Lead Avalanche Forecaster

Forest Service • Girdwood, AK

11d • Onsite

About The Position

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 [email protected] or 360-746-4251.

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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 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.
• For the GS-09: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service.
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Expert level experience to safely and efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment using backcountry skis and snowmobiles.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level