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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST (REGION 4)
JACKSON, WY
FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 6445 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED QUARTERS
Supplement No.: 6400-2009-1
Effective Date: July 20, 2009
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: CAROLE ‘KNIFFY’ HAMILTON
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 07/20/2009
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was B-T NF
Supplement 6400-98-1 to FSM 6400.
New Document(s):
6445
7 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
B-T NF Supplement 6400-98-1 (8/15/01)
5 Pages
Digest:
This removes all previous pages.
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM # - 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER # - 6445 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED QUARTERS
6445—GOVERNMENT FURNISHED QUARTERS---JACKSON, NELSON, AND
COTTONWOOD ADMINISTRATIVE SITES
6445.02—Objectives.
To maximize use of available and future housing in the Jackson area (defined as Nelson,
Cottonwood, and Jackson administrative sites) and to attract and retain employees for the
Jackson Ranger District and the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) Supervisor’s Office.
The objectives include reviewing, approving, and researching all possible opportunities in the
Jackson area.
6445.03—Policy.
The policy for occupancy of dwellings on the Jackson, Nelson, and Cottonwood administrative
sites is determined by this FSM Supplement, the Housing Board’s interpretations and
recommendations, with final approval by the Forest Supervisor. Any exceptions to this policy
must be approved by the Forest Supervisor prior to implementation. The Housing Board shall
consist of the following members approved and/or designated by the Forest Supervisor:
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Forest Staff Officer
The Jackson District Ranger
A Facilities Manager
The Local 1290 will provide a Union Representative
An elected representative from the current housing residents (elected for a three year
term). The Housing Board conducts the election.
The Staff Officer will serve as the chairperson of the Housing Board and will call for a meeting
of the Board when needed. The Housing Board will make recommendations by majority with no
fewer than three members of the Board present. All recommendations of the Board will have
final approval by the Forest Supervisor unless otherwise noted in the policy.
6445.05—Definitions.
Permanent Housing. There are currently eleven (11) units designated as permanent
housing, nine (9) single-family homes and one duplex with two (2) units. Nine (9) of these units,
including the duplex, are at the Nelson administrative site and two (2) are located at Cottonwood.
See attached maps for specific locations. New permanent full-time employees are eligible for this
housing. See attached maps.
Permanent Manufactured Home Space. Space is available for Forest employees for the
term of their employment on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Currently there are nine (9)
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM # - 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER # - 6445 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED QUARTERS
pads located at the Jackson administrative site and two (2) pads at Cottonwood. The intent for
these pads is for the placement of long-term employee-owned manufactured homes that are
semi-permanent in nature. Permanent and Term employees are eligible for this space.
Seasonal Housing. This housing includes two (2) bunkhouses at Nelson, five (5) trailers
at the Jackson site, and two (2) houses at Cottonwood. All of these units are managed by the
Jackson Ranger District. The policy for Seasonal Housing is not discussed in this document. The
District Ranger is expected to review the Policy and update it if necessary within 3 months of the
effective date of this policy.
Seasonal Trailer Pads. Trailer pads are available for seasonal, temporary, and volunteer
Forest employees. There are three (3) pads located at the Cottonwood site. This space is
managed by the Jackson Ranger District.
Detailers. If housing is available, consideration will be given to allowing an employee
working for the BTNF on a detail to occupy government quarters if it does not interfere with
other housing needs.
Permanent Employees. Employees that have a permanent appointment. This could be
full-time or less than full-time such as a 13/13 or 18/8 appointments.
Term Employees. Employees that have a term appointment. These appointments include
NTE’s and Terms which can be extended up to 4 years They are not permanent employees.
Seasonal Employees. Employees that are on temporary appointments, primarily summer
employees. Typically these are the STEP’s and 1039 appointments. SCEP’s also fall into this
category until they are converted to a Permanent appointment.
6445.06—The Housing Process.
Employees who are eligible for permanent housing include those permanent employees, working
for the Bridger-Teton National Forest (their position is on the B-T approved Organization Chart),
who have a duty station in Jackson, they work within the Supervisor’s or District organizations
and meet the criteria in this Supplement. Other Jackson employees may request housing through
the Housing Board. The Board will make a recommendation and the Forest Supervisor will make
the final decision.
