National Avalanche Director

Summary

This position is located at a Forest Service office. Location is negotiable after selection. The incumbent works as the Director of the Forest Service National Avalanche Center. As the agency lead for the Forest Service's avalanche program, this position has responsibilities for complex, high priority, special projects related to all aspects of the program. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Scott Haas at (720) 534-7161 or [email protected].

Duties

• The duties listed below are at the full performance level.
• Leads the overall management of the agency’s avalanche information and education program, including providing guidance and direction for all Forest Service managed avalanche centers.
• Manages the coordination of Forest Service managed avalanche centers to facilitate their ability to provide consistent, high quality avalanche information and education to the public.
• Serves as the primary point of contact with the American Avalanche Association (A3). Manages all aspects of the agency’s partnership with A3 and the Avalanche.org initiative.
• Oversees the production of avalanche awareness materials, websites, and training that reduces the risk from avalanches to the public and to Forest Service personnel.
• Collaborates with Forest Service staff and other agencies and entities to ensure that the above programs, education, and training are implemented.
• Uses the media to educate the public about avalanches by serving as the primary Forest Service national media point of contact for all avalanche inquiries. Responds to media inquiries.
• Conduct instructional courses or professional development seminars as the workload or special requirements dictate.
• Leads the agency’s technology transfer program for technical avalanche knowledge. Keeps abreast of the latest scientific and technological developments and distills that information into practical knowledge for the agency’s field personnel.
• Develops, organizes, and implements complex special projects related to snow avalanches for field units.

Requirements

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. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. In addition to meeting the Specialized Experience requirement, you must also meet the Selection Placement Factors listed below. Basic Requirement: GS-1301 Series A. Degree: 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 B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A 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-13: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Providing technical expertise and consultation on complex avalanche-related matters; Analyzing and evaluating avalanche hazards, snow safety plans, or avalanche control operations; leading or coordinating complex avalanche-related projects or programs; Developing or delivering avalanche information, education, or training; and/or Interpreting or adapting policies, guidelines, or technical information to resolve complex or unusual avalanche-related issues. For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Analyzing and interpreting snowpack, weather, and avalanche data to assess avalanche hazards and prepare or issue avalanche forecasts, advisories, or warnings; Conducting field-based avalanche assessments, including evaluating snow stability and snowpack conditions and applying avalanche forecasting, snow science, and hazard mitigation principles in backcountry avalanche terrain; and/or Providing technical guidance for an avalanche program, including activities such as avalanche education or training, public outreach, coordination with field observers or partner organizations, or communicating avalanche hazard and safety information to the public. Selective Factors (Screen out Elements): Demonstrate expert level knowledge of snow avalanches, avalanche mitigation work, and avalanche forecasting. AND Experience managing complex avalanche related operations. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. Accomplishment Record Review: If you are found minimally qualified, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. 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/13073107 Other 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. Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location for more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page. 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 on the OPM Website. 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. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE. This position is not eligible for telework. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available.