Forestry Technician (CruiserAppraiser)

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for the technical accuracy of all timber cruising scaling and appraising for advertised and negotiated timber sales; stewardship projects; reciprocal rights-of-way; timber trespasses; and land exchanges.
• Performs timber sale reconnaissance to assist unit design for proposed timber sale tracts. Recognizes variations in timber stand conditions such as species composition age classes and silvicultural treatments in order to implement management prescriptions.
• Recognizes and reads evidence of property lines in order to prevent deter and/or identify unauthorized use or timber trespass
• Provides on-the-ground leadership - organizes schedules and executes work assignments; documents work progress; ensures projects are properly completed; and provides advice assistance and on-the-job training to lower graded forest technicians and foresters as necessary.
• Investigates and initiates reports of unauthorized use or timber trespass including preliminary determination of timber value and other resource damage.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more visit possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
  • This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest meet the organization goals and mission of the agency and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the determining if your employment advances the public interest the agency will consider:
    • your performance and conduct;
    • the needs and interests of the agency;
    • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
    • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
  • Under applicable law the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies in writing that the individuals employment should continue and that their appointment should be the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period such appointments are terminated.
  • Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

For the GS 10 and GS 11: The incumbent in this position must complete a formal realty or forest appraisal course within the first year and be proficient in the use of the market value cost and income approaches to timber appraisals within two years.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/29/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.

To receive credit for experience your resume MUST state either full-time (or 40 hours a week) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level: One (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) Independently recognizing forest hazards and variations in timber stand conditions such as species composition age classes and/or silvicultural treatments to communicate and prescribe mitigation measures; (2) Conducting timber sale reconnaissance and unit design for proposed timber sale tracts; and/or field surveys of timber sale boundaries roads and/or property lines; (3) Utilizing Geographic (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies to utilize geospatial equipment for field data collection and transfer of accurate data to automated systems and databases for analysis; and (4) Developing reports and content for planning documents; and (5) Giving advice on and/or resolving difficult but well-precedented factual procedural and/or recurring issues related to forestry programs.
OR
Education: Have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters degree or masters or equivalent graduate degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in the basic requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education).
-OR-
Combination 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. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: 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.