Job Detail
Natural Resource Specialist (Utility Arborist / Utility Forester / Transmission Utility Forester)
Location: Vancouver, WA
Salary: $70,853 - $110,404 per year
Must apply through USAjobs.gov (USAJOBS - Job Announcement)
Summary
This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, as part of the Vegetation Management and Forestry (TFBV) organization, of Internal Operations (TFB), Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T).
A successful candidate in the Natural Resources Specialist position will serve as Natural Resource Specialist responsible for planning and carrying out project management activities in support of right-of-way and access road projects within the assigned region.
THIS JOB IS OPEN TO
Clarification from the agency
This is a Direct Hire Public Notice.
Duties
Hiring incentives may be available to including UP TO 25% of annualized salary may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
As a Natural Resource Specialist, you will:
- Plan and carry out vegetation management activities in support of Rights-of-Way (ROW) and access road projects.
- Develop and implement short-term and long-term regional (multi-district) management plan for vegetation control.
- Develop and prioritize annual, out-year, and special project schedules, budgets, and requests or the vegetation management and access road programs, coordinating planned activities with affected departments (e.g., Transmission Line Maintenance, Realty, Environment, Contracting) to identify and resolve critical issues, avoid regional and system conflicts, and insure project success.
- Prepare site-specific vegetation management prescriptions and related Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) checklists (or ROW management plans) consistent with guidance provided by the BPA Transmission System Vegetation Management Program FEIS and related National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
- Serve as a project manager on ROW and access road projects.
- Review transmission line corridors and construction projects for compliance with line maintenance standards for ROW clearing, access road erosion control, and structure site vegetation.
- Serve as a Contracting Office Representative (COR) and monitor performance and compliance with contract specifications.
- Develop and maintain regional (multi-district) vegetation management and access road program data that includes annual work plans, project tracking spreadsheets, environmental analysis checklists, statements of work, prescription sheets, herbicide forms, access road request forms, and an access road data dictionary in a manner consistent with the reporting requirements of the BPA system as a whole including all regions.
- Serve as a technical expert in vegetation and ROW management to various internal groups, outside agencies, and the public as issues arise within the region including negotiation, coordination with county-weed boards and other entities (e.g., Army Corps, Forest Service, state departments of natural resources, Bureau of Reclamation, etc.).
- Respond to inquiries, from a broad range of sources, on sensitive issues involving vegetation control methods, herbicide application, protection of cultural resources and other related issues.
- Initiate, negotiate, and maintain cooperative agreements with public and private landowners (including dispute resolutions), other agencies such as the USFWS, or Native American Tribes regarding ROW management and maintenance practices.
Executive Order (EO) 14043 requires Federal employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work), subject to such exceptions as required by law. At this time, EO 14043 is subject to a preliminary nationwide injunction. Although this injunction may ultimately be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action at this time to implement or enforce EO 14043's requirement that employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, as Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine, the selectee(s) for this position will be required to submit information about his/her vaccination status.
Providing a knowing and willful false statement on either DOE's COVID-19 Vaccination Form prior to starting or when providing proof of vaccination in DOE's vaccination tracking system once onboard is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001) and will result in termination from Federal service.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.
- Incumbent must obtain and maintain a current Driver?s License.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
1.Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
or
2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the meeting the Basic Requirements above, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:
GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience with a wide range of arboriculture methodology, including tree biology, urban forestry, tree risk management, vegetation, and safe work practices to serve as a project manager for vegetation and right-of-way programs.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
or
Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).
GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience as a project manager utilizing a wide variety of vegetation management techniques to administer contracts for right-of-way vegetation management programs.
There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
Education
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".
Additional information
EEO Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors
We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Natural Resources Specialist positions in the 0401 series. Under the DHA, all applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement, at the grade level they are applying, will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.
If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement to be referred for consideration.
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Environmental Engineering
- Forest Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Planning and Evaluating
- Stakeholder Management
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (05/13/2022) of this announcement.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11479353
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
- Your RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
- Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
- Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
The application process is as follows:
- You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
- To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
- You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Agency contact information
Jose Deguzman
Phone
503-230-3230
Email
[email protected]
Address
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208
US
Learn more about this agency
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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