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Snow Ranger

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Summary

This seasonal Snow Ranger position is located on the Androscoggin Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest in Gorham, New Hampshire.

This announcement may be used to fill positions with a seasonal work schedule where full-time work is guaranteed for 13 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Joshua Sjostrom at joshua.sjostrom@usda.gov.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/21/2025 to 08/01/2025
Salary
$44,959 to - $64,952 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Gorham, NH
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Seasonal - Seasonal Work Schedule 13/13: Full-time work is guaranteed for 13 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
25-RD-SVA-12766642-DP-MMR
Control number
840979300

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Duties

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  • The duties listed are a the full performance GS-07 level. Serves as a technical expert serving as a qualified snow ranger.
  • Work requires incumbent to efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment.
  • Avalanche forecasting, search and rescue, and winter recreation programs.
  • Avalanche forecasts to the general public, utilizing multiple sources of information.
  • Educates avalanche awareness and guidance to the general public using multi-media and public speaking.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • 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. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
  • Must be capable of obtaining Emergency Medical Technician certification within 90-days of hire.

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.

In addition to meeting the Specialized Experience requirement, you must also meet the Selection Placement Factors listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-06: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following:

  • Assisted with operations and maintenance tasks associated with forest recreation sites used primarily for snow-related recreational activities;
  • Received training in applying snow or ice rescue procedures and first aid;
  • Utilized and maintained various tools and equipment for professional snow related activities;
  • Used ice climbing and mountaineering skills to access steep terrain;
  • Assisted in evaluation of weather conditions for advisory services; and/or
  • Utilized geographic and topographical maps to assist in evaluation of weather conditions and advisories.
For the GS-07: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following:
  • Received training to Gather information to determine current avalanche hazard;
  • Assisted with performing field assessments and predicting avalanche conditions, hazards, and risk, or followed detailed instructions to issue avalanche advisories.
  • Received training in applying snow or ice rescue procedures and skills to assist public who are lost or injured;
  • Used ice climbing and mountaineering skills to access steep terrain;
  • Gathered information to submit to a senior employee for preparation and execution of wilderness management plans based on approved direction in land management plans; and/or
  • Implemented small wilderness and/or trail and bridge maintenance projects.
Selective Factors (Screen out Elements): 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. AND Expert level experience to safely and efficiently navigate mountainous, backcountry, avalanche terrain in a harsh winter environment using backcountry skis and snowmobiles.

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

See Qualifications and How You Will Be Evaluated Sections.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill positions with a seasonal work schedule where full-time work is guaranteed for 13 pay periods and when not working, you will be placed in non-pay/non-duty status.

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), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles 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 selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

This position is not eligible for telework/remote work.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12766642

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