Deadline: Tue, 01/31/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: US Forest Service Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: Regional/Multiple Location Detail: Gainesville GA, Pineville LA, Jackson MS, and Blacksburg VA Job Description: The Southern Region (R8) will soon be advertising a permanent GS-0462-06 R8 Timber Strike Team Crew Member position in the Forest Management Unit of the Regional Office. The duty locations are in Gainesville GA, Pineville LA, Jackson MS, and Blacksburg VA. We are looking for highly motivated candidates for this unique professional opportunity to be a team member on one of the largest forest management programs in the nation. We are looking to advertise the position this month. The Forest Management Unit provides technical leadership and management direction to all forest products, silviculture and genetic resource programs designed to meet the public need and as prescribed by law, with specific responsibilities for the sale, harvest, reforestation, stand improvement, genetic resources and reporting of forest management program actions in the Southern Region. This position serves as a Crew Member within the R8 Timber Strike Team. Duties include project performance of timber sale preparation work across the Southern Region and elsewhere within the National Forest System nation-wide, as available. Opportunities abound for a diversity of experiences in this position. The incumbent of this position is required to be in travel status 75% or less. With additional travel anticipated during the first year. Qualifications: About the position: The incumbent serves as a part of a Regional timber sale preparation crew in support of the Southern Region timber program. The incumbent will perform timber marking, timber cruising, and other timber sale prep duties as needed throughout the Southern Region and elsewhere within the nation. Location: Gainesville, GA Bordered by Lake Sidney Lanier and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sheer beauty of the landscape inspires families to grow and thrive while the flourishing economic environment attracts shopping, medical, financial and educational institutions that are second to none—an ideal balance. Gainesville, the county seat of Hall County, is a bustling city of more than 35,000 people. Located 50 miles northeast of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Athens, Gainesville is the trade, medical, educational, industrial, retail, cultural and recreational center of Northeast Georgia. Lake Lanier extends across the county with 38,000 acres and 607 miles of shoreline. From swimming, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, and horseback riding to team sports, Gainesville and Hall County have venues and outlets for every recreational activity. Hall County has more parks than any county in the United States, 23 U.S. Corps of Engineers parks on Lake Lanier and another 47 parks located throughout the county. The area is also home to the Lake Lanier Olympic Center, the rowing, canoe and kayak venue for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games where lessons and events for teams and individuals are offered. Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, a 2,500 acre park, features miles of nature trails, the Elachee Nature Science Center, a wildlife garden and nature activities. Within a short distance are several State Parks, not to mention all that the Chattahoochee National Forest has to offer. With more than 20 active local arts organizations, Gainesville and Hall County offer an exciting array of theater and symphony, art exhibits and cultural programs. Hall County Schools offers a school choice program that makes a highly personalized education available to all students, including 21 diverse Charter Schools and Programs of Choice across the county. From small farms with rolling acreage to historic downtown homes to modern dwellings on the lake, the area has housing options to suit every need. Pineville, LA The duty station for this position is the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Pineville, Louisiana. The twin cities of Alexandria and Pineville support a combined population of over 62,000. Housing is abundant and includes residential and rental properties. Residents and guests enjoy a treasured, peaceful lifestyle. Alexandria is ranked as one of America’s top ten “wilderness towns” because of its incredible access to the beautiful Kisatchie National Forest. Central Louisiana has become known as “The Crossroads,” a place where all of Louisiana comes together – from culture to food and music. Alexandria offers immaculately manicured golf courses, tranquil spas, and natural terrain that will take your breath away. The AEX International Airport makes air travel to major hubs like Dallas and Atlanta easy and convenient. Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans are within a day’s drive for expanded shopping and entertainment opportunities. More information about the area can be found at: www.cityofalexandriala.com and http://www.cenlachamber.org. Jackson, MS Jackson, the state capital, is a major distribution center with a prime location, and is located equal distance between Memphis and New Orleans, north-south, and between Dallas and Atlanta, east- west. Encompassed in the boundaries of the Metropolitan Statistical Area are Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties. Jackson stands at the crossroads of Interstates 55 and 20, running north-south and east-west, respectively. The Jackson metro area is one of the most affordable in the nation. In Mississippi, the real value of $100 is $115.21, the best value in the nation as compared to other states where the real value is low as $84. For $250,000, you can purchase a 3-bedroom lake-front home in an excellent school district with access to top-notch health care, including the University Of Mississippi Medical Center, and within a 30-minute commute to work. You will live within three hours of the most European City in America, New Orleans and within five hours of some of the most beautiful white sand beaches and blue-green waters along the gulf coast. Blacksburg, VA The district office is located at Blacksburg, VA and has two work centers located at New Castle and Blacksburg. The district has 110 miles of the Appalachian trail in addition to hundreds of miles of multiples use trails, two shooting ranges, OHV trails, several day use areas, and other unique historic and natural features such as the Jefferson River and New River that are available to the public. Blacksburg, VA home of the Virginia Tech Campus offering a variety of attractions. Roanoke, VA is less than 30 miles from New Castle and provides a variety of accommodations and attractions as well. Contact: We encourage you to express your interest in our position by sending the attached Outreach Response Form, to Mike Keller, at (michael.keller@usda.gov). Please respond before 1/31/2023. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact Mike Keller by phone at (470) 372-8384. Miscellaneous: Duty Stations: Supervisor’s Office, Chattahoochee-Oconee NF, 1755 Cleveland HWY, Gainesville, GA 30501. Supervisor’s Office, Kisatchie National Forest, 2500 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA 71360 Supervisor’s Office, National Forest’s in Mississippi, 6425 Lakeover RD, Jackson, MS 39213. District Office, Eastern Divide Ranger District, 110 Southpark Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060 How to Apply: Contact: We encourage you to express your interest in our position by sending the attached Outreach Response Form, to Mike Keller, at (michael.keller@usda.gov). Please respond before 1/31/2023. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact Mike Keller by phone at (470) 372-8384.
