Summary This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is the dissemination of information and interpretative assistance to the public through various means. Responsibilities Meets visitors and independently replies, either verbally or in writing, to phone and mail inquiries requesting general information about Forest Service activities, programs, and policies. Responds to a variety of questions covering all services that the forest/district may offer. May accompany a higher graded worker on regular visits to various public schools and social groups for presentations on subjects such as fire safety, environmental awareness, recreation activities, and litter prevention. Ensures that the information desk at a reception area or visitor center is covered at all times, and answers the phone and radio. Greets visitors, and responds to a variety of inquiries regarding Forest Service activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions. Evaluates inquiries in order to provide the most useful and appropriate information or to suggest other options, such as alternate routes or activities. Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities. Assists visitors and callers with informational searches, and with use of the reference library. Monitors and reports statistics such as visitor numbers and activities, for project planning. Serves as Collection Officer to sell forest timber permits and other items, such as maps and passes, in accordance with manual and handbook requirements. Is held responsible for submitting and accounting for collected monies using approved computer programs and records. Performs regular daily activities for the reception area or visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk. Provides visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informs the supervisor of visitor needs. Operates a variety of audio/visual equipment. Maintains a lost and found for visitors and staff. Participates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public. Maintains an inventory of timely publications, brochures, posters, and informational handouts. Creates and posts informational handouts and flyers concerning safety, events, and other items of importance. Works with the public affairs unit to ensure that current and accurate information is available on the external Forest Service website. Arranges informational interpretive displays in the reception area or visitor center. Varies or changes the displays to coincide with seasonal changes and unit program emphases. Visits and is familiar with trails, campgrounds, roads, and other areas on the unit, in order to provide accurate, descriptive information. Plans and presents interpretive talks and programs for visitors, local schools, and other groups. Plans and presents interpretive talks and programs for visitors, local schools, and other groups. Uses a variety of tools, such as drawings, activity specific tools, and audio/visual equipment, as interpretive aids for presentations. Coordinates Smokey Bear appearances and Forest Service presence at local events such as parades and fairs. Maintains inventory of existing publications for public use. Prepares or assists in the preparation of informational exhibits which include photos, maps, etc. Maintains the Forest video, film, and slide library and audio-visual equipment. Supports the office by performing such duties as monitoring of field going personnel for safety purposes, assistance with scheduling the conference room, fleet use reporting, travel assistance, and assistance with purchasing during busy times. Handles clerical duties, such as mail and package delivery, personnel updates to phone lists and sign-out board. Monitors the status of office and security equipment and uses a variety of office and computer equipment to accomplish unit goals. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. GS-04: Applicants must have one year of progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work which provided the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position being filled; OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Examples of General Experience includes: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. 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. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2025 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between October 20, 2024 to December 29, 2024. By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates. This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration. The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates. The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay. This position is not eligible for telework. Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location. Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.