the USDA Forest Service # WorkForNature Caring for the land and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Caring for the land and serving people #WorkForNature

Geoscience Careers with the USDA Forest Service

Land Management Agencies

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Department of Agriculture

Agency Management Primary Resources Managed

Forest Service

193 million acres Multiple Use Forest products, domestic grazing, fish and wildlife habitat

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

264 million surface acres and 560 million subsurface acres Multiple Use Domestic grazing, mining, timber, energy extraction, fish and wildlife habitat

National Park Service

83.6 million acres Dominant Use Land, wildlife, and historical conservation

Fish and Wildlife Service

96 million acres Dominant Use Wildlife and habitat conservation, wildlife-related recreation

National Forests and Grasslands

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Forest Service Research Stations

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The Forest Service Mission

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

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What We Manage

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• Forests
• Plants
• Rangelands
• Recreation
• Restoration
• Water
• Wildlife and Fish
• Minerals and

Geology

Minerals - Leasable

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Fluid minerals: oil, natural gas and geothermal Solid minerals: coal, phosphates, sodium and others

Minerals - Locatable

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Gold Silver Tin Copper Mineral materials: sand, gravel, stone, pumice, cinders, clay, petrified wood, peat, and other low value material

Geologic Resources

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Groundwater Caves & Karst Paleontology

Geologic Hazards

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Alpine Tsunami!

National Monuments

Geologic Special Interest Areas

Geologic Points of Interest

National Natural Landmarks

Research Natural Areas

Wild & Scenic Rivers

“Other Special Areas”

What Does a FS Geologist Do?

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Administers mineral leasing activities on National Forest system lands. Conducts geologic studies and investigations on a variety of projects where geology and mineral activities have an effect on development and/or management of forest resources. Applies geologic principles to methods of prospecting, exploration, development, and mining and their related impacts.

More Duties

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Investigates and determines the geologic limitations and capacities of projects in a specific geographical area. Examines forest land and makes assessment of mineral potential in order to develop, evaluate, and administer minerals management activities. Participates on interdisciplinary teams for evaluating the impact of Forest Service and non-Forest Service activities on Forest lands.

Still More Duties

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Conducts comprehensive investigations, evaluations, and reports on ground water conditions for water well sites, geologic hazards, and unique geologic resources, such as paleontological sites. Conducts validity examinations to determine and make recommendations about the lack of a mineral discovery or to reaffirm that a mineral discovery has been made. Serves as expert witness providing testimony in validity determination cases.

Other Agencies that Hire Geoscientists

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Park Service (NPS) US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) United States Geological Survey (USGS) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force

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Job Series for Geoscientists

Series Name (# in FS*) Series Number Geology (104) 1350 Hydrology (254) 1315 Hydrology Technician (62) 1316 General Physical Science (2000) 1301 Physical Science Technician (28) 1311 General Biological Science (2059) 0401 Mining Engineering (2) 0880 Petroleum Engineering (3) 0881

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*As of 4/3/2020, may not include seasonal employees

Grade Levels

Grade Education* Level Field v. Office 5 B.S. District Field 7 B.S.+ District Field 9 M.S. District Field 11 Ph.D. District-Forest Field 12 Forest-Region Field/Office 13+ Region-WO Office *…or 1 year equivalent to at least previous grade

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Coursework, Skills & Licensures

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A geology degree with six semester hours each of physics and calculus will generally qualify you for the hydrology series Programs that qualify you for multiple series (Southern Illinois University – Master of Forestry: Hydrology and Soil Science Program) Geographic Information System (GIS) Programming (Python, C++, Java, R) No licensure required for geology or hydrology

Don’t Be Discouraged

May 2012: Graduated April 2013:

• “Additional experience with National Environmental

Policy Act, and working on interdisciplinary teams related to forest management would help augment your present qualifications for future applications.”

• Not a 2013 PMF Finalist

April 2014: PMF Finalist April/May 2014: Interviewed with BSEE, EPA & USFS May 2014: Hired by the US Forest Service as a PMF & NEPA Coordinator March 2016: Converted into current position

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Preparing Yourself

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An Opportunity for Everyone

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Pathways Programs

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Pathways Programs (continued)

Internship Program Students in high school, college, trade school or other qualifying educational institution may be eligible. Must be in good academic standing (defined by the academic institution) and enrolled at least full or half-time (defined by the institution). This program offers paid

• pportunities to work in federal agencies and explore

federal careers while completing your education. Recent Graduates Program For those who have graduated, within the past 2 years, from a qualifying educational institution or certificate

• program. This graduate program offers career

development with training and mentorship. You must apply within 2 years of getting your degree or certificate (veterans have up to 6 years to apply due to their military service obligation). Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program For recent graduates with an advanced degree—either a professional or graduate degree such as a master’s, Ph.D. or J.D.

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Presidential Management Fellows Program

Karen Vyverberg, PMF 2018 Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Florida, 2017 B.S., Geological Sciences, University of Florida, 2013

Field work using a GSA Southeastern Section Grant 2017 Field Camp 2012

Undergrad research in Archean crustal evolution

PhD research in Pleistocene climate and coastal hydrology

Hired by USDA Forest Service for vegetation management planning and partnership coordination in South Lake Tahoe, California Currently acting Water Resources Program Manager for the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region in Denver, Colorado

31 www.PMF.gov

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program The Opportunity for Applicants

2021

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Opening Disclaimer

www.PMF.gov

As a PMF Ambassador, I do not speak on behalf of the U.S. Office

• f Personnel Management, the PMF Program Office, or any
• ther agency, rather, I speak in my own personal capacity as a

Presidential Management Fellow (PMF), and I’m here to:

• Outline the basics of the program,
• Share how it can serve as a catalyst for leadership in the

federal government, and

• Talk about the overall value of a career in public service
• Encourage you to apply!

