OUTREACH
GS-0462-03/04/05, Forestry Technician – Sale Preparation
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is seeking to fill several “1039” temporary positions at the GS-03
($12.07/hr) or GS-04 ($13.41/hr.) and GS-05 ($15.00/hr.) grade levels for the 2014 field season to assist with
our Timber Sale Preparation program. Some of these positions will be located at the High Cascades Ranger
District near Prospect, Oregon, and some will be located in Powers, Oregon. Regardless of their official duty
station, any of these positions may be called upon to work across the Forest. The eventual number of
temporary employees hired will be dependent on work scheduling and funding. Employment will generally
take place in mid-April or early May and go through October as influenced by work load, weather, and
funding. Government housing will be available.
Cascade Gorge, near Union Creek.
Natural Bridge, where the Rogue River goes underground.
Major Duties Associated With Position(s)
At the GS-03 Level
Takes and records basic measurements such as compass readings, distance measurements, tree heights, tree
diameters, tree growth, and determines common species. Receives training on marking trees for cutting and will
use equipment and tools such as Spiegel Relaskop, clinometer, compass, loggers tape, diameter tape,
increment borer, electronic field data recorder, and other work related equipment. Traverses boundaries of
harvest units. Assists in cruising timber by taking and recording simple measurements. Observes and
reports areas of possible archeological significance, and sightings of sensitive, threatened or endangered
wildlife or plants.
At the GS-04 Level
Selects and marks individual trees for harvest using well defined marking guidelines, silvicultural
prescriptions, and specific instruction. Traverses harvest units, processes information and produces maps.
Designates sale area and cutting unit boundaries on the ground. Interprets Aerial Photographs and locates
terrain features. For timber cruising, serves as tally person and may operate electronic field data recorders.
Assists in the measure of limiting distances, tree diameter, tree height, estimation of defect and quality, and
related fundamental timber cruising procedures. Timber cruising is done under the direct supervision of a
Qualified timber cruiser. Observes and reports areas of possible archeological significance, and sightings of
sensitive, threatened or endangered wildlife or plant species. Participates in other aspects of resource
management support work such as wildlife surveys, recreation, fire suppression, timber stand improvement,
silviculture, tree planting, and other duties as assigned.
At the GS-05 Level
Independently applies silvicultural prescriptions and marking guides to designate harvest timber. Brings to
the attention of responsible individuals situations on the ground that are inconsistent with prescriptions,
instructions, Forest Plan or NEPA guidelines. Acts as a Qualified or apprentice timber cruiser. Independently
applies the instructions issued in a cruise plan. Takes and records tree measurements, assesses quality, and
estimates defect. Prepares, inputs and processes cruise data on computer. Observes and reports areas of
possible archeological significance, and sightings of sensitive, threatened or endangered wildlife species.
Traverses harvest unit boundaries, road locations, and determines area. Participates in other aspects of
resource management support work such as wildlife surveys, recreation, fire suppression, timber stand
improvement, silviculture, tree planting, and may be asked to assist with Harvest Inspection, Thinning and
Pruning Contract Inspection, and other duties as assigned.
How To Apply
To be considered for these positions, applicants must create an online profile, and apply online at
https://www.usajobs.gov/. You must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be
considered for. Applicants should be physically fit, and at least 18 years of age. Announcement numbers
specific to these positions have not been generated at this time. Parties interested in a position at Prospect
should send their contact information to Craig Davis at cddavis@fs.fed.us, parties interested in a position at
Powers should send their contact information to Wes Crum at whcrum@fs.fed.us, or you can set up a job
search agent in USAJOBS that will notify you when the announcement numbers are available for you to
apply to. It is recommended that applicants apply as soon as the announcement becomes available, since the
hiring process may begin as early as the end of March.
IMPORTANT: When searching for or applying for these positions, be sure to select Prospect, Oregon
and/or Powers, Oregon as the duty station(s) where you are interested in working, as appropriate.
Information regarding qualification standards associated with the GS-3, GS-4 and GS-5 grade levels can be
found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedulequalification-standards/0400/forestry-technician-series-0462/.
Assistance with the application process can be found by calling the Albuquerque Service Center at 1-877372-7248, or review the file a t http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/USAJOBS_Instructions.pdf
These positions will be filled using open continuous rosters so you must be specific in the duty locations you
are applying to. To be considered for these positions please specify the following in your application.
