Outreach

The Hiawatha National Forest is outreaching and filling 1 Initial Attack Dispatcher, GS-5/6/7 Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch). This is a permanent seasonal position with a tour of 18 guaranteed pay periods. The position is located at the Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor’s Office. FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required.

This position will be filled using the Nationwide Open Continuous Recruitment Announcement:

OCR14-462-IADISP-5/6/7G

OCR14-462-IADISP-5/6/7DP

The duty station for this position is Gladstone, Michigan. Please choose this location in USA Jobs when applying for this position.

Applicants for this position should apply now on the OPEN CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT through USAJOBS at: http://www.usajobs.gov/ using the vacancy announcements listed above. A Referral List for this position will be requested by the selecting official on April 10, 2014.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

This position is categorized as an Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP) in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standards and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the IFPM Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy.

NWCG Incident Management Qualifications:

Primary Core Requirement: Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC) (currency not required)

Secondary Core Requirement: 90 days of prior wildland firefighting operations experience

About The Position

This position serves as an Initial Attack Dispatcher at a moderately complex dispatch center. The primary responsibilities are that of fire dispatcher in support of fire suppression activities. The position also supports preparedness activities for units the center serves. The center provides preparedness and suppression support to Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs units throughout the Upper Peninsula. The center also employs one Dispatch Center Manager.

The position has no special physical demands and is in an office setting. The incumbent must be able to work overtime, various duty schedules, unscheduled days and hours, nights, weekends and holidays. Due to the nature of the service the dispatch center renders, the office setting is one that produces and maintains a high-stress environment. Being able to multi-task effectively in this type of environment is a highly desirable trait.

Duty Station

Supervisor’s Office: The Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor’s Office is office is located in Gladstone, Michigan.

The Forest: Hiawatha National Forest lies in the central and eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Approximately 1 million acres fall within the Forest boundary.

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.

Other highlights of the Forest include:

· The Forest’s Available Sale Quantity (ASQ is 109mmbf, as determined in its 2006 Forest Plan. In recent years our cut has been about 45 mmbf.

· Six lighthouses located on NF land, including Point Iroquois Lightstation, which is open to visitors.

· Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway

· Joint operation of the USFS/National Park, Service Visitor Center in Munising. The facility sees over 60,000 visitors each year, with most visitations concentrated in July and August.

Community Information

Gladstone: Gladstone is located on the picturesque shores of Little Bay de Noc in Delta County (37,200 residence). Our location offers our residents and visitors numerous year-round activities. Boasting a population of just over 5,000, we have the small town quality and hospitality that the Upper Peninsula is known for. The City offers its own city-owned/operated utilities and campground. The Gladstone school system has several elementary, one middle and one high school.

Gladstone’s economy is focused around service and timber industry business. Primary employers include federal/state/local government, a New Page Paper Company operation, and numerous small businesses that support the local fisheries and winter sports.

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. Escanaba 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, and located about 60 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. The City of Escanaba Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational activities and leagues, and the Delta YMCA offers a variety of recreational activities and classes promoting family wellness.

Surrounding Area Escanaba (population 18,500) is located on Bay de Noc, adjacent to Gladstone. Commuters and shoppers travel between the two communities. Escanaba offers schools, parks, trails, recreation, a summer concert series, a harbor, health care/hospital and other amenities.

Marquette (population 19,700) is the Upper Peninsula’s largest city. Located on Lake Superior about 65 miles north of Escanaba, it is a handy location in which to find additional options including medical services, shopping, art, culture, entertainment, restaurants and more. 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 Escanaba and the surrounding area visit the following the websites:

City of Gladstone

City of Escanaba

Delta County

Delta County Chamber of Commerce

Bays de Noc Convention & Visitors Bureau

Contacts

For more information about this opportunity, feel free to contact us!

Forest Fire Management Officer

Steve Nurse 906.428.5822

HiawathA:“Your Great Lakes National Forest” 1