OUTREACH NOTICE
GS-1101-4/5 Resource Technician
Permanent Full time
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT, CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST
Date of Notice: Sept. 25, 2013
The Sioux Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest, Camp Crook, South Dakota, will be
filling a GS-1101-4/5 Resource Technician with a starting salary of $27,000 to $31,000 depending
on qualifications. This is a permanent full time position. This position will be filled at the GS-4
level for training and development and will have promotion potential to the GS-5 level. This
notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity and
to determine the level of interest in this position. The reporting date for this job is anticipated to
be winter 2013-2014. Govt. housing is available.
The position is located on the Sioux Ranger District of the Custer National Forest. The incumbent
has responsibilities that include: Serves as a Resource Clerk, and Information Receptionist for the
Sioux Ranger District of the Northern Region. Provides technical and clerical support in special
uses including permit preparation, annual and term plans of operations, insurance requirements
and compliance and calculation of fees and billings. Greets visitors, answering telephones, responding
to routine inquiries from a variety of customers and providing overall support to the administrative staff on
the unit.
Here is the link to the announcement in USAJOBS:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/352297900
Duties include:
Prepares a variety of special use permits from permittees' applications in accordance with Forest
Service manuals, handbooks and regional guides. Ensures selection of proper special clauses
pertinent to the particular type of permit. Ensures that required terms and conditions are included
in permits and authorizing laws, agency policies, and regulations are adhered to.
Incumbent interacts with permit holders, internal customers, and Forest users in relation to special
use permits on a regular basis.
Prepares and maintains case folders, ensuring all requirements are met (insurance and operating
plans).
Enters estimates and actual use figures into automated databases for fee computation. Calculates
simple fees and/or reviews calculations done by permit administrators. Responsible for
management of and maintenance of multiple databases that integrate with the electronic financial
system for issuance of permits, bills for collection, etc. Ensures accuracy of information in
databases.
Notifies permittees of new fees.
Creates bills for collection for contracts and permits. Sends and tracks bills and payments through
the automated financial system. Coordinates annual billing and follow-up on delinquent payments
based on content of permit, contract, easement, etc.
Serves as a collection officer and verifies that funds have been collected in accordance with Forest
Service policy.
Reads and keeps apprised of organizational and Agency-wide directives and procedures in order to
be aware of changes and new requirements affecting the work of the organization. Such
procedures concern preparation and processing of correspondence, reports, and forms; hard-copy
and electronic filing; mail procedures; preparation of travel vouchers; and, security procedures.
Greets visitors and answers the telephone. Provides routine information and answers many types
of inquiries on all research and/or forest activities such as the whereabouts of key personnel and
directions to facilities. Refers difficult, technical, or special questions to the appropriate staffs.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT INFORMATION:
Slim Buttes Area
Long Pines Area
Chalk Buttes Area
The Sioux Ranger District straddles the boundaries of the states of Montana and South Dakota. It
covers approximately 193,000 acres and is composed of eight separate units of Federal land. The
District has often been described as “islands of green in a sea of rolling prairie”. This is an
appropriate description as the Federal lands are hills or mesas of ponderosa pine rising above
rolling grasslands. The area offers excellent habitat for antelope, mule deer, whitetail deer, and
turkey. The area is also rich in cultural resources, produces some oil, and supports a sizeable
rangeland and grazing resource. One of the largest populations of merlins (a small falcon) known
in North America occurs on the District. There are two classified National Natural Landmarks on
the District, the Castles, and Capitol Rock.
There are six developed campgrounds on the district. There are numerous opportunities for
dispersed recreation activities such as hiking and riding throughout the District. There are no
designated hiking trails but most of the ridges are open and provide spectacular panoramic views.
There are stocked fishing ponds that contain crappie and bass, or rainbow trout.
CAMP CROOK COMMUNITY INFORMATION:
Community:
The town of Camp Crook is located in the NW corner of South Dakota next to the Little Missouri
River. Three miles west is the Montana boarder; 70 miles north is the North Dakota boarder and
65 miles southwest is the Wyoming border. The population is approximately 55. Although Camp
Crook is no longer the county seat, it hosts the Harding County Fair every year, which attracts
around 300 people. The population of Harding County is approximately 2000. Camp Crook has a
store, two bar/restaurants and a community center.
Health and Medical Services:
There is an active Emergency Medical Technician group in Harding County and five of them
reside in the Camp Crook area. Camp Crook also has an ambulance (BLS). A Physician’s
Assistant lives and works in Buffalo, South Dakota, 24 miles away. There is no hospital in
Harding County. There is one in Ekalaka, Montana (60 miles west), Bowman, North Dakota (75
miles north) and Spearfish, South Dakota (90 miles southeast). A chiropractor comes to Buffalo
once week.
Education:
The Camp Crook School has grades K-8. It is a small rural school, run by two teachers. Harding
County High School is located in Buffalo, South Dakota (24 miles away). This school has grades
K-12; a very active sports program and a small music and arts program.
Social/Community:
Camp Crook has a Methodist Church in town. Fourteen miles out, in Capitol, Montana is a
Lutheran Church. Other denominations can be found in Buffalo, SD. The churches are active with
bible studies and provide summer activities for children. 4-H is very active in Harding County and
has several members in Camp Crook. Rodeo is a favorite pastime for many of the residents.
Community Theater also goes on in the winter time about 20 miles North of Camp Crook at a
community hall.
Housing:
Government Housing is available.
AREA INFORMATION:
Buffalo South Dakota, has a population of approximately 500, is the county seat of Harding
County and is located approximately 24 miles east of Camp Crook.
Bowman, North Dakota is about 55 miles north of Buffalo and has a population of 1,741, has
several gas stations, cafes, motels, grocery stores, eye doctors, chiropractors and dentists.
Belle Fourche South Dakota is 68 miles south of Camp Crook (45 of it gravel road) and has a
population of over 5,000 with the services you would expect of a larger community, except for a
hospital.
Spearfish, South Dakota is 12 miles south of Belle Fourche and has a population of over 9,000. It
is home to Black Hills State University and the Northern Hills District Office of the Black Hills
National Forest. It has all of the amenities available and is where most of the people in this area
go for shopping, medical, entertainment, etc.
OUTREACH RESPONSE:
If you are interested in more information on this permanent job call: Kurt Hansen, District Ranger
at 605-797-4432. Please indicate if you have career or career-conditional status and the highest
grade you have ever held.