Lead Avalanche Forecaster

This position is located in Girdwood, AK on the Chugach National Forest.. The incumbent serves as an avalanche specialist providing support and overseeing the development of an avalanche program. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Chris Stewart at christopher.s.stewart@usda.gov or 360-746-4251.

Major duties

• Evaluate National Weather Service products and observations to create a daily mountain weather forecast, which is included in the avalanche advisory.
• Works with supervisor to develop program budgets for the continuance and maintenance of the Avalanche Center.
• Fosters ongoing relationships with partners in the community to maintain support for the Center.
• Oversees and directs the maintenance and operation of avalanche weather stations within the forecast area.
• Inspects and performs routine user level maintenance and services on various weather station equipment and instruments.
• Assists the director of the avalanche center with work planning and organization of workloads for field going avalanche program staff. Directs and conducts field work as required.
• Conducts snow stability tests and records snowpack observations in the field, and exercises professional knowledge of avalanche hazard mitigation procedures.
• Gathers and maintains data about snow conditions, weather, and condition trends using current technology.
• Provides assessments of the proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop and keeps current on “state-of-the-art” techniques for issuing avalanche advisories.
• Delivers information used to develop media communications regarding avalanches as directed by supervisor.
• Works with supervisor to coordinate avalanche education efforts including the development of avalanche education materials and avalanche awareness programs for a diverse user group using a variety of commutation mechanisms and approaches.
• Conducts and coordinates avalanche education with ski area permittees.

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. In addition to meeting the Specialized Experience requirement, you must also meet the Selection Placement Factors listed below. Basic Requirement: GS-1301 Series A. 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 B. 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 Series A. 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 B. 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 Series A. 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 B. 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 C. 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 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. 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

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service 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. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. 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.