Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Duty stations include:

Washburn, WI

OUTREACH CLOSES January 15, 2016

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest will soon be advertising a Forestry Technician -Timber Stand Improvement. (TSI) target grade of GS-06 at the Washburn Ranger District. The position is permanent part-time (18-8). The duty station will be Washburn, WI. The purpose of this outreach notice is to inform prospective applicants of this opportunity and to determine the potential applicant pool.

The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for the position described below and to establish appropriate recruitment methods and areas of consideration (e.g. agency-wide, government-wide, or DEMO) for the vacancy announcement. Responses received will also help us determine if we need to consider a career ladder opportunity.

WHY THE CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET?

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is the one and only national forest in Wisconsin. At more than 1.5 million acres, the Forest stretches across northern Wisconsin and provides the scenic and economic foundation for the Northwoods communitites. Glacier-carved hills and lowlands, extensive hardwood forests, and an abundance of rivers and streams make up the Forest. Abundant wildlife and numerous recreation opportunities draw visitors to the area.

The Forest is engaged in exciting opportunities and management challenges. Current management emphasis includes maintaining and expanding our large partnership network, defining a sustainable recreation program, and continuing to grow the largest timber program in Region 9 through the use of new tools (e.g., stewardship and good neighbor authorites).

ABOUT THE POSITION:

This position is located on a Forest Service Ranger District with responsibility for accomplishing a variety of reforestation and timber stand improvement duties.

Major Duties Include:

Assisting in the preparation of project work plans for timber stand improvement and reforestation activities.

Conducting reforestation and stocking surveys of recently planted tracts. Making recommendations for areas requiring remedial action. Determining the need for site preparation, plantation conditions, and the survival rate of seedlings. Performing surveys to determine stand conditions and the need for precommercial thinning and/or treatment. Traversing project areas, determines acreage, and drafting maps of those areas. Conducting on-site observation of contractor or agency crews engaged in timber stand improvement or reforestation efforts, including the inspection of silvicultural contract work (e.g., genetic tree improvement, planting, thinning, seeding, site preparation) for compliance with contract. Correcting minor problems in direct contact with Contracting Officers Representative (COR). May act as COR on various silvicultural contracts.

The work schedule is expected to be MaxiFlex.

Travel around Forest may occur; occasionally overnight travel can be necessary.

Transfer of Station benefits: Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses are authorized for eligible applicants. In addition, the following relocation benefits are available: house hunting trip, temporary quarters, and the use of relocation services company.

The announcement will be posted on the USAJOBS website www.usajobs.gov when available.

About the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is located in Wisconsin's “Northwoods,” covering over a million and a half acres of forested lands in the north central section of the “Badger” state. The Forest operates out of nine District Offices and a Supervisor’s Office in Rhinelander, Wis.

Where is the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?

The forest is comprised of more than 1.5 million acres in 11 northern Wisconsin counties and 65 townships. It is part of the treaty-ceded areas for 11 Indian tribes that retain hunting, fishing and gathering rights on national forest lands. Other lands within the Forest’s boundaries include more than 1,200 separate parcels owned by the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, the State of Wisconsin, industrial forest land and privately owned properties. Interspersed around National Forest lands are more than 2.5 million acres of publicly owned properties and state and county and forests. This mix of public and private lands offers many opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

The Chequamegon portion of the Forest includes about 858,400 acres in Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. In the east, the Nicolet side covers about 661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties.

The two Forests, established in the early 1930s, were combined into the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in February 1998.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest stretches across northern Wisconsin and provides the scenic and economic foundation for the Northwoods communities. Glacier-carved hills and lowlands, extensive hardwood forests, and diverse wetlands create topographic and vegetative diversity across the Forest. With more than 2,000 lakes and 2,000 miles of rivers and streams, the Forest is a destination for water-based recreation. Wildlife is abundant on the Forest and visitors are able to hunt large and small game in an unconfined setting

The Forest’s fact sheet has some additional details.

Comfortable summers and outstanding fall colors invite visitors to enjoy the sanctuary and scenic beauty of the Forest. Winter brings periods of snow and opportunities to explore the depths of the Forest’s winter wonderland. Learn more about Washburn’s weather.

Community Descriptions:

Washburn, WI

Surrounded by forest, the city of Washburn nestles on the shore of Lake Superior's historic Chequamegon Bay in northernmost Wisconsin. With unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities, a vibrant cultural life, and a progressive atmosphere, Washburn is great place to live, a rewarding place to do business, and a spectacular place to visit.

Washburn hosts a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts. A full menu of streams, inland lakes, and Lake Superior provides a banquet of choices to those that love fishing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Hundreds of miles of trails for lovers of the outdoors are also available. Washburn's proximity to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore allows for a quick getaway to one of our nation's most pristine treasures.

Washburn is nestled between Ashland to the south and Bayfield to the north. Ashland is the home of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, and Bayfield is the jumping off point for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is a collaboratively managed Forest Service facility within the Washburn Ranger District and features a regional History Center and Archives, gift shop, art gallery, theater, and a five-story observation tower offering a panoramic view of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands Region.

Washburn is served by the K-12 Washburn School District. Total student enrollment is approximately 550 students.

Learn more about Washburn and nearby communities at:

http://cityofwashburn.org http://www.visitashland.com/ http://bayfield.org/

Interested applicants may fill out the attached voluntary outreach response form and return to Dan Hinson at by January 15, 2016. You may call Dan at 715-373-2667 x232 for additional information about the positions.


Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

GS-0462-05/06 , Forestry Technician (Timber Stand Improvement)

Duty stations include:

Washburn, WI

OUTREACH NOTICE

APPLICANT REPLY FORM

If you are interested in these positions, please complete and submit this form to by January 15, 2016. This will help us determine the level of interest of prospective candidates and establish the area of consideration. Thanks for your cooperation.

Title of Outreach Position: Forestry Technician (TSI)

Preferred Duty Location:

Name:

Email Address:

Mailing Address:

Telephone Number: Work: Home:

Agency Employed with: USFS Other (Please list):

Type of appointment currently under (please check one):

Permanent Temporary Term Other (Please list):

Current Region/Forest/District:

Current Series and Grade:

Current PositionTitle:

If not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities:

Persons with Disabilities

Veterans Recruitment Appointment

Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability

Veteran Employment Opportunities Act of 1998

Former Peace Corp Volunteer

Student Career Experience Program

Other (explain):

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR VACANCIES