Forester (Timber Management Assistant W/Grants and Agreements Administration)

Supervisor’s Office

OUTREACH NOTICE

Forester (Timber Management Assistant w/Grants and Agreements Administration)

GS-0460-11

Cibola National Forest

Duty Station at

Sandia Ranger District

Tijeras, New Mexico

The Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office will soon be advertising a Zoned GS-460-11 Timber Management Assistant w/Grants and Agreements Administration. This position is a permanent full time with a primary duty station to be located in Tijeras, NM at the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, Sandia District Office. However, the incumbent’s zone will be the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts. The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform the pool of potential applicants about this employment opportunity and determine interest in the position.

The vacancy announcement for this position will be posted on the U.S. Government’s official website for employment opportunities at www.usajobs.gov. Please respond by February 17, 2015, if you wish to receive notice of the vacancy announcement for this position.

Forest Service employees on the Workforce Reduction and Placement List will receive priority consideration and CTAP/ICTAP candidates will receive the appropriate consideration.

Interested applicants, or those desiring further information, should return the attached interest form to:

Ian Fox, Forestry Program Manager, Cibola NF, 2113 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Or electronically to .

For questions please call Ian Fox at (505) 346-3814.

Description of Duties:
This position is located in a Forest Service Zone where the incumbent has primary responsibility for the planning, implementation, and administration of the timber management program.The incumbent also serves as a GrantsProgram Manager, responsible for all aspects of administering grants and agreements that accomplish and support timber management preparation, implementation and building community capacity centered around restoration.
Forestry- Program Management, Timber Sale Preparation, Timber Sale Administration 65%
Assists Forestry Program Manager in developing annual program of work, prepares project work plans, and develops long-and short-term budget needs. Documents work progress and accountability of the timber program activity. Oversees the timber sale preparation program including determination of best access routes and cutting units, and ensures that logging methods are consistent with transportation and silvicultural plans. Makes recommendations to Forestry Program Manager in determining staffing and equipment needs needed for the sales layout program; oversees cruising and marking of timber; determines sales volume; oversees preparation of timber sale reports and appraisals, and prepares timber sale contracts. Provides for protection of water retention capacity of the soil and reestablishment of the forest growth to prevent or minimize soil erosion damage; adjusts cutting plans to include control measures necessary to prevent the spread of insects or disease and to salvage infested or infected timber. Reviews and/or writes EA/EIS reports for considering all alternatives in the timber sale design. Reviews silvicultural prescriptions to ensure that plans, treatments, and harvesting techniques are compatible with long-range timber management plan. Coordinates with other principal resource assistant to ensure integration of the timber management plan with other resources and activities. Prepares and assembles appraisal packet with assistance from various specialists. Is accountable for the final accuracy of the appraisal packet. Assist the Forestry Program Manager in coordinating and directing preparation of the timber sale contract and related documents, ensuring all mitigation and design feature requirements identified in the approved environmental analysis decision are included in the contracts. Reviews logging plans with operator to ensure understanding of contract requirements. Inspects logging operations to ensure fulfillment of silvicultural objectives, protection of watershed, esthetic, and wildlife values, and that contract stipulations are observed. Investigates reports of improper logging activities such as improper cutting practices, cutting of unauthorized timber, damage to residual stands or reserve trees, and disputed interpretations of contract intent. Negotiates or directs changes in operations as required. Coordinates with other principal assistants and with specialists in other disciplines to ensure coordination and integration of the timber management plan with other resources and with approved land management plans. Assists in overall administration of the unit including safety, information and education, and overall work planning and management.
Grant and Agreement Program Management 35%
Performs a variety of standard tasks related to the administrative aspects of partnership agreements including cooperative agreements, challenge cost-share agreements, participating agreements, collection agreements, and interagency agreements, cooperative fire agreements and memoranda of understandings. Negotiates grants and agreements within the limits of delegated authority, reviews all reimbursement requests for appropriateness, and processes payments. In addition, advises on grant or agreement modifications and extensions of performance period(s) for completion of work submitted by the partner. Develops instruments within the delegated authority, circularizes request for proposals for grants and agreements, disseminates grant and agreement request for proposals; reviews and analyzes responses; and makes or recommends acceptance by higher authority as appropriate. Reviews grants and agreements applications for clarity and completeness. Participates in the establishment of internal administrative and financial controls or systems. Participates in the review of the effect of changes in laws, regulations and policies pertaining to grants and agreements, administration and management, and performance reporting. Assists in the review and evaluation of proposed legislation to determine the extent of probable impact on the Forest Service grants and agreements processes and overall objectives of the unit. Provides interpretation of requirements, regulations and guidelines to management. Stays abreast of changes in policies, regulations, and legal authorities affecting grants and agreements. Participates in annual meetings or workshops for unit agreement coordinators and State personnel for maintaining agreement and grant expertise. Assists in the review of performance reports; interprets specifications, terms, and conditions of grants and agreements; renders decisions related to performance and issue in disputes; approves all official correspondence sent to partners, program personnel, and other interested parties relating to any specific case. Advises on the termination of grants and agreements as the situation dictates.

