These Avalanche Specialist positions are located at the Bridger-Teton, Sawtooth, & Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Avalanche Centers. This announcement may be used to fill positions with a seasonal work schedule where full-time work is guaranteed for 18 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Simon Trautman at simon.trautman@usda.gov.
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: 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 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. GS-0401: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-0101: Degree: 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 3 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 a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; 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. 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.
Work requires incumbent to efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment.
Inspects and performs routine user level maintenance and services on various weather station equipment and instruments.
Conducts snow stability tests and records snowpack observations in the field, and exercises professional knowledge of avalanche hazard mitigation procedures.
Writes avalanche related articles for the public in local newspapers, magazines and/or trade journals.
Teaches avalanche awareness classes to the general public using multi-media and public speaking.
Evaluate National Weather Service products and observations to create a daily mountain weather forecast, which is included in the avalanche advisory.