OUTREACH NOTICE
Hiawatha and Superior National Forests
Forestry Aid/Forestry Technician, GS-462-3/4/5
Reply by September 26, 2014
These positions were previously outreached individually by both Forest and are now being jointly outreached. If you
replied to the Superior outreach you don’t need to resubmit.
The Hiawatha and Superior National Forests will soon be advertising to fill up to 4 positions located in
Aurora, MN; Cook, MN; Raco, MI; and/or Tofte, MN
About the Position duties include working in the field performing timber preparation duties.
Ideally, applicants would have:
 Experience with timber sale preparation
 A safe and professional working attitude and good communication skills
 Ability to work with others and help foster a positive work environment
GS-3 Position Duties
The incumbent will serve as a crew member on a timber marking crew performing timber sale preparation
duties including, timber marking and timber cruising, with minor duties involved in sale layout. Work is
completed under the direct supervision of a qualified timber cruiser. This is a field going position. The work
is often arduous, and you will be expected to work with the crew, walking for extended periods including
walking on uneven terrain in all environmental conditions including sunshine, rain and snow, with varying
temperatures.
GS-4 Position Duties
The incumbent will serve as a crew member on a timber marking crew identifying and marking trees that will
be included in a timber sale. This is a field going position. The work is often arduous, and you will be
expected to work with the crew, walking for extended periods including walking on uneven terrain in all
environmental conditions including sunshine, rain and snow, with varying temperatures.
For timber cruising, serves as tally person and may operate electronic field data recorders. Incumbent assists
in the measuring 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 species.
Participates in other aspects of resource management support work such as recreation, maintenance,
silviculture, tree planting, etc.
Performs other duties as assigned.
GS-5 Position Duties
The incumbent performs preparatory work for timber cruises, such as traversing and mapping units to be
cruised; estimates volumes and quality of timber during cruises using established quality standards; measures
diameters, heights, limited defects, etc.; summarizes and reports data collected as to type, grade, species, size,
etc.; describes general conditions found, including possible logging difficulties; and helps to prepare timber
sale maps.
Marks timber using well defined marking rules, established marking guides, and specific instructions.
Determines merchantable volume by use of prescribed volume tables, techniques, and specific instructions.
As assigned, performs resource work in other areas such as inspecting reforestation contracts, fighting fire, or
burning slash.
As part of a crew, incumbent will help orient new crew members and provides on-the-job instructions and
guidance.
Performs other duties as assigned.
The Hiawatha National Forest lies in the central and eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Approximately 1
million acres fall within the Forest boundary.
Hiawatha National Forest’s uniqueness stems largely from its proximity to three Great Lakes. The Great
Lakes affect its weather, recreation opportunities, scenery, historic sites, hydrology, and ecosystem diversity.
The Forest’s recreation niche, “Your Great Lakes National Forest” captures some of this uniqueness by
focusing on the Forest’s “Great Lakeshores” (Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron), “Great Lighthouses”
(Point Iroquois, North Light, East Channel Light, Christmas Range Light, Peninsula Point and Round Island
Lighthouse); “Great Islands” (Grand Island, Round Island, and St. Vitals Island); and “Great Snow” (referring
to the hundreds of inches of snow that fall each winter
Hiawatha National Forest is divided geographically into two units. St. Ignace/Sault Ste Marie Ranger District
is part of the Forest’s East Unit, The Forest’s East Unit includes the St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie Ranger
Districts, including a work station located in Raco. The East Unit includes shoreline on Lake Superior,
Michigan and Huron. The Forest’s West Unit includes the Munising Ranger District and Rapid
River/Manistique Ranger District. The West Unit includes shoreline on Lakes Superior and Michigan.
The Superior National Forest is located in the northeast tip of Minnesota and is sandwiched between Lake
Superior and the Canadian border. One third of its three million acres contains the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The National Forest has over 2,000 lakes, 3,400 miles of streams, hosts 27
Forest Service campgrounds, nine Minnesota DNR campgrounds, 2,200 developed campsites within the
BWCAW, and 254 back country campsites outside the Wilderness. These camping areas provide quick access
to 354 fishing lakes, 162 public boat landings, 29 picnic areas, 400 miles of designated hiking trails, 450 miles
of groomed cross-country ski trails, and over 1500 miles of canoe routes through the BWCAW.
