OUTREACH NOTICE
Region 10, Tongass National Forest
Forest Planner
NTE 120 days opportunity
GS-0301or 0401-12, PFT
Ketchikan, Petersburg, or Sitka, Alaska
Note: other duty stations may be considered within the Tongass NF
The Tongass National Forest is currently outreaching for qualified individuals for a permanent, full-time, Forest
Planner GS-301 or 0401-12. This is a Supervisor’s Office position located in the Wildlife, Subsistence and
Planning staff area in Ketchikan, Petersburg, or Sitka, Alaska. If you are interested in being considered for this
position, complete the outreach response form located below. Send the form to tschenck@fs.fed.us by close of
business June 1, 2012. For additional information on this position, please contact Ted Schenck, Wildlife,
Subsistence and Planning Staff Officer at (907) 228-6303.
Position Title: Forest Planner, GS-301or 0401-12
Tour of Duty: Permanent, Full-Time
Duty Station: Ketchikan, Petersburg, or Sitka, Alaska
Note: other duty stations may be considered within the Tongass NF
(Selecting official will determine final duty location.)
Tongass National Forest Information:
The Tongass National Forest was established in 1902 and covers nearly 17 million acres in Southeast Alaska. It
is the nation’s largest National Forest. The Tongass stretches nearly 500 miles from its boundary with the
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in the north, to the Canadian boundary in the south. It is a forest
of islands including the Alexander Archipelago, and the mainland. The unique forest landscapes of the Tongass
vary dramatically in topographic relief and include a mosaic of forest, peat lands, steep rocky areas, glaciated
mountains and other non-forested lands.
Alaska’s magnificent scenery, vast forests, and abundant natural resources match the size of the forest. The
Tongass makes up ninety percent of Southeast Alaska and is a land of glaciers, mountains, waterways and
thousands of islands separated by straits and channels. The islands and mainland create 11,000 miles of
shoreline where regal mountains rise from the tidewater to overlook a mostly undeveloped and isolated
landscape. The geography of the Alexander Archipelago presents a transportation challenge and most of the
Tongass is isolated from the continental road system. You will find yourself boating or flying in a floatplane to
most field locations. Visitors arrive by cruise ship, ferry or commercial airplane.
The Forest has many brown, black, and fish viewing areas, nearly 600 miles of trails, approximately 11,000
miles of saltwater shoreline, 45,000 miles of streams, 20,000 lakes and ponds, and more than 1,000 islands. It
includes Prince of Wales Island, the third largest island in the United States and two national monuments—
Admiralty Island and Misty Fiords.
The Tongass’s complicated, and sometimes sensitive, mission of multiple-use resource management often puts
it in the national spotlight. Ten District Rangers, seven Forest Staff Officers and the Forest Supervisor and
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Deputy are members of a dynamic professional leadership team that is dedicated to the ecological sustainability
of our public lands in Southeast Alaska. The Supervisors Office is located in Ketchikan.
The Tongass Forest Plan Amendment Record of Decision (ROD) was signed by the Regional Forester in
January 2008. The Forest Service received 15 appeals and comments during the appeal period from several
entities which was upheld in August 2008. There are currently three outstanding lawsuits on the Forest Plan.
The Amended Forest Plan complies with an August 2005 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that claimed
inadequacies in the NEPA procedures associated with the 1997 Forest Plan Record of Decision and Final EIS.
The Amended Forest Plan also responds to the findings of the recently completed Tongass Forest Plan 5-Year
Review. The Forest Plan incorporates an Adaptive Management framework, which involves a continuous
process of action-based planning, monitoring, research, evaluation, and adjustment with the objective of
improving implementation and achieving desired management goals and objectives.
TNF Public Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/
TNF Internal Website: http://fsweb.stikine.r10.fs.fed.us/
Description of Position Duties:
This position serves as Forest Planner on the Tongass with responsibility for directing the development and
implementation, and for providing program development, operation, coordination, and evaluation. The
incumbent is responsible for leadership in environmental assessment, NEPA compliance, public access to, and
involvement in the planning process, planning coordination with local, State, other Federal, and Indian Tribal
planning entities, special studies and planning activities directed by Congress or administrative direction.
We anticipate advertising this position in the near future.