Forestry, Restoration, and Fire/Fuels Management are key programs in the Zone working closely with other resource areas in the restoration program. Projects are often designed to meet both fuels reduction and forest health objectives. Employees are encouraged to hold line and/or administrative fire qualifications and participate in Rx and wildfire situations.

Forestry program management and budget development, sale administration, and silvicultural expertise are provided to all units by the Forestry Staff. The Cibola National Forest harvests approximately 25,000 CCF/year in the form of sawlogs, pole, post, vigas, and fuelwood. These products are sold through permits, small contracts and a variety of stewardship authorities.

Cibola National Forest: The Forest contains over 1.9 million acres scattered eastward from west central New Mexico into northeastern New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and western Oklahoma. The Forest also surrounds the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

The Cibola National Forest is part of the Southwestern Region. The Cibola Supervisor’s Office employs approximately 75 permanent full-time employees and a variety of seasonal employees. Our forest is comprised of four Ranger Districts and two National Grasslands:

Mt. Taylor Ranger District - Grants, NM
Magdalena Ranger District - Magdalena, NM
Mountainair Ranger District - Mountainair, NM
Sandia Ranger District - Tijeras, NM
Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands - Cheyenne, OK
Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands - Clayton, NM

Like most of the National Forests located in the western states, the Cibola National Forest grew out of lands that originally were known as Forest Reserves. These reserves were first established in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a means of affording protection to natural resources, such as watersheds, trees, and soils. Cibola, pronounced “See’-bo-lah,” is thought to be the original Zuni Indian name for their group of pueblos or tribal lands. Later, the Spanish interpreted the word to mean “buffalo.”

Primary Duty Station: The Sandia Ranger District is located in Tijeras, New Mexico, just east of Albuquerque, the states largest city. The District administers over 100,000 acres of land including the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. This is a busy wildland-urban interface district, which serves the greater Albuquerque community and receives over 2 million visitors per year. The District features the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway, which rises to 10,687’, and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness Area. Visitors can ride a tram from Albuquerque to the Crest, enjoy winter sports at a local ski area and hike year round at lower elevations. The District has a variety of recreation sites and hiking trails, summer interpretive programming and a large volunteer organization. The Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office and the Southwestern Regional Office are located in Albuquerque.

Climate: Elevation at the Sandia Ranger Station is 6300’, surrounded by pinyon-juniper hillsides. Summer days have temperatures from 70-90 degrees, nights 50-60. Winter days can be below freezing or into the 70’s, and nights often drop to low 20’s. Temperatures at the top of the Crest (10,687’) are generally much cooler.

Community: The Village of Tijeras has 475 residents. It is located on historic Route 66, which parallels I-40. The village is within easy commuting distance to housing and jobs in Albuquerque. The adjacent community of Albuquerque has a population of approximately 801,000 residents.

Housing/Economy: Government housing is not available. For those wanting to buy a home, the median value in December 2014 for the Albuquerque area is around $258,900. Many smaller rural communities within commuting distance to the office are also available. Housing on the Westside of Albuquerque, across the Rio Grande, in communities such as Rio Rancho, may provide less expensive housing, but the commute is often difficult.

A cement plant is the largest industry in the Village of Tijeras. A variety of services and service jobs are available around Tijeras: city hall, fire departments, sheriff’s department, a post office, bank and small stores. Most local residents work in Albuquerque. The District is located close to the Cibola Supervisor’s Office, the Southwest Regional Office, and the Albuquerque Service Center. Many other Federal agencies have offices in Albuquerque as well.

Access: Interstate 40 provides easy access to Albuquerque, 10 minutes to the city limits. The Albuquerque Sunport (airport) is about a 40-minute drive from Tijeras. Interstate 25 runs north/south through Albuquerque. Public transportation from Albuquerque to Tijeras is available through New Mexico Park and Ride via shuttle service from the Tijeras and Sedillo Exits off of I-40, within and approximately seven miles east of Tijeras.

Facilities: Tijeras has an elementary and middle school, day care, library, bank, fire and sheriff services. High schools are located in the surrounding communities of San Antonito, Moriarity, and Albuquerque. Albuquerque has the highest number of High schools (approximately 20) both private and public. Hospitals and the University of New Mexico are in Albuquerque. There are restaurants, convenience stores, medical clinics and privately owned campgrounds located nearby. Several churches of most denominations are found within the surrounding communities.

Recreation: A variety of outdoor sports activities are within a 30 minute drive, including hiking, skiing, scenic drives, and mountain biking. Albuquerque has an annual International Hot Air balloon fiesta. There are many cultural opportunities in and around Albuquerque. Santa Fe, New Mexico is located 60 miles north and offers many more cultural and recreational opportunities.

Additional Community Information:

East Mountain Chamber of Commerce: http://www.eastmountainchamber.com

Albuquerque Convention and Visitor Bureau: www.abqcvb.org

USDA Forest Service, Region 3: www.fs.fed.us/r3/

Albuquerque City Data: http://www.city-data.com/city/Albuquerque-New-Mexico.html

CibolaNational Forest Outreach Response Form

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______VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1998

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OUTREACH NOTICE FORM

USDA FOREST SERVICE

SOUTHWEST REGION, R3

Cibola National Forest and Grasslands

Supervisor Office, Albuquerque, NM

Zoned Timber Management Assistant w/ Grant and Agreements Responsibility