What are the responsibilities and job description for the Avalanche Center Director position at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)?
Three positions are being advertised. One position is located in Girdwood or Anchorage, AK on the Chugach NF, one position is located in Missoula, MT on the Lolo NF and one position is in Ketchum, ID on the Sawtooth NF.
The incumbents will direct an avalanche program which involves educating the public on avalanche science and safety, interpreting current and expected snowpack and weather conditions
Please see the Additional Information Section for hiring manager contact information.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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.
Basic Requirement:
GS-1301 - Physical Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in: 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
Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
GS-0401- Biological Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.
OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation.
GS-0101- Social Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position
OR Combination of education and experience -- that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below and selective placement factors.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:
OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one-year specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:
OR equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to the position being filled).
OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.)
Selective Factors (Screen out Elements): Demonstrate avalanche field experience that has equipped you with the knowledge to thoroughly comprehend, analyze, and apply factors affecting snow stability and avalanche potential to reduce public risk and increase employee safety. AND Expert level experience to safely and efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment using backcountry skis and snowmobiles.
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.Education:See Qualifications section for educational requirements.Employment Type: OTHER
The incumbents will direct an avalanche program which involves educating the public on avalanche science and safety, interpreting current and expected snowpack and weather conditions
Please see the Additional Information Section for hiring manager contact information.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. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.
Basic Requirement:
GS-1301 - Physical Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in: 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
Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
GS-0401- Biological Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major field of study that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.
OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation.
GS-0101- Social Science:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position
OR Combination of education and experience -- that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below and selective placement factors.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:
- Collected and analyzed data describing snow, weather, and avalanche conditions in order to publish operational or public forecasts of avalanche hazards (e.g. video, social media, and web applications);
- Worked with partnering agencies, organizations, and non-profits to develop or support avalanche safety programs, messaging, education, outreach, volunteering, funding, etc.
- Instructed snow science and avalanche education and awareness to professionals, partners, and/or general public;
- Conducted avalanche mitigation using slope cuts or explosives to reduce avalanche hazards within an operational area (ski area or highway corridor), or worked in a public avalanche forecasting capacity; and/or
- Operated snowmobiles and used backcountry skis or snowboards to conduct daily safety and risk assessments of mountainous backcountry and avalanche terrain in harsh winter environments.
OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one-year specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:
- Observed, collected and analyzed scientific snow properties in order to forecast avalanche conditions and mountain weather;
- Developed long term partnerships with private businesses and public agencies to acquire funding and support for the program;
- Prepared operational budgets and participating in grants and agreements management;
- Served as a local point of contact for all media communications regarding avalanches;
- Conducted and coordinated avalanche education and awareness to partners and/or the general public;
- Advanced back-country mountaineering skills, and the ability to operate snowmobiles and ski safely in mountainous avalanche terrain; AND/OR
- Operated snowmobiles and used backcountry skis or snowboards to conduct daily safety and risk assessments of mountainous backcountry and avalanche terrain in harsh winter environments.
OR equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to the position being filled).
OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.)
Selective Factors (Screen out Elements): Demonstrate avalanche field experience that has equipped you with the knowledge to thoroughly comprehend, analyze, and apply factors affecting snow stability and avalanche potential to reduce public risk and increase employee safety. AND Expert level experience to safely and efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment using backcountry skis and snowmobiles.
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.Education:See Qualifications section for educational requirements.Employment Type: OTHER
Salary : $61,722