Resource Assistant GS-1101-05/06
WEST ZONE- HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST
October 29, 2012
Outreach Notice
The Hiawatha National Forest will soon be
advertising to fill the West Zone Resource
Assistant fulltime position. This will be a GS-11015/6 position. The duty station for this position is
located at the Rapid River/Manistique Ranger
District Office in Rapid River, Michigan. The
annual salary range is $30,577 to $39,748.
Contact Information
Grand Island’s soaring cliffs, sand
beaches and lighthouses are among
the Forest’s signature features.
Interested candidates are encouraged to reply to
this outreach by November 23, 2012. If you are interested in being considered, please
complete the Outreach Notice Reply form at the end of this document and send to Tracy
Anderson at tlanderson@fs.fed.us or at 8181 US Hwy 2, Rapid River, MI 49878. Also,
please contact Tracy if more information is needed at 906-474-6442 x131.
About The Position
Provides administrative review of the timber sale packages and assists in getting sales
mailed out for advertisement. Participates in timber sale bid openings for oral and
sealed bid offerings. Monitors the districts timber sales business management resource
section to ensure all financial management features of the timber sale contracts are
adhered to and that compliance is satisfactory throughout the life of the sale. Ensures
that the timber sale accounting system is applied in a manner to ensure accuracy and
proper procedures. Reviews timber sale contract and audits timber sale statements of
account to ensure that documents comply with appraisal, current direction, procedures,
laws, and regulations. Ensures correct and current rates are used for all species. Audits,
detects, and makes corrections of errors through the timber accounting system.
Analyzes contracts and pertinent records to verify that transfer is allowed when
purchasers request transfer of stewardship credits. Maintains the official timber sale
folders at the district office and sends copies of documentation to the supervisor’s office
for the Contracting Officer. Position will be supervised by the Westside Timber
Management Assistant.
HiawathA:“Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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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.
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.
HiawathA:“Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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Community Information
Rapid River is a small unincorporated town located at the northern end of Little Bay de
Noc. The town has a few convenience stores, restaurants, bank, etc.
Gladstone (population 5,000) is located 5 miles north of Escanaba (population 13,000).
Commuters and shoppers travel between the two communities. Gladstone offers
schools, parks, trails, recreation, a summer concert series, a harbor, and other amenities.
Escanaba has a population of around 13,140 (2000 census). Escanaba is the third-largest
city in the Upper Peninsula after Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie and is the county seat of
Delta County. There are many restaurants, shopping amenities, churches, etc. located in
and around Escanaba. Escanaba is also home to Bay de Noc Community College. There
is a modern airport that provides both corporate and general aviation services.
Houses for sale fluctuate based on the local market. A number of houses in the Delta
County area are available from $80,000 on up. Generally, there are few houses for rent
and apartments in the commuting area range from $325 per month and up.
Delta County Airport serves the city with daily flights to larger airports. Major
transportation routes in Escanaba include US Highway 2, US Highway 41, and M-35.
Delta Area Transit Authority operates a bus system throughout Delta County.
Eight public school districts and two private schools operate in Delta County. For more
information on K-12 schools, click here. Post-secondary educational institutions include
Bay de Noc Community College, located in Escanaba, and Northern Michigan University,
located about 65 miles away in Marquette, MI.
Cultural opportunities in Escanaba include the William Bonifas Fine Art Center, the
Waterfront Art Festival, Escanaba City Band, Players de Noc, and Bay de Noc Choral
Society, and many smaller arts organizations, art galleries, and musical performing
groups.
Delta County: Delta County is located in the central Upper Peninsula and lies on the
shore of Lake Michigan. The county prides itself in having more fresh water shoreline
than any other county in the nation. The county includes of a mix of private and public
lands including Escanaba State Forest and Hiawatha National Forest.
If you’re looking for outdoor recreation opportunities, Delta County has much to offer.
Residents enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits including sea kayaking, canoeing,
camping, mountain biking, hiking, trail running, cross-country skiing, ice fishing,
snowshoeing and more. Recreation oriented groups include the Bays de Noc Great Lakes
The City of Escanaba Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational activities and
HiawathA:“Your Great Lakes National Forest”
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leagues, and the Delta YMCA offers a variety of recreational activities and classes
promoting family wellness.
Surrounding Area
Marquette (population
19,700) is the Upper
Peninsula’s largest city.
Located on Lake Superior
Bay College, a community college, is located in
about 6o miles north of
Escanaba. Bay provides a range of online and classroom
Gladstone, it is a handy
learning opportunities including AA, AS, and AAS degrees
and certificates.
location in which to find
additional options including
Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, a
medical services, shopping,
vibrant, progressive community with outstanding
art, culture, entertainment,
educational, entertainment and recreation
restaurants and more.
opportunities.
Marquette is home to
Northern Michigan
University and Marquette General Hospital, numerous clinics, several malls and large
chain stores, a food coop, theaters, and a YMCA.
Websites For more Information about Rapid River and the surrounding area, visit the
following the websites:
City of Escanaba
City of Gladstone
Delta County
Delta County Chamber of
Commerce
Bays de Noc Convention &
Visitors Bureau
Point Iroquois Lighthouse offers visitors a wonderful
opportunity to explore the Upper Peninsula’s Great Lakes
maritime history. The facility is located on the Forest’s east
unit near Brimley.
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