Natural Resources Specialist (Ranger)

Summary
About the Position: You will plan and execute programs in recreation management, visitor assistance and services, Natural Resources management and interpretation.
THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT/STANDING REGISTER. It will be used to fill immediate and future vacancies. There may be multiple cut-off dates with the first being 5 MARCH 2024. Additional cut off dates may be established as needed until all vacancies have been filled.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
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Duties

• At the GS-05 and GS-07 levels, the duties are developmental in nature leading to the full performance level of GS-09. The duties are described at the GS-09 level.
• Duties involve working close with project and district staff personnel who are responsible for management planning and/or direction of lakeshore management, visitor assistance, accident prevention/safety, recreation, and resource/land management.
• Participate in recreation program planning and administration with responsibility for developing and/or providing significant and substantive input and hands-on participation in the development and execution of recreation area operating plans.
• Patrol project land and water areas to enforce various rules and regulations through issuance of verbal/written warnings, and actual citations.
• Participate in resource management program planning and administration for which others have project level program responsibility. Participate in project interpretive program efforts.
• Responsible for observing all safety rules, regulations, and directives applicable to the work assignment.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• The employee may be required to wear the Corps' authorized uniform in the performance of duties.
• This position requires the incumbent to work nights and weekends frequently.
• Position meets the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Subject to re-employment screening, and random testing thereafter.
• Incumbent may be required to possess or be able to acquire first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and blood-borne pathogen training.
• Incumbent may be required to receive a minimum of 24 hours of personal protection/unarmed self defense, situational evaluation and tactical communication training within two years of employment
• Acquire a Corps of Engineers boat operator's license within 12 months
• Occasional overnight travel is required

Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
GS-05:
Basic Requirement for Natural Resources Specialist (0401):
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify at the GS-07/GS-09 levels you must also meet one of the qualification requirements listed below:
GS-07
Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with the development of plans and schedules for employees, assisting with creating guides, manuals and training materials, performing project/recreation management functions associated with recreation safety and security and developing and maintaining project programs This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.;
OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.
GS-09
Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes developing plans and schedules for project employees, creating guides, manuals and training materials, performing recreation management functions associated with project safety and security, developing and maintaining recreation/project programs and delegating assignments to lower graded employees. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Construction, Engineering, and Infrastructure (CF) Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Veterans Preference does not apply since DHA eliminates competitive rating and ranking.
• Military Spouse Program (MSP) preference is not applicable since a Best Qualified group will not be identified.

Salary Details:

• 2024 RUS Table includes Porterville, CA; Sanger, CA; Orland, CA and Raymond, CA
  
  • GS-05: $39,576-$51,446
  • GS-07: $49,025-$63,733
  • GS-09: $59,966-$77,955
• 2024 SAC Table includes Smartville, CA
  
  • GS-05: $43,757-$56,881
  • GS-07: $54,203-$70,466
  • GS-09:$66,300-$86,190
• 2024 SF Table includes Valley Springs, CA and Oakdale, CA
  
  • GS-05: $49,262-$64,037
  • GS-07: $61,023-$79,331
  • GS-09:$74,642-$97,034
• 2024 FN Table includes Lemoncove, CA
  
  • GS-05: $39,688-$51,592
  • GS-07: $49,163-$63,914
  • GS-09:$60,135-$78,175
• 2024 LA Table includes Lake Isabella, CA
  
  • GS-05: $46,020-$59,823
  • GS-07: $57,007-$74,110
  • GS-09:$69,729-$90,647

• 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

• 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal empl...