7/30/2002
7/30/2002
8/15/2002
Verification
position
filled 24/36
No
No
No
No
No
61.4 – RECRUITMENT METHOD
The Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) will utilize the ASAP, along with local recruitment
efforts, to fill temporary field going Forestry Aid/Technician, Biological Aid/Technician, and
Range Aid/Technician positions at GS-2 through GS-5 grade levels covered under the
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
Automated Temporary Employment Program (ATEP). Other temporary positions not covered
under ASAP will be filled through normal advertisement procedures.
62 - APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION
62.1 – Application Process
Applicants will be advised on how to apply for positions through ASAP (Exhibit 2) and should
be encourage to apply on-line. Applicants who cannot apply online via ADS may request hard
copy vacancy announcements and instructions from the USDA Forest Service toll free at (877)
813-3476, or fax (208) 373-4285, or TTY/TDD (866) 868-8354.
62.3 - Initial Appointment
First line supervisors (or other designated unit personnel) of positions approved on the yearly
Temporary Employment Plan may request a Certificate of Candidates from ASAP after attending
training on how to use ASAP. The Human Resource office will request Certificate of Candidates
for those supervisors (other designated unit personnel) who have not received the required
training.
First line supervisors and recommending officials must follow all veteran preference rules. First
Line supervisors or District Rangers may make job offers after the Forest Supervisor/Deputy
Forest Supervisor has reviewed and approved the recommendation for selection.
65 - RECORDS
65.1 - Required Records
The following documentation will need to be submitted at time of hire:
1. SF-52;
2. Position description(s);
3. Verification form (24/36 months);
4. Applications and Certification of Candidates (Automated process);
5. Student Requisition (if applicable); and
6. Application and transcripts of student (student requisition process).
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
62.1 - Exhibit 02
Automated Staffing Application Process (ASAP)
ASAP will annually issue vacancy announcements for temporary employment. You must
respond to the specific announcements in order to be considered for any temporary positions,
GS-2 thru GS-5 in the Forestry Aid/Technician, Range Aid/Technician and Biological
Aid/Technician series.
After you submit your application to ASAP, they will review your application and provide you
with information on your qualifications. After you receive that notice, you should contact the
office(s) for which you are seeking employment and let them know of your qualifications and
availability.
We will request a Certificate of Candidates. Depending on your application response,
qualification analysis, and dates of availability you may appear on our certificate. You may be
contacted by the local unit supervisor of the position we are filling for additional information on
your availability, interest and job qualifications. You will be notified if you have been selected
for the position, expected reporting date and any other pertinent information you will need to
know before reporting to duty.
Following is important information on how to apply for vacancies:
Applicant Guidelines for Applying On-line for Centralized
Nationwide Temporary Positions
For applicants applying for Forest Service jobs on-line via Avue Digital Services (ADS),
there are three basic steps to follow.
1. View locations of positions being filled at
http://wwwnotes.fs.fed.us:81/r1/hr/fstemphire.nsf
2. Create a personal profile on the Avue Digital Services (ADS) application
system.
3. Apply to vacancy announcements online via ADS.
View Position Locations
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
The centralized announcements are generic in nature so applicants do not have to
apply to individual announcements. Specific information such as locations, contacts,
etc. for individual positions for these national announcements are listed at:
http://wwwnotes.fs.fed.us:81/r1/hr/fstemphire.nsf Finding a government job involves the
same “leg work” as any other job you apply to. Make contact with those supervisors
listed on the website. Introduce yourself; make yourself available as you would for any
private sector position.
CREATING A PROFILE: REGISTERING WITH ADS
Go to www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html. Then click on the Forest
Service shield to logon.
Click on New User. Enter all fields in New User Registration window. Indicate where
you heard about this site by clicking on one of the options.
Click on Create or Update My Profile. Complete all sections (Personal Information,
Applicant Information, Work History, Eligibilities, References, Education Background,
Additional Information, Attachments) because all applicant information will be available
to the selecting official.
Be sure to click on the Save button on the bottom of each screen.
If you have a DD-214, or other documents to validate veteran’s status, they should be
attached in the Attach Resume and Supporting Documents section. If you are
unable to attach these documents they can be faxed to: (208) 373-4285. Please include
your name, social security number, and the announcement number(s) for the jobs you
have applied for (i.e., T019, etc.) on the cover sheet.
Return to the Main Menu by clicking on the icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
APPLY FOR JOBS ON-LINE
From the Main Menu of the ADS website, Click on Apply for Jobs
Click on the title of the job you wish to apply for. The vacancy announcement will
appear, read through it thoroughly. This will help you determine whether you qualify for
the position. On the menu bar at the left of your screen click on Apply Now to apply.
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
Each field in red under the Mandatory section must be completed before you submit
your application.
You will see a series of statements designed to evaluate your education and experience
in relation to the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for this position. Follow the on
screen instructions, which will indicate whether you are to select all statements that
apply to you or the one statement that best describes your education or experience.
Each mandatory step must be viewed, completed, and saved, changing each field from
red to yellow.
Once your application is complete, you may print a hard copy by clicking on This
Application under the View and Print menu on the left side of the screen. Click on
Send Application to submit your application. You will be asked to certify that the
information you are submitting is true. This is equivalent to signing a legal document.
Once you have certified your application, click on Save and Submit. You will then be
asked to complete an optional Applicant Survey on a pop-up window.
You will be congratulated upon successful submission of your application. You may
click on
Return to Application or Return to Vacancies to continue or you may exit the
system by returning to the main menu and clicking on the Quit button in the lower right
hand corner.
Update a Job Application Within ADS
Access ADS at www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html. Then click on the
Forest Service shield to logon using your applicant user id and password. Click on Jobs
I Have Applied For. Click on the update application option under the status of
application section. Go through each section and make changes as needed. Remember
to click Save at the bottom of each page after making your changes. Remember to resend the application.
WHAT’S NEXT?
You will receive an email message from the USDA Forest Service, letting you know that
your application was received. This message will also tell you how to check on the
selection process, as well as indicating whether you tentatively passed basic
qualifications for the position.
To check on the status of a vacancy announcement you have applied to, applicants can
access
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT 6109.12-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/24/2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6109.12 – EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 60 - TEMPORARY AND TERM EMPLOYMENT
Jobs I Have Applied For from the main menu in ADS to find updated selection
information.
Update a Job Application Within ADS
Access ADS at www.avuedigitalservices.com/usfs/applicant.html. Then click on the
Forest Service shield to logon using your applicant user id and password. Click on Jobs
I Have Applied For. Click on the update application option under the status of
application section. Go through each section and make changes as needed. Remember
to click Save at the bottom of each page after making your changes. Remember to resend the application.
HARD COPY APPLICATIONS
Applicants who cannot apply online via ADS may request hard copy vacancy
announcements and instructions from the USDA Forest Service toll free at (877) 8133476, or fax (208) 373-4285, or TTY/TDD (866) 868-8354.