Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Administration)
GS-0462-8/9
HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST
June 5, 2015
Outreach Notice
Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Administration)
GS-0462-08/09
Region 9
Hiawatha National Forest
Munising Ranger District
Munising, Michigan
The Hiawatha National Forest will be filling a
permanent full time Forestry Technician position, GS0462-8/9 (Timber Sale Administration) position on the
Munising Ranger District, with the duty station
located in Munising, MI. The purpose of this outreach
notice is to notify potential applicants of the position
availability and to provide a point of contact for
interested individuals to get needed information
about the position and community.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) red
pine plantations are just one of the
forest types managed for timber on the
Hiawatha NF.
Contact Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to reply to this outreach by June 26th, 2015. If
you are interested in being considered, please complete the Outreach Reply Form
attached at the end of this notice and return to:
Matthew McGiffin at mmcgiffin@fs.fed.us or at 8181 US Hwy 2, Rapid River, MI 49878.
If you need additional information, please contact Matt at 906-474-6442 Ext. 131.
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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About The Position
This position includes performing a variety of tasks in support of the District's timber
program. Workload is expected to be about 50% field and 50% office work.
The position serves as a 50% Sale preparation Forester and a 50% Sale Administrator for
all timber and stewardship contracts on the West Unit of the Hiawatha National Forest.
The Hiawatha National Forest has a strong record for quality work, innovation, and
accomplishment. The timber sale prep/administration team is well thought of both
internally and externally.
This position serves as the key position in both timber sale preparation and
administration. The position works closely with the resources internally and externally
to assistant in management of all aspects of the timber sale program. This position will
be involved with timber sale design, layout, best management practices, markets,
operability and logging methods, final logging plans, timber sale contract packages,
conducting appraisals, and contract oversight.
The Unit consistently prepares and sells 6-10 timber sales annually for a volume of
about 36,000-40,000 CCF (22-25 MMBF). We typically have 20-30 existing contracts
with four to ten sales active at any given time. The program manages a wide variety of
Great Lakes forest types including northern hardwoods, red/jack/white pine, aspen, and
swamp conifer. Timber sales are generally complex, and can include operating
requirements to manage forested wetlands while complying with BMPs and protections
for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. Timber is designated by cut tree
marking, leave tree marking, and species/diameter. The West Unit has a full range of
resource management programs, including recreation, wildlife, botany, fisheries, and
fire, in addition to the timber program.
The West Unit has been working with stewardship contracting and is currently
expanding their use. Types of service work performed include: mechanical site
preparation with roller chopper and anchor chains, Wildlife Clearing Maintenance, Gap
Cleaning in Northern hardwood, Slash Removal in Conifer, and retained receipts for a
large culvert replacement project, White Pine Prune and release, and Non- Native
Invasive Species Treatment, Road Decommissioning, and Riparian Planting activities.
Candidates need a strong and varied knowledge of forest management, natural
resources and good communication/collaboration skills.
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested must meet the
qualification requirements for the GS-0462 series. The OPM Qualification Standards
Handbook Manual is available for review at any federal personnel office OR on the
Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/GS-PROF.asp.
Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower level.
Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position that is
typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
GS-08: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade
level (GS-07).
About The FOREST
The Hiawatha National Forest lies in the central and eastern Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. Approximately 1 million acres fall within
the Forest boundary.
There are approximately 775 miles of rivers and
streams and more than 400 lakes on the forest.
More than seventy-seven miles of National Forest
shoreline lie along Lakes Superior, Michigan and
Huron. Nearly 46 percent of the Hiawatha is
wetlands of various types. Varying landforms,
combined with the influence of the Great Lakes,
create many different weather zones. Summer
temperatures are typically in the 70 degree range
near the Great Lakes shorelines, while inland away
from the lakes' moderating influence they reach 10
to 15 degrees higher.
The 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. Munising Ranger
District and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District comprise the Forest’s West Unit. The
West Unit includes shoreline on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. 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 Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron.
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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The weather in this area, due to the close
proximity to Lake Michigan, has consistently
high humidity and experiences four distinct
seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with
average high temperatures in the mid 80’s and
average lows in the mid 60’s. Winters are cold,
snowy and windy with temperatures often
below freezing. Spring and fall are mild with
low humidity.
