Monongahela National Forest
Outreach Notice
Date of this Notice: May 7 2014
Notice Valid through: May 28, 2014
The Monongahela National Forest will
soon be advertising to fill a Forest
Wildlife Biologist (GS-0486-12)
position. Duty location will be the
Supervisor’s Office in Elkins, West
Virginia.
Primary Contact:
Kent Karriker, Ecosystems Group Leader
304-636-1800, ext. 206
kkarriker@fs.fed.us
About the Position:
This is a permanent full-time position, located in the Supervisor’s Office in Elkins, WV.
The Forest Wildlife Biologist serves as the program manager for the Forest’s Wildlife
and TES Species program and is a member of an Interdisciplinary Team engaged in a
variety of programs and projects at the landscape scale.
The Forest Wildlife Biologist supervises one Wildlife Biologist in the SO. The Forest
Wildlife Biologist also works closely with, but does not supervise, four District Wildlife
Biologists. The Forest Wildlife Biologist is supervised by the staff officer for the
Ecosystems Group. This is an exempt, non-bargaining unit position.
Major Duties of the Position:
The incumbent is responsible for the development of the overall Forest Wildlife
Management and TES Species Program, including formulation of policy objectives,
integration with other programs, and the establishment of priorities. Serving as the
subject matter expert, this person will provide Forest line officers with advice and
interpretation of a broad range of environmental policies related to wildlife and TES
species. The incumbent provides other program managers and district biologists with
technical leadership and guidance concerning interpretation and implementation of
policies related to wildlife and TES species. This position:
 Develops Forest programs, plans and policies relating to the management of
wildlife and TES species.
 Identifies wildlife and TES species resource problems; proposes corrective
action, and provides leadership and direction in initiating programs to solve
problems.
 Provides guidance for the development of wildlife management and habitat
improvement plans at the Ranger District level; reviews program plans for
technical soundness and adequacy in meeting overall objectives.
 Inspects habitat improvement projects for compliance with approved plans.
 Plans and executes administrative studies and surveys to obtain information on
the effects of Forest management on wildlife populations and habitat.
 Serves as the Forest wildlife representative on the interdisciplinary team for the
Forest’s integrated planning and implementation process, assisting with
amendment and/or revision of the Forest Plan when needed, and providing
direction for monitoring the effects of the Plan on wildlife and habitat.
 Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team that works together to plan and
implement large landscape restoration projects.
 Serves as the Forest budget coordinator for the wildlife program, including
coordination with Regional staff on budget allocations; preparing budget reports;
providing coordination, monitoring and guidance to Districts on preparation of
project work plans; coordinating and monitoring of funding for wildlife partnership
projects; and monitoring expenditures across the Forest.
 Plans, tracks, and reports Forest-wide accomplishments for wildlife and TES
species.
 Represents the Forest Supervisor on committees, in conferences and at
meetings involving wildlife management at the state, local, and Federal levels.
Establishes and maintains close working relationships with state and federal
agencies to coordinate work and programs and to offer expert advice on wildlife
resource problems.
 Maintains a close working relationship with universities and research units to
coordinate research programs on the Forest, to outline needs, and to learn new
technology.
 Performs other duties as assigned
About the Forest:
The Monongahela National Forest includes over 921,000 acres of Federal ownership in 10
counties in West Virginia, making it the fourth largest National Forest in the 20 northeastern
states. It is within a one-day drive of one-third of the population of the United States. The
Forest is a recreation destination and a tourism attraction hosting over 3 million visitors
annually. The topography is varied, with elevations ranging from 900 feet at Petersburg to
4,863 feet at Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. The Forest has four Ranger
Districts, two Visitor Centers, eight Wildernesses, and the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks
National Recreation Area (the nation’s first Forest Service National Recreation Area). The
Forest is located in the Allegheny Mountains in southeastern West Virginia.
Year-round natural beauty and a tremendous range of slopes, aspects, and habitats
characterize the Forest. The area contains a range of dense forest ecosystems, ranging
from the high elevation red spruce forests to tall yellow poplar and other cove hardwoods,
to drier oak-hickory and pine stands, interspersed with small openings. The diversity of
habitats and underlying soils and geology led The Nature Conservancy to include most of
the Monongahela in an area deemed to be globally important for its ecology.
Within this mountain and valley setting, recreational opportunities abound throughout all
times of the year. A blanket of snow often covers the ground for much of the winter. Spring
brings moderate temperatures perfect for trout fishing. Summers are typically moderate,
with pleasantly sunny days perfect for camping and hiking. The forest is a favorite
destination in the fall, when the days turn cooler and the trees feature a beautiful palate of
reds, oranges and yellows. The Forest offers some of the best big and small game hunting
in the state. Fishing is also spectacular, especially trout fishing with designated areas for fly
fishing and catch and release. For more about the Monongahela National Forest, visit us
on the web at www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/.
About the Community:
Elkins is a regional center for many services, including medical, legal, dining, and shopping.
Rated as one of the top 100 Small Arts Communities in the United States, there is a locally
funded arts in the schools program; a Community Arts Center; a small college (Davis and
Elkins) with an internationally known 5 week summer program with classes in musical,
visual, and performance arts; and a community theater. All levels of education are
available, including a private Christian school and a Montessori school. Many churches are
located in the immediate area. Shopping includes small locally owned stores, and large
chain stores. Entertainment options include a multi-screen movie theater, two music and
dance variety show Branson-style venues, community plays, college plays, and dozens of
music performance locations.
Elkins is approximately 3 hours south of Pittsburgh, PA and 4 hours west of the
metropolitan Washington, DC area. Government housing is not available.
For more information about the area, please visit http://www.randolphcountywv.com/.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
If you are interested in this position or require more information, please fill out the
voluntary outreach response form and return to Kent Karriker at kkarriker@fs.fed.us or
call 304-636-1800 ext. 206 by May 28, 2014.
MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
OUTREACH NOTICE FORM
POSITION TITLE: Forest Wildlife Biologist (Wildlife Biologist) GS-0486-12
UNIT: Supervisor’s Office, Monongahela National Forest, Elkins, WV
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE:
TELEPHONE:
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
AGENCY:
LOCATION:
POSITION TITLE/SERIES/GRADE:
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:
If you are not currently a permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you
eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
Person with Disabilities
Veteran’s Readjustment Authority
Disabled Veterans with 30% Compensable Disability
Veteran’s Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
Former Peace Corps Volunteer
Other (Please Identify):
Please return your completed form to Kent Karriker (kkarriker@fs.fed.us) by
May 28, 2014.
Thank you for your interest in this position!