Any new or current permanent employee living in private housing in Jackson or within a
reasonable travel distance to Jackson will not normally be considered for permanent government
quarters. Reasonable travel distance is defined as living in an area from which they are currently
traveling to Jackson or an area where employees typically travel to Jackson for work.
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM # - 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
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Occupancy. The following describes the policy parameters in determining the availability and
assignment of housing and the qualifying status of applicants. Supervisor Office managers will
need to coordinate with the District if they have a need to utilize any of the resources it manages,
such as seasonal housing needs.
When a Permanent Full-Time position is to be filled, either through a vacancy process, lateral
reassignment, or special appointment, and the SF-52 has been approved, the supervisor of the
position will notify the Facilities Manager and Deputy Forest Supervisor if they would like the
position to have housing. Generally, vacancies will state “housing may be available” unless
otherwise agreed to by the Forest Supervisor. The priority will be in the order of the approval
date of the SF-52’s. The Facilities Manager and Deputy will maintain the list. Once a selection is
approved, the employee will be instructed to contact the Facilities Manager regarding what
housing is available and will provide a copy of the offer letter to the Facility Manager. Housing
availability is defined as a unit being vacant or will be vacant when the new employee reports for
duty. The new employee will be offered housing based upon what is available when their
selection is confirmed. They have 14 days from the time they are offered housing to accept or
decline the housing offered. Once an employee accepts a job without housing, the employee is
no longer considered for government housing. The list is kept by the Facility Manager and
Deputy Forest Supervisor. Both will agree on what positions are on the list and the order of
priority. No house hunting trips will be approved for employees selecting government housing.
1. Permanent Housing. Eligible employees include any new Permanent Full-Time employees.
a) With this Supplement the current policy of 36 months limited stay is removed. The
Forest anticipates additional housing becoming available in the next 2-3 years. Once the Forest
knows exactly how many new units will be available this policy will be updated to include the
new housing. At that time an occupancy limit may be placed on employees in government
housing. If at the time of implementation of that new policy, current occupants have exceeded
the new policy limits they will be notified and given 6 months to vacate the housing, if
management believes the housing will be needed for new employees moving in. If after 6
months they have not vacated and the unit is needed for a new employee, the occupant will be
given 30 days to vacate. Any extensions requested to this will be considered by the Housing
Board on a case by case basis and require final approval of the Forest Supervisor.
b) Employees currently working for the Supervisor’s Office or the Jackson Ranger
District (not currently in government housing) will not normally be considered for a housing
assignment. Such requests must go to the Board for review and require final approval of the
Forest Supervisor. An employee accepting a position without housing will not normally be
considered for a housing assignment later. Any such requests must go to the Board for review
and require final approval of the Forest Supervisor.
c) Supervisors may request the use of permanent housing for employees that are not
eligible as described in this policy if housing is available. Any such requests must go to the
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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Board for review and require final approval of the Forest Supervisor. Occupancy is subject to a
30-day notice to vacate if the unit is needed for someone qualifying for a housing assignment.
d) Once a housing assignment has been accepted, normally an employee cannot move to
another housing unit. Requests to move to another unit must go to the Board for review with
final approval of by the Forest Supervisor.
e) Units that are vacant can be considered for use for “temporary needs” for employees
that are in the process of securing permanent housing in the community and/or for detailers that
are only needed for a short period of time such as one to four months. Any such occupancy is
subject to a 30-day notice to vacate if the unit is needed for someone qualifying for a housing
assignment. Any such use must be requested through the Housing Board and approved by the
Forest Supervisor.
f) Newly hired Permanent employees with less than full-time appointments will not be
offered housing at this time and those vacancy announcements should not state that housing may
be available. However, once selected, the employee can request to be considered for a housing
assignment. The Housing Board will review their request and based on availability and
anticipated needs will recommend whether or not to assign the employee government quarters.
The Forest Supervisor will make the final decision. If additional housing becomes available in
the future, the Forest will review this policy (f) and determine if other appointments can be
consider for housing assignments.
2. Seasonal Housing. This housing is intended for employees that are temporary, volunteers,
and/or employees that generally do not work the entire year. Any employee with a duty station
of Jackson may request to be considered for seasonal housing. The Jackson Ranger District
manages the seasonal housing. Generally, this includes the two (2) bunkhouses at the Nelson
site, five (5) trailers at the Jackson site, and two houses and three trailer pads at Cottonwood.
