The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is seeking a diverse and qualified applicant pool in the interest of filling one GS-09
Permanent Full Time Botanist (0430) position. The Official duty station is Naches, Washington on the Naches Ranger District.
Transfer of Station (TOS) expenses may be authorized for this position.
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The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for this position and to establish the appropriate recruitment method and area of consideration for the advertisement
(e.g. government-wide/DEMO). Responses received from this outreach will be relied upon to make this determination. All applicants must meet the qualifications standards to be eligible for this position.
For additional information please contact: Jodi Leingang, Naches Ranger District, 10237 Hwy 12,
Naches, WA. 98937. (509) 653-1450. jleingang@fs.fed.us
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About the Position
This position serves as a botanist with staff responsibilities for developing, evaluation, and monitoring threatened, endangered and sensitive plant species, invasive plant species, and vegetation management programs. The incumbent has responsibility for providing professional, scientific assistance to the staff pertaining to a variety of botanical and sensitive plant related topics in support of Forest priorities. The selected candidate would:
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Conduct and oversee vegetation inventories, population, and community monitoring in compliance with selected protocols to contribute to the project's baseline data for botanical resources and coordinating surveys for special status plants and noxious weeds.

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Participate on interdisciplinary teams to provide the documentation and coordination necessary for the effective management of threatened, endangered and sensitive plants and invasive species.
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Develop and/or modify established procedures for recording plant survey information in order to meet environmental assessment requirements, botanical baseline data requirements, and for maintaining plants.
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Assist others in plant identification, as well as conducting training to help assigned field personnel recognize, identify, and locate plant species.
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Maintain plant survey and monitoring records in appropriate data base files, in addition to collection and preparation of voucher specimens for plants.
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Assist in the development and implementation of management plans for the protection and enhancement of habitat for special status plants, and the control of noxious weeds or other invasive species.
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Perform assignments which may include collaborating with other resources specialists in the preparation of prescribed fire, pesticide use and NEPA compliance documents for a variety of vegetation management and restoration actions.
About the District
Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains at the southern end of the 4,000,000+-acre
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the Naches Ranger District encompasses 518,983 acres. The
District is west of Yakima with two major mountain passes intersecting it, Chinook Pass to the north and White Pass to the south. Our neighbors to the west and at the crest of the Cascades are Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt.
Rainier National Park, and Mt.
Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. To the north is the Cle Elum Ranger District, the
Yakama Nation to the south, and a mixture of private lands and Washington State Dept. of Wildlife lands to the east. There are checkerboard land ownerships on the fringes of the District to the north, east, and south.
After the formation of the Cascade Range, repeated lava flows and glaciations over the last few million years produced many lakes, deep canyons and unusual rock contours such as Kloochman Rock east of Rimrock
Lake and Boulder Cave on the Naches River near Cliffdell. This variety of geology and a

wide difference in precipitation across the forest has led to diversity in vegetation, which changes with elevation and moisture from grass and sage in the lowlands, through stands of heavy timber, to alpine meadows at the highest reaches. Areas of the Cascade crest can receive over 100 inches of rain and as much as 20 feet of snow each year. To the east, an average of 10 inches annually results in near-desert conditions.
From many vistas, there are spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and other mountain peaks.
Within our boundaries are 224,503 acres of Wilderness, established by Congress to preserve the wild character of the land. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds in and out of the District on its way from Mexico to Canada. Wildlife is abundant and you might see elk, deer, black bear and mountain goats, as well as other species. Flower-filled meadows follow the receding snow, extending the season into late summer.
Our Ranger District has hosted many uses over the years. Historically, Indians hunted and fished while miners filed their claims searching for elusive minerals and trappers took their bounty to market.
Huge bands of sheep roamed the hillsides tended by solitary herders. Today, a few cattle and sheep use the Ranger District for summer grazing, but the wealth of water, wildlife, and scenery attract mostly the recreation-minded travelers.
The District offers some unique opportunities for recreation and a variety of natural resources. The historic Naches Pass Trail, for both motorized users and hikers, traces the path that early settlers used to reach Seattle, the last stretch of their journey from back east. Boulder Cave National Recreation
Trail is one of the most popular places on the District. Visitors enjoy the accessible trail along the river or hiking to the unique Boulder Cave. In the fall thousands of people come to experience white water rafting on the Tieton River. Both of the major highways that transverse the District are noted for their scenic quality. In 1931 the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and Dept. of Interior established the Mather
Memorial Parkway (a 50 mile stretch of State Route 410) for its outstanding scenic and recreational values. In 1998, the Federal Highway Administration dedicated State Route 410 as an All-American
Road. U.S. Highway 12 has received the designation of Scenic Byway.
About the Community
Naches, nestled in a scenic valley at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is the gateway to Yakima
Valley's agriculture and winery attractions to the east and the beautiful Cascade Mountains to the west.
This conservative town of approximately 700, with modern conveniences, old-fashioned values, and forward-thinking offers a quality of life that most seek, but rarely find when they move to a new community. From the country atmosphere to the outstanding “Blue Ribbon Schools”, many families choose to relocate to Naches for what the area has to offer their families. Most of the homes located in this rustic little jewel of a city were built 50-80 years ago. Homes in town are priced anywhere from
$100,000 to $180,000.
Just minutes west of Naches, summer and winter recreation and unparalleled natural scenery abound on White Pass and Chinook Pass, leading to the Mt. Rainier National Park. Enjoy snow skiing, river rafting, hiking, hunting, nature walks, boating, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, jeeping and many more outdoor activities.

The Naches Valley offers its residents a quiet, rural lifestyle, while enjoying proximity to the amenities in the nearby community of Yakima. All these factors and more make Naches a great place to raise a family, retire, and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
With White Pass Ski Resort and Mt. Rainier located just 45 miles to the west on Highway 12, as well as the city of Yakima located just 10 miles to the east ... whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation, a community college and higher education distance learning opportunities, quick access to the Yakima
Air Terminal, or shopping at the local malls, your destination is close at hand.
Being centrally located in the state, Naches is 2-3+ hours away from Seattle, Spokane, or Portland.
While retaining the high quality of life offered with a small town feel, Naches' proximity to the greater
Yakima area allows residents quick and easy access to cultural, shopping, and medical facilities.
To see further information regarding the local area you can visit http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/ and Yakima http://www.yakima.net/.

**OUTREACH**
BOTANIST GS-0430-09
NACHES RANGER DISTRICT
Please complete the following outreach form. Your response will assist us in determining the area of consideration for this position.
Please send your response to: Jodi Leingang jleingang@fs.fed.us
by February 20, 2016
Name:
Contact Phone #:
Internet Address:
Government Employee: Yes______No_______
If yes, name of Agency
Current Duty Location:
Current Position (title, series, and grade):
Type of Appointment: Permanent___Temporary___TERM___Other___
Eligible for Other Hiring Authority (check one), such as:
30% Disabled Veteran___Reinstatement Eligible___Peace Corps___Handicap
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