Duty Station Information:
(to access links below ‘unlock’ document via the forms toolbar)
Ketchikan: The community of Ketchikan is a close-knit community of about
15,000 and makes its living from the surrounding forest, from the abundant fish
runs, from the thousands of visitors that flock north each year and other
entrepreneurial ventures. Ketchikan has a large recreation center and a public
pool located at the high school for public recreation. The community has
numerous churches, several restaurants, and galleries and is home to several
fine art festivals. There are several elementary schools in the area, a high
school and college providing a wide range of educational opportunities.
Ketchikan is known as “The First City” as it’s the gateway to Alaska and is home of the Blueberry Arts Festival
and other cultural events throughout the year. Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness is only a short
flight or boat ride from town and offers spectacular recreational opportunities. There are three campgrounds
within a short ride from town and numerous hiking trail opportunities from saltwater to alpine areas.
For more information about Ketchikan click on the following links:
http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/
http://www.ketchikan.com/
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Petersburg: Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island, north of Ketchikan and south of Juneau in Southeast
Alaska. Mitkof Island is approximately 24 miles long and 135,000 acres in size. The town population is
approximately 3300 and is made up mostly of people employed in the fishing industry, logging, retail
businesses, city, state, native, and federal agencies. Situated adjacent to Frederick Sound, Petersburg faces the
Wrangell Narrow and Kupreanof Island. The Stikine-LeConte Wilderness Area and Petersburg Creek-Duncan
Sale Chuck wilderness are nearby. Local stores include two grocery/hardware stores, one drug store, various,
“boutique” type, clothing stores with limited selection, book store, auto repair
shops, video rental outlet, a travel agency, and several specialty shops. There are
seven eating establishments that include health food, oriental, American, and
Italian pizza and hamburger. There are two local radio stations (one is public
radio), and a cable television service in town. We have a small medical center, 4
doctors, a chiropractor and two dental offices.
For more information about Petersburg click on the following links:
http://www.petersburg.org/
http://www.petersburgalaska.com/
Sitka: With views of island-studded waters and stately spruce forests reaching to
the water’s edge, Sitka is considered Alaska’s most beautiful seaside town. Sitka
is located on the west coast of Baranof Island fronting the Pacific Ocean, on Sitka
Sound. A dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, rises 3,200 feet above the
community. It is 95 air miles southwest of Juneau, and 185 miles northwest of
Ketchikan. Seattle, Washington lies 862 air miles to the south. January
temperatures range from 23 to 35; summers vary from 48 to 61. Average annual
precipitation is 96 inches, including 39 inches of snowfall. Sitka has a wide
variety of unique restaurants and eateries including McDonalds and Subway. Sitka abounds with year-round
wildlife viewing opportunities. There are also numerous opportunities for recreational activities including
fishing, hiking & kayaking. Sitka has a wide selection of professional services in their community. From bank
offices, publishers, realtors travel agents to caterers and Laundromats.
For more information about Sitka click on the following links:
http://www.sitka.com/
http://www.sitka.org/
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested must meet the qualification requirements
for the GS-0301 or GS-401 series that is covered by the Professional and Scientific positions standards. The
OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at any federal personnel office OR on the
Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.htm.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the federal service is required.
Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled, and which has
equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of
the position.
For information on the position:
Contact Person: Ted Schenck
Phone Number: (907)228-6303
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Email address: tschenck@fs.fed.us
If you are interested in this position, please fill out the attached form below and send it to tschenck@fs.fed.us by
close of business June 1, 2012.
Thank you for your interest in this position!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
OUTREACH NOTICE FORM
Tongass National Forest
NTE 120 days opportunity
Forest Planner, GS-301or 0401-12, PFT
Ketchikan, Petersburg, or Sitka, Alaska
Respond By: June 1, 2012
Position Title/Series/Grade:
Duty Station:
Forest Planner, GS-301or 0401-12
Ketchikan, Petersburg, or Sitka, Alaska
Note: other duty stations may be considered within the Tongass NF
The Tongass National Forest is seeking qualified individuals for a Forest Planner, GS-301or 0401-12, PFT position. Please
complete and submit the outreach notice form located below to tschenck@fs.fed.us by COB June 1, 2012.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Name:
Date:
Address:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Duty Location Preference:
Ketchikan
Petersburg
Sitka
Current title/series/grade/location:
(e.g., Career, Career-Conditional, Excepted-ANILCA, Excepted VRA, etc)
Are you currently a Federal employee:
YES
NO
Briefly describe why you will be a quality candidate for this position (if additional space is needed, please attach below).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.