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Summary This position serves as a certified arborist at a National Park Service Unit. The primary purpose of the position is to provide proper care and maintenance of specimen trees and shrubs located within maintained landscapes, and mitigate hazard tree conditions along roadways and trails, and within developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, etc., where the visiting public are invited to come; by performing arboricultural practices and applied arboricultural services. Responsibilities Diagnoses tree and shrub biotic/abiotic disorders. Identifies the presence of pests and diseases using diagnostic tools. Develops an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan and establishes thresholds to guide treatment options. Develops contract specifications for tree-related work to be accomplished by an outside contractor. Serves as park technical representative overseeing contracted tree work. Participates in project planning meetings and provides recommendations for construction preservation of trees in accordance with industry standards. Performs annual and comprehensive condition assessment of trees to determine the health & vigor, and structural stability of trees through the knowledge of tree identification, components, and structure. Provides treatment recommendations to improve the health & vigor and maintain the structural stability. Documents assessment and treatment recommendations using a condition assessment report. Performs risk (hazard) assessment of trees to determine the presence of tree defects that have the potential to fail, resulting in personal injury and/or property damage. Rates the tree's potential risk of failure, provides treatment recommendations, and documents assessment and recommendations using a tree risk assessment report. Ascends/descends trees using a rope and work positioning saddle and various climbing methods to perform arboricultural operations aloft in trees that will be retained in the landscape. Ascends/descends trees using climbing gaffs (spikes) to perform arboricultural operations aloft in trees that will be removed from the landscape. Plants/transplants trees and shrubs using proper plant selection and planting techniques derived from the latest research and technological developments. Prunes trees and shrubs in accordance with industry standards to achieve desired objectives (e.g. reduce the risk of failure, improve fruit & flower production, etc.) using handsaws, pole saw, and chainsaws. Removes desired trees using a chainsaw and "directional felling" techniques. Performs "bucking" (cutting a tree into moveable sections), "limbing" (cutting limbs off of a tree), "brushing" (cutting woody vegetation up to 4 inch diameter), and "slashing" (cutting tree parts to lay flat on the ground) techniques. Requirements Conditions of Employment Term: This position is a full-time term appointment not-to-exceed 2 years. The National Park Service retains the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the regulation governing the number of years term appointments may last. This change, which may be made at the agency's sole discretion and without further competition, shall not be construed or interpreted as the granting of a right to a selectee or employee to such an extension. No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action. This announcement is open to the first 100 applicants or until 07/10/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration. U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Term: You will be required to complete a one-year trial period. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF AN ARBORIST WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN OUT) VEHICLE OPERATION Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Ability to Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Reliability and Dependability as an Arborist If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. 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. Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional Information Additional Selections: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. Physical Demands: Must possess the ability to: Work at heights up to 100 feet Lift weights up to 75 pounds Withstand long periods of physical exertion and prolonged exposure to repetitive motion. When motor vehicle or tractor operator duties are performed, moderate effort is exerted to manipulate equipment controls. Working Conditions: This position requires work that is inherently dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. The work is performed outside and is subject to weather conditions ranging from high heat and humidity to sub-zero temperatures. The incumbent may be exposed to a variety of site hazards including extreme environmental conditions; poisonous plants, insects, and/or reptiles; electrical conductors; uneven terrain; pedestrian/vehicular traffic, etc. When vehicles are operated there is additional exposure to risk to traffic accidents, overturning or boom accidents aloft.