Fall 2016/Winter 2017 Newsletter and Questionnaire

The Fall 2016/Winter 2017 Newsletter and Questionnaire was sent out everyone's indicated email address last week.  If you didn't receive it, call Ops.  If you received the email, please use the link to fill out the questionnaire.

GS-8 Aerial Observer Job at RO? Job is being flown as a 5/6/7/8, all jumpers can apply. Respond by 12/18

GS-0404-5/6/7/8 Biological Science Technician

The USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Forest Health Protection is conducting outreach for a biological science technician position in Missoula, MT. The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to inform prospective applicants of this upcoming opportunity for a GS-0404- 5/6/7/8 Biological Science Technician position.  This position is located in the Forest Service Regional Office, Missoula, MT.  To express interest in this position, please complete the Outreach form and return it to Scott Sontag at ssontag@fs.fed.us by the close of business on December 18, 2016. For more information contact Scott Sontag at (406) 329-3323 or ssontag@fs.fed.us.

The Position
This position serves as a technician, with primary responsibilities as an aerial observer for the detection of damaging agents.  The position is part of the Regional State & Private Forestry staff directly supervised by the FHP senior aerial observer.  The incumbent works closely with the supervisor, Aerial Survey program manager, other aerial observers, dispatchers, entomologists, plant pathologists, silviculturists, and other resource specialists.  This position requires extensive overnight travel and work in field locations. The position requires the person to be able to spend extended time in a small fixed-wing aircraft flying at low altitudes. It also requires the person to be familiar with various technologies, including GIS, portable mappers, and data recorders. This position is permanent part-time with an appointment of 18 pay periods.
Major Duties For Target GS-8 Level
Independently completes or supervises the following:
➢ Responsible for working with aerial survey staff to plan, coordinate, and conduct the annual FHP aerial detection survey for the Region
➢ Participates in development and implementation of insect and disease project plans
➢ Performs a variety of complex and recurring duties in support of pest management/natural resources health protection.
➢ Schedules, organizes, and conducts field and laboratory projects for detecting, identifying and evaluating insect pests and diseases.
➢ Trains and may supervise employees.
➢ Compiles and summarizes data and drafts parts of reports.
➢ Operates computer programs and geospatial technologies, such as ArcMap, GPS, GIS.
➢ Provides technical support to staff specialists in use of current and promising information technologies.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position please fill out the response form included in this outreach and email to ssontag@fs.fed.us no later than close of business December 18, 2016.

This position will be hired through a Single Vacancy Announcement number on www.usajobs.gov. Applicants who respond to this outreach will be notified when the position is advertised.  

NORTHERN REGION

OUTREACH NOTICE

POSITION TITLE: Bio. Science Technician

UNIT:  Forest Health Protection, Missoula, MT

NAME:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
MAILING ADDRESS:
STREET ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE:
TELEPHONE:

Are you currently a Federal Employee?  Yes ☐              No ☐

If you are a Federal Employee, please fill in below:

Agency:	☐  USFS	☐  BLM	☐  Other
Type of Appointment:	☐  Permanent	☐  Temporary	☐  Term	☐  VRA	☐  PWD	☐  Other
Region:
Forest:
District:
Series:
Grade:
Position Title:

If you are not currently a permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities?
Person with Disabilities (A non-competitive hiring authority for hiring persons with physical or mental disabilities certified by the Veterans Administration or a State Rehabilitation Agency as eligible. Initial appointment is into an excepted-service term or temporary position. Upon successful completion of a 2 year trainee period, non-competitive conversion to a career or career-conditional permanent appointment is possible. (Schedule A Authority)	☐
Veterans Recruitment Act (A non-competitive authority for hiring disabled veterans, veterans who served in a declared war, or in a campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or awarded a Armed Forces Service Medal, and separated from active duty in the past 3 yrs. Initial appointment (up to the GS-11 level) is to a VRA excepted-service appointment with the possibility of non-competitive conversion to a career permanent position after a 2 year period.)	☐

Disabled Veterans W/30% Compensable Disability (A non-competitive authority for hiring (1) disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a 30% or more disability rating or (2) disabled veterans rated by the Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Initial appointments are time-limited, lasting more than 60 days (there is no grade restriction). However, the appointee can be non-competitively converted to permanent status at any time during the time-limited appointment.)	☐
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (Allows eligible veterans to apply for merit promotion vacancies otherwise not open to external candidates without career status. Veterans are not accorded preference as a factor; if selected the VEOA eligible is placed in a career or career-conditional appointment.)	☐
Former Peace Corps Volunteer (A non-competitive authority for hiring former Peace Corp volunteers who have satisfactorily completed 3 years of continuous service into career or career-conditional permanent positions. Former volunteers are eligible up to 3 years after their separation from the Peace Corp.)	☐
Pathways Recent Graduate Program (A competitive authority for hiring recent graduates from qualifying educational institutions. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who have up to six years after degree completion to apply).	☐
Other (Identify)	☐

Provide a brief summary of your qualifications for this position:

Return your completed Outreach Notice form via email to Scott Sontag by December 18, 2016
Email:	ssontag@fs.fed.us
Subject:	Bio. Science Technician

Respondents to this outreach will be informed by email when the vacancy is announced on www.usajobs.gov.

2017 Region 1 Fire Hire Timeline and Process

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r1/jobs/?cid=fseprd476740
Here it is!
Follow the link to get all the information on this year's Region 1 Fire Hire process. Make sure and get your application's submitted before the deadline of November, 15th 2016.

Temporary Promotions

90 Day Promotions to the GS 10/11 Smokejumper Foreman Position have been awarded to Charles Savoia (Training) and Dan Cottrell (Operations). Charles's promotion will start on October 30, and Dan's will commence on January 22nd.

90 day Promotions to the GS 9 Smokejumper Assistant Foreman Position have been awarded to Court Wallace (Loft) and Sam Pfahler (Fuels/Projects). Effective dates are the same as above.

Congratulations to each of these individuals and many thanks to all who applied and made the candidate pool a strong one!

Latest on wildland Firefighter Drug Testing!

See the column to the right of "Related Links" for: Drug Testing & WildLand Firefighter Implementation FAQs

Clean out the Dorm locker Room!

Please clean out the locker room in the Dorms ASAP!  Frank has deemed room unfit for use due to unsanitary conditions.  Any loose items (towels, shoes, etc.) will thrown out on Thursday October 13th

GS-9/11 Smokejumper Foreman/Assistant Foreman Promotion date EXTENDED!

Due to a busy week of loft and fuels related activity, the deadline for applying for temporary promotions to the GS 9/11 Smokejumper Foreman and Assistant Foreman has been extended to close of business- Monday, October 3. If you are interested in applying please get a 1 page resume to Tory Kendrick, either electronically or hard copy.

2016 MISSOULA T Party

 

 

 

 

S-290 Teaching Opportunity

The Wildland Firefighter  Apprentice Academy is looking for people to teach S-290 in Sacramento this fall. The commitment would be one week and classes would take place in late October, as well as February and March. Prerequisites; instructors would need to have taken S-290 and M-410 or have previous instructor experience. Contact Dan Cottrell with interest and availability: 406-329-4897

Temporary Promotions/ Detail

 We will be filling temporary promotions this fall, both at the GS 10/11 and GS 9 level. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to apply. Please submit a resume which includes your relevant experience as well as your fireline red card qualifications. Deadline for applying is Friday, September 30th 2016. If you are interested please send a resume via email to Tory Kendrick, tkendrick@fs.fed.us.