Region: 6
Forest: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Duty Location: Prospect, OR - for the High Cascades Ranger District, or
Duty Location: Powers, OR – for the Powers Ranger District.
To be considered for either location, you will need to apply to each location separately.
A referral list will be generated from the upcoming announcements as early as April 1, 2014. If your
application has not been submitted before this date you may not be considered for the position(s).
Please feel free to contact the individuals below for further information
Craig Davis (Timber Management Assistant, Prospect): cddavis@fs.fed.us (541) 560-3469 or
Wes Crum (Timber Management Assistant, Powers): whcrum@fs.fed.us (541) 439-6241.
About the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Nestled into the southwestern corner of Oregon, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest covers nearly 1.8
Million acres, with mixed conifer stands stretching from the crest of the Cascade Mountain range on the east
to the coastal valleys on the west. Our five Ranger Districts include High Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains,
Wild Rivers, Gold Beach, and Powers with elevation ranging from 300 feet near Brookings to 9,495 feet
above sea level at the summit of Mount McLoughlin (pictured below).
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This forest is known for its scenic byways and outstanding recreational opportunities including hiking,
hunting, camping, fishing, rafting, skiing, and numerous other outdoor activities. Several large lakes, both
natural and manmade, can be found within and close to the forest. Big game can be observed at most times of
the year, including deer, elk, bear, and the occasional cougar. The city of Medford is a full-service
community, and is located near the center of the Forest.
Just 11 miles north of Prospect lies the Union Creek Resort, where several buildings constructed by the
Civilian Conservation Corps are still in use today. The only National Park in the State of Oregon, Crater
Lake, is right next door to the High Cascades Ranger District. Other popular destinations within and adjacent
to the High Cascades Ranger District include Lake of the Woods, Fish Lake, Willow Lake, Sky Lakes
Wilderness, Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, Diamond Lake, and last but not least, the Rogue River
itself.
About the Gold Beach and Powers Districts
The Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts are located in southwest Oregon near the Pacific Ocean and
contain the Elk, Rogue, Illinois, Chetco and South Fork of the Coquille River. The salmon runs on the south
coast of Oregon are some of the best in the lower 48 states. The rugged and remote Kalmiopsis, Wild Rogue,
Grassy Knob Wilderness and Copper-Salmon Wilderness areas are managed by the districts. With the mild
winter temperatures, it is not unusual for field work to occur year round. Together the districts encompass
approximately 653,000 acres.
Programs include Vegetation Management responsible for implementing projects on the Gold Beach and
Powers Districts such as timber sales, precommercial thinning reforestation, wildlife improvements, and
riparian enhancements projects. The Gold Beach and Powers timber target averages 15-20 mmbf per year
and is pretty much split evenly between the two districts. The group also manages a very active special forest
products program consisting primarily of gathering mushrooms, greenery and firewood for personal and
commerical use. The Wildlife and Botany programs have as their central tenet the conservation of
biodiversity. In addition to providing interdisciplinary team support to projects promoted by other
departments, e.g. timber sales and recreation, the Wildlife/Botany group proposes habitat restoration,
promotes native species, maintains legacy structure and is active in eradicating evasive and noxious weeds.
Habitats of particular focus include oak woodlands, upland meadows and old growth conifer forest. The
coastal watersheds of the districts support a strong anadromous fish population hence our fisheries programs
are of regional importance. Fire and Fuels Program actively supports fire suppression needs, prescibed fire
plans and support to other program areas.
About the High Cascades Ranger District
Located on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains in southwest Oregon, the upper Rogue River basin
and its many tributaries are a big attraction to our area. There are Ranger Stations both at Prospect and Butte
Falls, and both locations enjoy the support and benefits of those small, local communities. Salmon and fly
fishing are both popular here during fishing season, as are elk and deer hunting during those seasons. Our
district manages the Sky Lakes Wilderness which lies immediately east of us and south of Crater Lake
National Park. At our elevation and aspect, we enjoy four fairly well defined seasons usually typified by
snowy Winters, cool wet Springs, warm and dry Summers, and crisp cool Fall seasons. Winters can be
variable, with snow amounts at the Ranger Station anywhere between 1 and 5 feet for the Winter season.
Programs of work here include Wildlife and Fisheries, Fire and Fuels, dispersed and developed Recreation
including groomed snowmobile trails, and Vegetation Management which incorporates silviculture, timber
sales, timber stand improvement, and a Special Forest Products program that includes but is not limited to
mushrooms, boughs, Christmas trees, and of course, firewood.