Community Information
Brief Description of Munising, MI:
The beautiful Upper Peninsula is renowned for
its spectacular beauty in the Summer, Fall and
Winter. The Upper Peninsula is a diverse array
of northern hardwoods and pine forests, large
wetland complexes, dunes and swales, as well
as numerous inland lakes, marshes, and rivers.
The Forest has a strong trails program
The Hiawatha is surrounded by three Great
with over 100 miles of the North
Lakes (Michigan, Superior, Huron). Northern
Country National Scenic Trail.
Michigan is known for its recreation
opportunities. It has abundant fishing, biking,
hiking, camping, boating, sailing, kayaking, birding, Fall color tours, hunting, skiing,
snowmobiling and a host of other winter and summer sports. The Hiawatha is home to
over 52 mammals from shrews and martens to moose and over 300 bird species
including more than 25 warbler species.
Munising is located on the shore of Lake Superior in a setting of natural beauty and
scenic landscapes. With a population of 2,350 Munising is a full service community
including schools, hospital, and amenities. It is only 40 miles east of Marquette (pop.
65,000), the home of Northern Michigan University and a large regional hospital. Our
community is a safe, family oriented environment where a sense of community is
maintained and provides a variety of stores, banks, churches, high quality schools, sports
both through school and intramurals, quality medical professionals, and outstanding
tourism businesses and features. Tribal reservations in the area include the Michigan
Potawatomi, Bay Mills Indian Community, and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
The Northwood’s weather has pleasant summers of warm days and cool nights. Falls are
generally cool with several days of mild, balmy weather and spectacular leaf colors of
scarlet, orange, yellow, and green against a backdrop of deep blue and green waters.
Winters offer plenty of snowfall, heavier toward Lake Superior, and cold temperatures
that are moderated by the presence of the Great Lakes. Great opportunities for crosscountry skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing exist throughout the Forest.
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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Higher education opportunities are provided through Bay de Noc Community College
(Escanaba), Northern Michigan University (Marquette), and Lake Superior State
University (Sault Ste. Marie) several of which offer community and web-based classes in
addition to campus classes. Many civic organizations thrive in the area and contribute to
the quality of life hosting concerts, plays, and artwork.
Housing fluctuates based on the local market. A number of houses in Munising and the
commuting area are available from $100,000. There are others that may be of lower
value, but need fixing up, available on the market at any given time. Generally, there are
few houses and apartments for rent in the commuting area and range from $500 per
month on up. Rentals that accept pets are harder to find. Others may be more available
in the commuting area and there are several contractors available for home construction
contracts.
For Information about Munising, MI: Munising’s Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.munising.com/chamber of commerce.html
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and
activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex,
marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information,
political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any
public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice
and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice)
or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM
I am interested in this position on the Hiawatha National Forest, duty location to be the Munising
Ranger District. Position/Series/Grade: Forestry Technician (Timber Sale Administration),
GS-0462-8/9
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name:
Date:
Address:
Phone:
Email address:
Are you currently a Federal employee?
Yes
_____
No
If YES, CURRENT REGION/FOREST/DISTRICT:
CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE:
CURRENT POSITION TITLE:
AGENCY EMPLOYED WITH:
______USFS
_____BLM
______OTHER:
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:
______ PERMANENT _____ TEMPORARY
______ VRA
_____ PWD
______ TERM
______ OTHER
IF NOT A CURRENT PERMANENT (CAREER OR CAREER CONDITIONAL) EMPLOYEE ARE
YOU ELIGIBLE TO BE HIRED UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL AUTHORITIES:
______ PERSON WITH DISABILITIES
______ VETERANS READJUSTMENT
______ DISABLED VETERANS W/30% COMPENSABLE DISABILITY
______ VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998
______ FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
______ STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
______ OTHER
______________________________________________________________
Please provide a resume, including certifications in sale preparation and sale
administration, and briefly describe why you will be a quality candidate for this position.
If you would like further information on this position please submit this form by June 26th, 2015
via email to mmmcgiffin@fs.fed.us ,or FAX to 906-474-9122, or send to address below:
Hiawatha National Forest
Attn: Matthew McGiffin
8181 US 2, Rapid River, MI 49878
Hiawatha: “Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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