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The PMF Program Has a Rich History of Presidential Leadership and Commitment

www.PMF.gov

Celebrating a 40+ year legacy of developing high potential graduate degree holders into visionary leaders who transform government

EO 12008 (1977)

• Presidential

Management Intern (PMI) Program

• Attract exceptional

management potential

• Public

management/policy backgrounds

EO 12364 (1982)

• Maximum of 200

PMIs selected yearly

• Colleges and

universities nominate

• Opened to non-

public policy students

EO 12645 (1988)

• Maximum of 400

PMIs selected yearly

EO 13318 (2003)

• Changed name to

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

• Expanded training

and development requirements

EO 13562 (2010)

• Placed PMF within

Pathways Programs

• Schedule D

Appointing Authority

• Extended eligibility to

include recent graduates

• Eliminated

nomination process

PMFs Make a Positive Impact on Our Nation

www.PMF.gov 4

Sue Suh

• PMI at Department
• f Defense
• Chief Talent Officer

at the Rockefeller Foundation

• Current Chief

People Officer at Time Magazine Derek Kan

• PMF at Office of Mgmt.

and Budget

• Board member of Amtrak
• General Manager of Lyft
• Advisor at Elliott

Management Corp.

• Under Secretary of

Transportation for Policy at DOT

• Current Executive

Associate Director at White House Office of

• Mgmt. and Budget

Sean O’Keefe

• PMI at OMB
• Secretary of the

Navy

• Administrator of

NASA

• CEO of Airbus
• Current Professor

Syracuse University Bonnie Jenkins

• PMI at Department of

Defense and State Department

• Former Ambassador,

Special Envoy and Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs

• Founder of Women of

Color Advancing Peace and Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS)

• Current Non-resident

Senior Fellow at Brookings

A Call to Lead, a Call to Serve

www.PMF.gov

Federal Employee Oath of Office

• I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support

and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office

• n which I am about to enter. So help me God.

5 U.S.C. §3331

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PMF Program Overview

www.PMF.gov

• Pipeline for Future Leaders in Federal Government
• Involves a very competitive and rigorous application and

assessment process

• Solicits eligible individuals annually (Applicants)
• Selection of Finalists
• Finalists seek appointments as Fellows
• Two-year fellowship of training and development, with potential

to be converted to a permanent position

• Initial appointment at the GS-9/11/12 (or equivalent)
• Promotion potential to the GS-13
• Succession Planning for Federal Agencies

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The Fellowship Includes

www.PMF.gov

• Onboarding with your fellowship class
• Rigorous Leadership Development & Individual Development Plan
• 160 hours of formal interactive training
• At least one 4-6 month Developmental Assignment
• Optional Rotational Opportunities
• Assignment of senior-level Mentor
• Potential Appointment Benefits such as Public Transportation

Subsidies, Telework, Student Loan Repayment

• Opportunity to non-competitively convert to a term or

permanent Federal position upon successful completion of program requirements

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Application Process & What to Expect

www.PMF.gov

• Application typically takes place annually in the fall (Sept/October)
• Announcement is posted on www.USAJOBS.gov; applicants apply on

PMF Talent Management System

• Applicants submit an on-line application which includes:
• Resume
• Transcript (and/or alternative)
• Supporting documentation for any claims to Indian preference,

veterans’ preference, and/or reasonable accommodations

• An On-Line Assessment
• Finalists are typically announced six weeks after application closes (Nov)
• As a Finalist you have 12 months of appointment eligibility
• Hiring event held for Finalists in the Spring
• Upon securing position with a participating Federal agency  Fellow

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www.PMF.gov 39

Online Assessment

• The on-line assessment is designed to identify evidence of the following

competencies that are critical to success on the job across all PMF

• ccupations:
• Assessment Guide published annually in the late spring/early summer
• Flexibility
• Integrity
• Interpersonal skills
• Public service motivation
• Problem solving
• Written communication

Who can apply? How to Apply?

www.PMF.gov

Who Can Apply:

• Graduate Students world-wide
• Advanced Degree from an accredited institution
• Must have advanced degree requirements completed by Aug 31st following the

application year

• May apply within the last year of study OR up to 2 years after completing

advanced degree

• Either a U.S. Citizen OR have the ability to legally be able to work in the U.S.

How to Apply:

• Review the “Become a PMF” section on the PMF website (www.pmf.gov) for

the next annual application

• Follow instructions and link found in announcement posted at

www.USAJOBS.gov when the application opens

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Total # of Applicants: 4,903 Total # of Finalists: 402 (8.2% acceptance rate) Academic institutions represented: 125 Total number of unique academic disciplines: 61 Veterans: 13%

Class of 2020 Stats

41 www.PMF.gov

Where PMFs are hired (All over the country!)

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WWW.PMF.GOV

PMF Appointments in the Forest Service (1992-2018)

WWW.PMF.GOV

Nat Natural ural Re Reso sources urces Sp Speci ecialist alist

PMF Appointments in the Forest Service (1992-2018)

Learn More

www.PMF.gov

Presidential Management Fellows Program U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street NW, Room 2469 Washington, DC 20415

• Website: https://www.pmf.gov
• Subscribe to PMF listserv from homepage
• Review “Become a PMF” section on PMF website
• Application and Assessment Inquiries: pmfapplication@opm.gov

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Presidential Management Fellows Program

Contact Information Karen Vyverberg Email: karen.vyverberg@usda.gov LinkedIn: Karen Vyverberg Twitter: @karenvberg Tim Stroope Email: timothy.stroope@usda.gov LinkedIn: Tim Stroope