National Avalanche Director

United-States-Forest-Service; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Forest Service seeks a Director for the National Avalanche Center. The role leads the agency's avalanche program, guiding complex, high-priority projects across operations, education, and policy.

Location negotiable after selection, with the incumbent acting as the program's primary technical authority. Responsibilities include overseeing specialized avalanche initiatives, coordinating with field observers and partners, and delivering information and training to stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Two or more of the following specialized experiences: avalanche hazards analysis, forecasting, and education/training, or policy interpretation to resolve complex issues.
• Experience leading or coordinating complex avalanche-related projects or programs.
• Experience delivering avalanche information or training to the public or partners.

Skills

Avalanche knowledge

Avalanche forecasting

Hazard analysis

Education

Physical science/engineering with 24 semester hours in physical science or related engineering science

Job description

This position is located at a Forest Service office. Location is negotiable after selection.

The incumbent works as the Director of the Forest Service National Avalanche Center. As the agency lead for the Forest Service's avalanche program, this position has responsibilities for complex, high priority, special projects related to all aspects of the program.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Scott Haas at [phone] or [e-mail]. 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.

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:

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 in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-13:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:

• Providing technical expertise and consultation on complex avalanche-related matters;
• Analyzing and evaluating avalanche hazards, snow safety plans, or avalanche control operations; leading or coordinating complex avalanche-related projects or programs;
• Developing or delivering avalanche information, education, or training; and/or
• Interpreting or adapting policies, guidelines, or technical information to resolve complex or unusual avalanche-related issues.

For the GS-12:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:

• Analyzing and interpreting snowpack, weather, and avalanche data to assess avalanche hazards and prepare or issue avalanche forecasts, advisories, or warnings;
• Conducting field-based avalanche assessments, including evaluating snow stability and snowpack conditions and applying avalanche forecasting, snow science, and hazard mitigation principles in backcountry avalanche terrain; and/or
• Providing technical guidance for an avalanche program, including activities such as avalanche education or training, public outreach, coordination with field observers or partner organizations, or communicating avalanche hazard and safety information to the public.

Selective Factors (Screen out Elements):

Demonstrate expert level knowledge of snow avalanches, avalanche mitigation work, and avalanche forecasting.

AND

Experience managing complex avalanche related operations.

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.