Outreach Notice

USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Visitor Services Information AssistantGS-1001-04/05

Republic Ranger DistrictColville National Forest

Outreach Response Date: May 11, 2015

About the PositionThe Republic Ranger District on the Colville National Forest will be filling a Visitor Services Information Assistant, GS-1001-04/05 (PFT) position located on the Republic Ranger District, with a duty station in Republic, Washington. Only one position will be filled from this outreach. Interested applicants must submit an application online through www.usajobs.gov.

The Republic Ranger District is looking for someone who is energetic, enthusiastic, self-motivated, creative, detail oriented, and possesses outstanding people skills. Strong computer skills, a desire to work with the public outside the office setting at community events and the District’s developed recreation sites, and a background in environmental education/interpretation will definitely be a plus. Professionalism in appearance and communications with internal and external customers is a must. If you are looking for a unique position that balances office management with some field oriented education and recreation support functions, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

PLEASE NOTE: The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for this position and to establish the appropriate recruitment method and area of consideration for the vacancy announcement. Responses received from this Outreach Notice will be relied upon to make these determinations. Reply back to Marcy Johnson at mjjohnson@fs.fed.us by May 11, 2015.

The PositionThis Visitor Services Information Assistant Position serves as the primary point of contact for visitor assistance in a Forest Service administrative organization. The position is nonsupervisory and includes numerous office duties as well as occasional field work.

The primary duties of this position are to provide visitor information and assistance to the general public at both the District office and at public venues such as campgrounds, trailheads, special community events, fairs, parades, and celebrations. Support to District employees including responding to the radio, may include purchasing, and coordination of the District’s employee check-in check-out system is also a critical component.

The incumbent is required to perform a variety of duties associated with public information including assisting visitors with questions and concerns, responding to written correspondence and phone inquiries regarding all areas of Forest Service management, brochure development, development of informational exhibits, updating the District’s information kiosks, and updating recreation opportunity guides.

The Visitor Services Information Assistant must be proficient in administrative duties and stay current with changing administrative policies and procedures as part of their daily duties. The position regularly handles cash receipts associated with the sale of various forest permits (firewood, Christmas tree, mineral, and recreation access) and acts as a collection officer for recreation fees paid at District recreation sites. Maintaining accurate sales records, preparing bills for collection, and transmitting funds to the Unit Collection Officer in a timely manner are critical components of this position. Performing as the District Fleet contact and may become the Contracting Officer’s Representative for the janitorial contract are some roles of this position, as well as being the District Information Technology coordinator. A variety of computer software programs are used to process information and requests.

Development of environmental education products (displays and/or presentations) regarding fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, rangeland management (including range and noxious weed information), wildlife, timber activities, restoration, the working forest landscape, etc., and presentations

on these topics at local area schools and public venues will be a critical part of the duties of this position. Additional duties in recreation may include, database management, National Recreation Reservation System management, District volunteer coordinator, and periodic assistance with the summer and winter recreation programs.

This position will also support 1) the Forest’s West Zone (Republic and Three Rivers Ranger Districts) Project Planning Group through routine filing, correspondence and legal notice preparation, 2) the Zone’s Timber and Silviculture departments through database updates and maintenance, and 3) the District’s Fire staff through a variety of fire support opportunities.

About the Colville National ForestTucked into the northeastern corner of Washington State and nestled at the foot of the northern Rocky Mountains, the Colville National Forest is an exquisite landscape of forested mountains, clear mountain streams, and fertile valleys. The 1.1 million acre forest was shaped over 10,000 years ago by Ice Age glaciers that carved three major valleys: the Columbia, Sanpoil-Curlew, and Pend Oreille River valleys. The mountains and valleys that comprise the lush northeast corner of Washington roll like waves on the high seas. Three waves of mountains run from north to south, separated by troughs of beautiful valleys. These ranges, the Okanogan, Kettle River and Selkirk are considered the eastern edge of the Okanagan highlands and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The Forest has four districts supervised by three District Rangers located in Kettle Falls, Newport, Metaline Falls, and Republic. Each unit tends to have distinctly different zones, each with its unique climate, topography, and vegetation. Each district office is located in one of the major river drainages: the Sanpoil-Curlew River Valleys, the Kettle-Colville-Columbia River Valleys, and the Pend Oreille River Valley. The Forest also provides services to the Curlew Job Corps Center located 30 miles north of Republic.