Additional information regarding the Superior National Forest can be found at the website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior
Aurora, Minnesota is 60 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota. Five other small cities are located within 20
miles of Aurora. Surrounding rural communities also provide opportunities for housing outside Aurora. The
local economy is based primarily on taconite mining. Tourism is also important, including income from allseason visitors. Outdoor recreational opportunities include deer and small-game hunting, snowmobiling,
downhill and cross-country skiing, biking and hiking. Lakes and rivers for fishing, boating, canoeing and
swimming are located within close proximity to all communities. There are numerous golf courses in the area,
in addition to Giants Ridge Golf and Ski resort which is located within five miles of Aurora. Health care
facilities in Aurora and Virginia include a hospital and a clinic. The K-12 public school system in Aurora and
Virginia provide a curriculum including college level courses. A community college is located in
Eveleth/Virginia. Many area churches serve various faiths. More information on Aurora, Minnesota can be
found at: www.ci.aurora.mn.us
Cook Minnesota has a population of 622. It is a full service community with a hospital, medical/dental clinic,
K-12 school, 5 churches, public and school libraries, 3 banking institutions, fire department, airport, 1 grocery
store, 2 hardware stores, 2 new and used car dealerships, furniture store, movie theatre, sporting goods store,
drug store, restaurants, and other local businesses. Area recreational opportunities cover a broad spectrum:
swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, snowmobile use, cross country skiing, golfing, and more. More
information on Cook Minnesota can be found at: www.cookminnesota.com, www.timberjay.com,
www.cookmn.com, www.lakevermilion.com.
The Raco Work Center is located in the heart of the Eastside about 1 mile west of Raco, Michigan. The
Ranger District Office for the St. Ignace/Sault Ste Marie Ranger Districts is located in St. Ignace, Michigan.
The 396,000 acre Unit includes Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway, Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Round Island
Lighthouse, four Wildernesses, and portions 2 Wild & Scenic Rivers.
Other highlights of the District include:
 Point Iroquois Lighthouse is the Unit’s premier visitor facility, hosting over 70,000 visitors each year,
with most visitation concentrated in July and August.
 Timber program harvests approximately 20 MMBF of timber annually in a variety of forest types
(northern hardwoods, aspen, red pine, jack pine, swamp conifer)
 Wildlife and Plants program includes numerous threatened & endangered plant & animal species, a
strong native plants program
 The District’s Recreation Program features recreation facilities along three Great Lakes’ shorelines.
Another recreation highlight is the Districts’ trails program, including over 80 miles of the North
Country National Scenic Trail
Tofte, Minnesota is a small picturesque town on the shore of Lake Superior with a population of about 200. It
is home to a bank, a Lutheran Church, resorts and restaurants, a grocery store, a gas station and a couple of
gift shops. There is an elementary school (grades 1-5) with the remaining grades at a larger school in Grand
Marais. Tofte is located between the communities of Silver Bay and Grand Marais. There are limited
opportunities for home purchase or rental. More information on Tofte, Minnesota can be found at:
www.boreal.org, www.grandmaraismn.com, www.silverbay.com, www.exploreminnesota.com
Derek Anderson, 218-663-8072, derekdanderson@fs.fed.us would be glad to provide additional information
on the openings in Minnesota.
Martha Sjogren, 906-643-7900 ext. 117, msjogren@fs.fed.us would be glad to provide additional
information on the openings in Michigan.
OUTREACH NOTICE REPLY
Hiawatha and Superior National Forests
GS-0462-3/4/5, Forestry Aid/Technician
Raco, MI; Aurora, MN; Cook, MN and/or Tofte,MN
Your response to this outreach will help us determine the level of interest of prospective candidates in this
opportunity and advertisement strategy (target grade or career ladder).
Please indicate your interest in this position by completing and submitting this form to Mary Wilson at
mwilson02@fs.fed.us by September 26, 2014. Non-federal employees are asked also to submit a brief resume.
Thank you.
Contact Information
Contact Information
Name:
E-mail address:
Contact Number:
Current Federal Employees:
Agency/Forest:
Series:
Grade:
Position Title:
Type Appointment:
Non-Federal Employees
Current Occupation:
Agency/Company:
Are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
Schedule A
VRA
Former Peace Corp Volunteer
Public Land Corps
Other ____________________________________________
We appreciate your interest in the Superior National Forest