Skip to main content
Skip to main menu Skip to spotlight region Skip to secondary region Skip to UGA region Skip to Tertiary region Skip to Quaternary region Skip to unit footer

Slideshow

Geographic Information Systems Specialist

Deadline:
Employer:
Department of Agriculture Forest Service
Job Field:
Forestry
Job Type:
Full Time
Location:
Regional/Multiple
Location Detail:
check 43 locations: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/739879200#
Job Description:

Duties

  • Duties listed below are for full performance level GS-09 positions.
  • Works with managers and resource specialists to determine type, amount and level of information required to develop and analyze ecosystem management alternatives.
  • Applies applicable principles to facilitate geospatial model design and analysis procedures related to natural resource and relevant socio-economic data and products.
  • Operates complex computer systems and software packages and uses established procedures to produce intricately detailed maps and graphics for the many varied Forest resource programs, planning documents, and a variety of other requirements.
  • Duties listed below are for full performance level GS-11 positions.
  • Assesses quality, compatibility, and limitations of various data used in a wide array of land management and planning efforts.
  • Provides expertise and makes recommendations on the development and application of geospatial analysis processes, protocols and solutions to mission critical resource management issues.
  • Applies geographic and cartographic principles to the resolution of multi-disciplinary issues in geospatial database construction and map compilation.
  • Provides advice on the implementation, management, analysis, and use of geospatial information.
  • Duties listed below are for full performance level GS-12 positions.
  • The position provides leadership in the development and use of spatial data and advanced geospatial technological applications, and serves as principal technical advisor on Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  • Coordinates input from managers and resource specialists to determine type, amount and level of information required to develop and analyze ecosystem management alternatives.
  • Develops and interprets conceptual, mathematical and computer models for geospatial applications.
  • Operates complex computer systems and software packages and develops procedures to produce intricately detailed maps and graphics for the many varied Forest resource programs, planning documents, and a variety of other requirements.
  • Provides advice on the implementation, management, analysis, and use of geospatial information.
  • Serves as technical point of contact.
Qualifications:

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.



Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.



This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.




Basic Requirement:

0101 Series:

Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.



GS-0401 Series:

Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.

OR

Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation.



GS-1301:

Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.



In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.



Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level; OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Participated in developing data dictionaries, data models, and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications; Participated in the manipulation and analysis of geospatial data linking a variety of resources such as socio-economics, land, air, water, timber, recreation, wildlife, fisheries and/or special management areas; Created increasingly more complex thematic map products and presentation materials using established automated map and chart making processes; Applied basic geographic and cartographic principles to the resolution of more complicated issues in geospatial database construction and map compilation.



For the GS-11 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or

LL.M., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.).

Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Worked with managers and resource specialists to determine type, amount and level of information required to develop and analyze ecosystem management alternatives; Assisted with developing data dictionaries, data models and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications; Applied applicable principles to facilitate geospatial model design and analysis procedures related to natural resource and relevant socio-economic data and products; Operated complex computer systems and software packages and used established procedures to produce intricately detailed maps and graphics for a variety of natural resource programs and planning documents; conducted training and provide technical assistance to geographical information systems (GIS) software users in the development, storage, retrieval and analysis of data and outputs.



For the GS-12 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Provided expertise and recommendations to the development and application of geospatial analysis processes, protocols and solutions for resource and project management issues; applied advanced principles to facilitate geospatial model design and analysis, accommodate new situations and resolve novel or obscure problems; oversee resource information to facilitate data life cycle management and the organization and maintenance for multi-discipline resource information and data; coordinated input from managers and specialists to determine type, amount and level of information required to develop and analyze ecosystem management alternatives; compiled natural resource, topographic, and cartographic data to create maps and presentation materials, for a variety of planning, assessment and decision activities; maintained liaison with internal and external organizations and individuals related to geographic information systems and mapping; conducted training and provide technical assistance to geographical information systems (GIS) software users in the development, storage, retrieval and analysis of data and outputs.



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). 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.

Miscellaneous:

Additional information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.



Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.



If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.



This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.



The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/



Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE or AFGE.



Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.



Government Housing is not available.

 

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 in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.



Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.



To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12067324

Salary:
$57,118 - $82,830 per year

Salary is listed as Rest of United Stated (RUS) locality. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location.
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.

How to Apply:

job posting: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/739879200#

Support Warnell

We appreciate your financial support. Your gift is important to us and helps support critical opportunities for students and faculty alike, including lectures, travel support, and any number of educational events that augment the classroom experience. Learn more about giving.