Chief of Staff

Summary

This position is located within the National Office Fire and Safety, Fire and Aviation Management organization.

The incumbent is responsible for recommending, planning, and managing special projects related to Agency-wide programs, strategic planning, and mission accomplishment.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Anthony "AJ" Bethas at [redacted].

USDA Employees: Please refer to the Next Steps section.

Duties

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• Initiates, coordinates, and oversees intensive studies, analysis, or other matters related to the national programs, policies, or relationships and activities requiring the special attention of the Chief Fire and Safety Officer.
• Monitors major projects within the Agency, continuously observes progress, resolves problems as they arise and keeps the Chief Fire and Safety Officer and Deputy Chief Officers informed.
• Defines, establishes, and directs the coordination and support on priority issues and agendas that cross organizational boundaries and promulgates solutions to issues raised in the process.
• Coordinates w/ Chief Fire and Safety Officer and/or Deputy Chief Officers concerning agency responses to sensitive and complex inquiries concerning Fire and Aviation Management activities to the Administration and a wide variety of external partners.
• Researches, prepares, and/or coordinates a variety of communications to top agency, Administration, and Congressional officials.
• Evaluates all aspects of new and established Fire and Aviation Management programs to include program objectives, policies, work operations and progress, resource requirements and utilization, division of responsibility and resources within programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• The U.S. Government utilizes Trusted Workforce 2.0 to implement Continuous Vetting (CV) as a-whole-of government approach to personnel security. If selected for this position, you will be subject to continuous automated record checks of criminal, financial, and public record databases throughout your period of eligibility or employment, replacing traditional periodic reinvestigations.
• New Forest Service supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• There may be additional Conditions of Employment not listed here; however, applicants will be notified of any specific requirements at the time a tentative job offer is made.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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. 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.

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.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GS-15 level: You must have one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience may include: Developed, planned, evaluated and/or integrated projects that affect organizational programs, strategic planning, staff relations, or mission accomplishment; Provided representation, consultation, liaison, or coordination in support of administrative activities that cross organizational boundaries to promote identification and resolution of issues or problems that that affect programs, operations, or service delivery; Supported and led organizational issues, including development and strategic management programs.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

This is a permanent, full-time position and may include weekend work.

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. Final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at time of job offer.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Questions should be directed to the Travel Help Desk, [redacted], Option 1, or email [redacted]

New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required new supervisory training program within a year of the effective date of the position.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

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.