Two GIS jobs with the USFS@Missoula, Montana

[Ernesto Alvarado]

Dr. We Min Hao from the US Forest Service in Missoula is announcing two GIS
positions (GS 9/11) to work at the Forest Fire Laboratory. If you have any
questions, please don't hesitate to contact him at whao at fs.fed.us

Ernesto Alvarado

___________________________
"WeiMin Hao/RMRS/USDA"



Dear Colleagues:

We are looking for 1-2 research staff at the GS-9/11 level with experience
in using Geographic Information System and/or satellite data. They will be
working on a variety of long-term projects to validate the fire and smoke
products derived from MODIS and AVHRR data and to develop smoke emission
models for forecasting smoke dispersion.

The attachment includes the job descriptions and the advertisement.  The
application will be open on Oct. 29 and will be closed on Nov. 9. I would
appreciate it very much if you would let colleges, students, friends know
about this opportunity. Thank you.

Wei Min

__________________________________________________________________________
Vacancy Announcement

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
FOREST SERVICE

Vacancy Announcement Number:  RM-D009-02

Opening Date:  October 29, 2001
Closing Date:  November 9, 2001

Position:  Physical Scientist
                GS-1301-9/11

Salary:  $35,808 per year - $43,326 per year

Promotion Potential:  GS-11

Duty Location:  multiple vacancies at Missoula, Montana

This position is with the Rocky Mountain Research Station.  To learn more
about the Rocky Mountain Research Station visit www.fs.fed.us/rm/

This position is in the Fire Chemistry unit.

Applications will be accepted from:  This announcement is open to any
citizen of the United States.  No previous Federal work experience is
necessary.

Current or former Federal employees certified as surplus or displaced, or
identified in affected positions in the commuting area of the vacancy and
who are covered under the Forest Service¹s Career Transition Assistance
Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program
(ICTAP) may be entitled to receive special priority selection.

Major Duties:  The positions are located at the Fire Sciences Laboratory of
the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, Montana.  The incumbent is
responsible for (1) either executing the Geographic Information System (GIS)
on validating vegetation fires and developing smoke emissions models, or (2)
executing a remote sensing project on monitoring fires and smoke dispersion
using Terra, Aqua, and AVHRR satellite data. Incumbent develops specific
objectives and approaches; plans work schedule and assignments as part of a
long-term project that requires independent judgment.  Incumbent will
interact with scientists, software specialists and others to develop
solutions and adapt methodology.  The work affects the unit¹s ability to
meet deadlines and to provide accurate and valuable information to users.


Qualifications Required:
Applicants must meet qualification requirements specified in the Office of
Personnel Management¹s Qualification Standards Handbook.  This handbook can
be found in any Federal government Human Resources office or at
www.opm.gov.qualifications

THIS POSITION HAS A POSITIVE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.  APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT
A LEGIBLE COPY OF THEIR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT.

GS-9:  Must have 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate
education or master¹s or equivalent graduate degree, or 1 year specialized
experience equivalent to at least the GS-7.

GS-11:  Must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education
or PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 1 year specialized experience
equivalent to at least the GS-9.

Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the
particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully
the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the
position to be filled.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at
least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the
occupation in the organization.  Credit will be given for the percentage of
time that applicants have spent in positions that had duties related to this
position.  If your position involved mixed duties, where only a portion of
your work experience would be creditable for this position, please provide
percentages of time spent on duties related to this position.  Evaluation
will be based solely upon information submitted in the application package.

Combinations of experience and education are acceptable.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities Required:
Selective Factor(s):  A selective factor is a knowledge, skill, and/or
ability which is mandatory for performance in this position.  Applicants who
do not meet the following selective factor(s) will not be evaluated further..

Knowledge and experience in Geographic Information system and/or satellite
image analysis using software such as ERDAS/IMAGINE, Arc/Info, IDL, and
Matlab

Basis of Rating:  
Applicants will be rated based on their experience, education, and/or
training as it relates to the position being filled.  Applicants meeting the
basic qualification standards for the position, including any approved
selective placement factor(s), will be further evaluated using three
threshold criteria:  (1) above-average academic achievement; (2) quality
experience; and (3) high ability.  It is necessary for any applicant to meet
only one of the three criteria for placement into the quality group.

Pay, Benefits and Work Schedule:

This is a full time term appointment, not to exceed 24 months.  Term
appointments may be extended non-competitively up to 4 years at the option
of the agency.  Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance,
annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the Federal
Employees Retirement System, and will be eligible to receive within-grade
increases (periodic pay raises).  Term employees must satisfactorily
complete a one-year trial period.  Term employment does not confer
competitive (permanent) status, nor entitle the Term employee to
noncompetitive appointment to permanent jobs.

All Federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments
made by Direct Deposit.

Conditions of Employment:
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals
(residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil
service jobs.  Agencies are permitted to hire noncitizens only in very
limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for
the position.

