Natural Resource Specialist, GS-0401-5/7/9 (31467)

Cottage Grove, ORNorthwestern Division (NWD) - Portland District31467
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Announcement Type

TARP - Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

USACE Organization

Northwestern Division (NWD) - Portland District

Locations (City, State)

Cottage Grove, OR

Position Overview/Duties

As a Natural Resource Specialist in Portland District's Willamette Valley Project, you will work in recreation, natural resources, and wildlife habitat management. Our team is responsible for 14 day-use areas, four campgrounds, six boat ramps and multiple dispersed areas across 13 reservoirs.

Duty location: Cottage Grove Lake, Oregon.

Key Duties:

  • Plan and execute programs in recreation/natural resource management, visitor assistance, park administration, public safety, and interpretive services.
  • Develop, implement, and administer a variety of natural resources conservation, recreation, and environmental plans, programs, and procedures.
  • Educate the visiting public on project purposes, conditions, policies and regulations.
  • Provide project information to local, state and federal agencies and the visiting public through brochures, bulletin boards, news releases, telephone calls, and other written and oral correspondence.
  • Patrol project lands and waters to prevent unauthorized use, trespass, unsafe activities and destruction of project land, water, facilities, and other environmental resources, and enforce T36 CFR rules and regulations through the issuance of verbal/written warnings and citations.
  • Inspect facilities, including playgrounds, restrooms, trails, campground areas, boat ramps, picnic areas, swim beaches, signs and wayside exhibits.
  • Patrol project lands and waters to prevent unauthorized use, trespass, destruction of project land, water, facilities, and other environmental resources.
  • Conduct public relations services for the public and special groups.
  • Participate in the development of various planning documents, including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of natural resources.
  • Participate in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of natural and cultural resources.

Why move to the Willamette Valley? Cottage Grove Lake is in the heart of the Willamette Valley in Western Oregon and nestled between the Coast and Cascade Mountain Range. If you're searching for beauty, look no further! This area is known for its covered bridges, wine, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural experiences. In addition to being adorable, it's also affordable. Housing options are available in several nearby communities or in the larger cities of Eugene or Springfield. https://www.willamettevalley.org/

Other Conditions and Requirements

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This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in competitive service.

Minimum Education Requirement: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/general-natural-resources-management-and-biological-sciences-series-0401/

In order to qualify, you must meet the individual occupational requirements and the experience and education requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts may be requested at a later date.

Individual Occupational Requirement:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the minimum qualification requirements listed below:

Minimum Qualifications at the GS-05:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes monitoring visitor activity and enforcing property rules and regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

-OR- Education: Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours of related course work in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.

Minimum Qualification at GS-07:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Patrolling project lands and waters to prevent unauthorized use, trespassing, and destruction of property; AND 2) Participating in natural resources activities, such as fish/wildlife management, forestry/vegetation management, soil/water conservation, or fire protection. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

-OR- Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

-OR- Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that qualifies for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing — Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Minimum Qualification at the GS-09:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing natural resource management actions involving fish/wildlife, forestry/vegetation management, range land/soil conservation, water/fire protection, or an agricultural lease program. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

-OR- Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

-OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Other Conditions and Requirements:

  • Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
  • Incumbent must wear the prescribed uniform (as identified in regulation ER 1130-2-5500) and appropriate safety gear and protective clothing.
  • Incumbent must possess or have the ability to acquire a state driver's license and must possess or have the ability to obtain a Corps of Engineers boat operator's license.
  • Pre-Employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health & ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • Incumbent must meet the Park Ranger training requirements as identified in the Career Development Guide for Civil Works Natural Resources Management Team Members.
  • Incumbent is required to have, or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire, a valid CPR certificate and "Responding to Emergencies" (or equivalent) certificate. Must have the ability to withstand extreme stress during situations when human life may be at stake.
  • Ability to work nights and/or weekends depending on the needs of the project to which the employee is assigned.
  • Possession of/or the ability to acquire Citation Authority within one year of hire.
  • Occasional travel is required.
  • Incumbent must have the ability to lift and carry up to 44 lbs., traverse rough or uneven terrain, walk and stand for extended periods of time and is required to work in adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, etc.). There is a danger of drowning while working around swift moving water; and exposure to insect and snake bites, pesticides and herbicides, and raw sewage.
  • This position is designated as having regular and recurring contact with children under the age of 18 and is subject to requirements of DoDI 1402.05 and AR 600-78.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • Management may make selections at any grade level. Promotion to the next grade will be at management's discretion following completion of time-in-grade requirements, training, fully successful performance, and acquired and demonstrated experience.
  • Advanced-in-Hire, Enhanced Leave Accrual, Student Loan Repayment, or Recruitment/Relocation incentive MAY be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the government.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications

Candidates will be evaluated IAW OPM Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.