Forestry Technician (Cruiser/Appraiser)
What you'd do
Explore a new career with the Bureau Land Management - where our people are our most precious resource. You will serve as a Forestry Technician (Cruiser/Appraiser). Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.
Major duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for the technical accuracy of all timber cruising, scaling, and appraising for advertised and negotiated timber sales; stewardship projects; reciprocal rights-of-way; timber trespasses; and land exchanges. Performs timber sale reconnaissance to assist unit design for proposed timber sale tracts. Recognizes variations in timber stand conditions such as species composition, age classes, and silvicultural treatments in order to implement management prescriptions. Recognizes and reads evidence of property lines in order to prevent, deter, and/or identify unauthorized use or timber trespass Provides on-the-ground leadership - organizes, schedules and executes work assignments; documents work progress; ensures projects are properly completed; and provides advice, assistance, and on-the-job training to lower graded forest technicians and foresters as necessary. Investigates and initiates reports of unauthorized use or timber trespass including preliminary determination of timber value and other resource damage. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
What you need to qualify
For the GS 10 and GS 11: The incumbent in this position must complete a formal realty or forest appraisal course within the first year and be proficient in the use of the market value, cost, and income approaches to timber appraisals within two years. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/29/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level: One (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: (1) Independently recognizing forest hazards, and variations in timber stand conditions such as species composition, age classes, and/or silvicultural treatments to communicate and prescribe mitigation measures; (2) Conducting timber sale reconnaissance and unit design for proposed timber sale tracts; and/or field surveys of timber sale boundaries, roads, and/or property lines; (3) Utilizing Geographic (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technologies to utilize geospatial equipment for field data collection and transfer of accurate data to automated systems and databases for analysis; and (4) Developing reports and content for planning documents; and (5) Giving advice on and/or resolving difficult but well-precedented, factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues related to forestry programs. OR Education: Have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in the basic requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education). -OR- Combination education and experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Before you apply
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