As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959,
must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or
are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Work is performed outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions.
Work requires frequent bending, stooping, walking, standing, working in
cramped positions and climbing.
Work requires lifting and moving heavy items.

Occasional travel may be required.
Some travel will be required.
Frequent travel may be required.
Position requires extensive overnight travel (11 or more nights per month).

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.
Appointment will be subject to the applicant¹s successful completion of a
background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to
successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Government facilities are required to provide a smoke free environment for
their employees.  Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.
 
Other Information: 

This position is] covered by the International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers, National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 1950.

There are no Forest Service affiliated day care centers available.
No Government Housing is available.

Any new hires selected for this position will be required to complete an
Immigration and Naturalization Service I-9 Form.

Please allow 10 working days after the closing date of this announcement
before you inquire on the status of your application.  You may verify
receipt of your application by enclosing a self-addressed post card.

Selected applicant will be contacted by our Human Resources office regarding
job offers.  Applicants who are not selected will receive written
notification.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not
be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to
fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

If claiming 5 point veterans¹ preference, a DD-214 must be submitted.  If
claiming 10 point veterans¹ preference, both a DD-214 and SF-15 must be
submitted.

How to Apply:
IF APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED BY MAIL, IT MUST BE POSTMARKED BY THE CLOSING
DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO RECEIVE CONSIDERATION.  HAND DELIVERED, FAXED OR
E-MAILED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4:30 P.M. MOUNTAIN TIME ON THE
DATE THE ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSES.

The following information MUST be submitted to evaluate applicant
qualifications and to determine if the applicant meets legal requirements
for this position.  Failure to submit all required documents and information
requested may result in your not receiving full consideration.  Applicant¹s
qualifications will be evaluated solely on the information submitted in
their applications.  Applicants will not be contacted for additional
information if their applications are incomplete or inadequate.

(1)  AD-779, Biographical Sketch,
OR
(2)  Form OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment,
OR
(3)  Resume.  Resumes must include the following information (in addition to
specific information requested elsewhere in this vacancy announcement):
announcement number, veteran¹s preference, and social security number.
Applications should include all experience, education, training,
self-development, awards, commendations, outside activities, or other
information relevant to the vacancy announcement.
AND
(4)  Original or copy of college transcripts if basing qualifications on
education.  Credit for education will NOT be given unless copies of
transcripts are included in the application package.

(5)  Written response to each Selective Placement Factor, if any listed in
this announcement.

(6)  Optional Form:  AD-1086, USDA Applicant Supplemental Sheet.  This form
is used to collect personal background data on job applicants for
statistical purposes.  Submission of this form is voluntary and will not
affect consideration for this position.

(7)  CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles Only:  Individuals who have special priority
selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program
(CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must
be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special
priority selection.  Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must
submit proof that they meet the requirements for CTAP or ICTAP.  This
includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of the most recent performance
rating, and a copy of the most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade
level, and duty location.  Please annotate your application to reflect that
you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

The required forms may be obtained at any Forest Service Human Resources
Office.  Forms can also be found at the Office of Personnel Management web
site, www.opm.gov/forms/index.htm

When preparing your application, be sure to describe any experience you
might have which is directly related to the duties of this position.  It is
recommended that applicants submit a separate narrative for each rating
criteria listed.  Applicants should provide sufficient information to enable
Human Resources to properly evaluate your application against the
Qualification Standards and/or evaluation criteria as appropriate.

Please do not submit your application package in a notebook or binder with
extraneous information.

Incomplete, illegible, inaccurate, or unsigned forms may result in your not
being considered for this position.  Please fill out the application
carefully and be sure to sign and return the forms within the assigned
timeframe.  It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure the
timely receipt of the application regardless of the submission method used.
Late applications will not be considered.  The Forest Service assumes no
responsibility for late delivery of applications.

Submit e-mail applications to cmccluskey at fs.fed.us.  Submit faxed
applications to (970) 498-1163, with the vacancy announcement number on the
cover.  Subject line for e-mail must contain the announcement number.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that files can be launched and
printed through our e-mail system.  The file should also be compatible with
Lotus Notes and Microsoft Word.

Use of postage paid government envelopes to file job applications is a
violation of federal laws and regulations.  Applications submitted in
postage paid government envelopes will NOT be considered.

If applying for more than one announcement, an individual application must
be submitted for each announcement.  Failure to do so may result in your not
being considered.  Duplication of application materials is the applicant¹s
responsibility.

Materials submitted as a part of your application will not be returned.

For information regarding the specifics of the duties of the position,
contact Wei Min Hao at (406) 329-4828

For additional information about this position please contact:
Pat Dillon
(970) 498-1160
Submit your application package to:
USDA FOREST SERVICE RMRS
HUMAN RESOURCES ­ RM-D009-02
240 WEST PROSPECT RD
FORT COLLINS, CO 80526

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all
its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,
gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation,
and marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact USDA¹s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC, 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).  USDA Is
an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The USDA Forest Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants
with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of
the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person on this
announcement for assistance.  The decision on granting reasonable
accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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