Description

Federal Lands Restoration Specialist, NRS1
Recruitment #2022-8-8426
Full-time, Non-Permanent, Represented position
Anticipated state date of 4/1/23 for up to 18 month depending on availability
Location: Northeast Region - Colville or Loomis, WA
Salary: $3,558.00 - $4,777.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 3/2/2023. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit material as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and United States Forest Service (USFS) are increasing the pace and scale of forest health treatments and restoration projects in Washington’s forests through the mutual benefits of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). The authority allows for a variety of projects including mechanical treatments, prescribed fire, aquatic restoration, planning, surveys and monitoring, timber sales, road decommissioning, planning, habitat restoration, and more.

In Washington, the GNA can provide opportunities to:

• Reduce hazardous fuels that contribute to increased wildfire risks to state, federal, and private resources and human life
• Increase Washington forests’ resiliency by reducing insects and disease
• Strengthen broad, mutually-beneficial federal and state partnerships to increase coordination and planning opportunities
• Increase economic opportunities for communities near natural resources and forests

The Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) was authorized permanently by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill to allow state agencies to enter into agreements with the USFS and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The GNA authorizes the State to act as a trusted agent of the federal government to accomplish a variety of forest, range, and watershed restoration services on the National Forest System (NFS) with the additional benefit of utilizing state mechanisms to implement projects.

Duties

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of supervisor, assist professional staff in the implementation of Federal restoration projects to insure the success of projects on the Colville National Forest. Ensure all aspects of implementation adhere to all applicable laws.
• Under the direction of supervisor, assist professional staff with Commercial and non-commercial contract preparation, implementation, and compliance. Timber presale preparation, including general sale layout, road location, surveying (property line location with staff compass or hand compass), marking, and cruising.
• Under the direction of supervisor, assist professional staff with Non-commercial restoration project layout in coordination with U.S. Forest Service specialists, under guidance of Unit Forester, Program Leads, and Manager
• Under the direction of supervisor, assist professional staff with commercial and non-commercial project contract compliance on U.S. Forest Service restoration projects in coordination with specialists and contracting officers, including restoration work within the project area.
• Operate Global Positioning System (GPS) for mapping of project boundaries and road locations.
• Utilize other natural resource professional’s expertise in planning management activities to help identify resource protection measures that may be required.

This position directly contributes to the goals and strategies of the Forest Health & Resiliency Division and Washington’s Forest Health 20 Year Strategic Plan, partner federal strategies such as Shared Stewardship, individual Federal Land and Resource Management Plans, and the department’s overarching Strategic Plan.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• An AA degree in Forestry or Natural Resources related field of study.
  OR a combination of education and experience equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience using GPS equipment to map unit boundaries and road layouts.
• Knowledge of logging and forest road layout.
• Demonstrated experience using personal computers as well as computer applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, etc.
• Knowledge of forest management objectives and silvicultural practices.
• Knowledge of contracting procedures.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Conditions of Employment:

• A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
• Position's assigned duty station may be the NE Region Headquarters or Loomis Work Center– however, due to the large area of coverage of the Colville National forest, this position may be authorized to telecommute from home. This position may work remotely in U.S. Forest Service or DNR work centers as needed. The large majority (90%) of work is performed alone in isolated unimproved natural areas. Incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions
• Position requires large majority (90%) of time in the field traveling alone between restoration activities and their assigned work center or Home if authorized. Position requires travel outside of the region for meetings, duty assignments, training sessions, and fire assignments and includes state-wide travel and potential interstate travel. Travel to various meeting locations state-wide or interstate is estimated to be 5% of the incumbent’s time.
• Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent and no start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in natural resources, natural resource management, or closely related field, or at least 2 years of field experience in natural resource management.
• Knowledge of Agency policies and Forest Practices requirements for wetland and stream delineation for eastern Washington.
• Contract development and administration for timber sales, road construction, reforestation, thinning or other silvicultural practices.
• Previous wildland firefighting experience, prescribed fire implementation, burn plan development and hazardous fuels treatment prescription implementation.
• Knowledge of employment rules and regulations as they apply to permanent, seasonal career and seasonal DNR employees.
• Previous experience working with Good Neighbor Authority and/or interpreting and implementing NEPA documents as related to U.S. Forest Service and BLM restoration projects in Northwestern forestry environments.
• Proven ability in computer applications such as Arc GIS, Microsoft Word and Excel.

Supplemental Information

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Application Requirements:

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information
  (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

The Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

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Questions? Please contact Nichole Guglielmino at nichole.guglielmino@dnr.wa.gov, 509-675-8597 or Nathan Janiga at nathan.janiga@dnr.wa.gov, 509-675-4062 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.