Forest topography is varied, ranging from rounded mountain slopes at low elevations to high peaks and basins above 7,300 feet in elevation. Primary access is through approximately 4,400 miles of roads and 518 miles of trails. Ecology is highly diverse ranging from ponderosa pine and Douglas fir on drier sites to western red cedar, western hemlock, western white pine and a variety of deciduous species on wetter sites. The Forest also has a significant expanse of lodgepole pine and the famously beautiful western larch. Wildlife includes a tremendous variety including whitetail and mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and black bear. Rare sightings are also possible of the threatened grizzly, Canada lynx, and endangered woodland caribou. Another amazing sight is the large number of bald eagles that winter along the major rivers and nest in the vicinity.

Our lakes, rivers, and streams offer an abundance of German brown trout, rainbow trout, eastern brook trout, westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, burbot, Kokanee salmon, and yellow perch. We have groomed cross-country and snowmobile trails, many miles

of backcountry non-motorized trails, over a hundred miles of single track motorcycle trails, a growing network of ATV routes, as well as opportunities for rock climbing, mountaineering, swimming, watersports, bird watching, and opportunities to find solitude in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness or several other roadless areas. No matter what your recreational interests are, you’ll probably find an opportunity to explore them further on the beautiful Colville National Forest!

The Forest is known for being at the cutting edge of innovation in its community partnerships and collaboration, which leads to some unique challenges and opportunities in managing resources. The Forest also shares an interagency dispatch center with the Department of Interior and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Fire resources often work with their peers from these other agencies during wildland and prescribed fire activities. We place a high value on our relationships with each other, sister agencies, and local community partners and cooperators.

For more information about the Colville National Forest, please look at the following websites:http://www.fs.usda.gov/colville/http://www.nwccweb.us/districts/NEWICC/index.html

About the Republic Ranger District areaThe Republic Ranger District is approximately 240,000 acres in size lying along the western boundary of the Forest. During the summer, the District employs 13 PFT, 9 PSE, and 25 TEMP employees. The District responds to 20-30 initial attack fires a season. The District has an active fuels program, treating approximately 2,000 acres annually of natural and activity fuels by prescribed burning and mechanical methods. Fire Management works closely with neighboring Washington State DNR resources and two rural fire districts.

Republic, Washington is a city with an early 1900s look and a heritage based in the mining and logging industries. Founded by gold prospectors, and originally named Eureka Gulch, Republic had a population of 1,073 in 2010. Noted for its fossils, natural beauty and recreational possibilities, it is nestled in a valley between Wauconda and Sherman Passes at the intersection of Washington State Routes 20 and 21 in the north central part of the state.

Specific information about the Republic community and surrounding area can be found on the following websites:City Visitors Bureau www.republicwa.orgChamber of Commerce http://www.republicchamber.org/index.htmlFerry County http://www.ferry-county.com/index.htmlWikipedia Info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic,_WashingtonReal Estate http://www.zillow.com/republic-wa/

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Republic_WA

There is limited government housing that is currently occupied. However, housing is available in the community of Republic and surrounding areas.

Outreach ResponseIf you are interested in applying for this position and want to receive updates of the position’s status, please complete the attached outreach form and send electronically to mjjohnson@fs.fed.us or mail to:

Republic Ranger DistrictMarcy Johnson650 E. Delaware AveRepublic, Wa 99166

If you have further questions, call:Marcy Johnson, Support Services Specialist at 509-775-7400 or email mjjohnson@fs.fed.us

OUTREACH RESPONSE FORMPlease respond by 05/11/2015 .

If you are interested in applying for this position and want to receive updates of the position’s status, please complete the attached outreach form and send electronically to mjjohnson@fs.fed.us or mail to:

Republic Ranger DistrictMarcy Johnson650 E. Delaware AveRepublic, WA 99166

I am interested in the following position:

Position Title/Series/Grade: Visitor Services Information Assistant GS-1001-04/05

Location: Region 6, Colville National Forest, Republic, WA

Name:

Address:

Email Address:

Phone:

If current federal employee:

Current title/series/grade:

Current agency and location:

Type of Appointment:

Permanent Term Temporary

If not a current permanent employee are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities?

Persons with Disabilities ____ Former Peace Corps Volunteer ____ Public Lands Corps Program ____ Pathways Internship Program ____ Recent Graduates Program ____ Veterans Recruitment Act ____ Disabled Veteran (30% Compensable) ____ Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1988 ____

How did you hear about this outreach? _______________________________________________