Supervisor’s Office needs for seasonal employees should be arranged with the coordination and
approval of the Jackson District Ranger who manages the seasonal housing.
3. Permanent Manufactured Home Spaces. These spaces are intended for Permanent or Term
employees assigned to the Supervisor’s Office or the Jackson Ranger District. There are
currently nine (9) pads available at the Jackson administrative site. These are designed for semipermanent manufactured homes. These manufactured homes are employee-owned and are
designed and set on the pads for year-round occupancy. The pads at the Jackson administrative
site are not to be used for Recreational Vehicles or less than year-round use. Once an employee
is no longer employed by the BTNF, the manufactured home must be removed within sixty days
of the date they are no longer a BTNF employee unless the home is sold to another BTNF
employee with a permanent or term appointment and a duty station of Jackson. Another 60 days
can be granted upon request, with additional time granted at the discretion of the Forest
Supervisor.
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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Long-term Strategy, Employee-Owned Manufactured Homes
This policy does not require manufactured homeowners to sell and move their units. The B-T
will provide space for manufactured home pads at the Jackson, Cottonwood, and/or Nelson
administrative sites. Some homeowners may have to move to one of these locations depending
on the results of the Conveyance Project and sale.
If a current manufactured home owner chooses to sell their manufactured home and the
manufactured home is not moved to one of the administrative sites listed above, the BTNF will
give that manufactured home owner priority for one of the new housing units constructed in the
Conveyance Project for the length of their employment on the BTNF.
4. Seasonal Trailer Pads. Three (3) seasonal trailer pads are available at the Cottonwood
administrative site. This housing is intended for employees that are temporary, volunteers,
and/or employees that generally do not work the entire year. The Jackson Ranger District
manages these pads.
Unless specified in this policy, no RV, camping, or other living quarters are allowed on these
administrative sites unless approved by the Forest Supervisor.
6445.07—Additional Housing Policy.
1. Housing requests for government personnel other than the Forest Service may be considered
when vacant housing is available. If granted, any such occupancy is subject to a 30-day notice to
vacate if the unit is needed for someone qualifying for a housing assignment and is working for
the BTNF. Requests must go to the Board for review and final approval by the Forest
Supervisor.
2. Any sub-rental by the occupant of any Forest Service housing or trailer pads will not be
allowed. If an occupant desires to allow a BTNF employee to co-occupy their residence, a
request to the Housing Board must be submitted. The Board will make a recommendation and
final approval granted only by the Forest Supervisor. Such approval will require the government
pro-rate the occupancy and the co-occupant must pay the BTNF not the resident. If at any time
the resident is required to vacate the unit the co-occupant will also be required to vacate. Any
abuse of this privilege will result in immediate eviction.
BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST SUPPLEMENT 6400-2009-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/2009
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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3. Housing assignments shall be made without regard to race, religion, gender, color, marital
status, national origin, age, grade level, non-disqualifying handicaps, political affiliation, labor
organization affiliation or non-affiliation.
4. For un-programmed situations or situations that this policy does not address, the Housing
Board will consider all applicable factors and will make a written recommendation to the Forest
Supervisor for consideration and approval.
5. Occupants of government housing or leased space/pads assume responsibility for keeping pets
under control. Accepting a housing assignment requires that occupant(s) do not allow pets to run
free at any time, nor do they allow dogs to bark on a continuous or near continuous basis. Any
damages pets cause to their neighbor’s property are the responsibility of the owner. Failure to
resolve such issues may cause the occupant to be evicted. Pets will not normally be allowed in
seasonal housing situations.
6. The occupant is responsible for any damage to government quarters or leased space/pads
above and beyond what is considered normal wear and maintenance. The unit will be inspected
prior to occupancy with any defects or issues identified. Government quarters should be
inspected once a year and any issues noted. The occupant will be notified in advance of the
inspection and it is their responsibility to be present or ensure access to the unit. If repairs are
needed the BTNF will get the repairs completed and bill the occupant if appropriate. When
accepting a housing assignment the occupant accepts this responsibility. Manufactured homes
are not subjected to BTNF inspections.