COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST Caring for the Land and Serving People OUTREACH NOTICE Rangeland Management Specialist GS-0454-5/7/9 August 2008 The Coconino National Forest will soon be advertising a GS-0454-5/7/9, Rangeland Management Specialist, with responsibilities on the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts. This position is a permanent, full time position and is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Anyone interested in further information should complete the attached Outreach Response Form and return it to ghase@fs.fed.us or contact Gary Hase, Jr. at 928-527-8262. POSITION INFORMATION The Rangeland Management Specialist will be supervised by a GS-11 Zoned Supervisory Range Management Specialist. These two positions administer the Forest s rangeland resource management program for the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts. These two Districts encompass the north half of the Coconino National Forest and total approximately 1 million acres. The incumbent and supervisor administer 23 summer seasonal grazing allotments and one yearlong grazing allotment. Permitted use for these allotments is 7,788 head of cattle and 5,632 head of sheep for a total of about 65,050 animal months. The incumbent s duty station is located at the Peaks Ranger District in Flagstaff, Arizona. Major duties and work emphasis of this position will be grazing permit administration and allotment management plan National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) analysis. Communication and coordination skills are critical for work in this position. Other duties include rangeland monitoring, implementation of the Districts structural and non-structural range improvements program, noxious weed treatments, and management of various data bases. Important skills required for the job involve effective computer use, knowledge of range monitoring techniques, experience with range improvement construction, hiking, horseback riding, all-terrain vehicle use. A good background in NEPA, threatened and endangered species, soils, and watershed resources is useful, as well as knowledge of native plants and noxious/invasive weeds. FOREST/DISTRICT INFORMATION The Coconino National Forest consists of four Ranger Districts (Peaks, Mormon Lake, Mogollon Rim, and Red Rock) covering approximately 1.8 million acres. The Forest Service has three offices in Flagstaff: the Coconino National Forest Supervisors Office, the Peaks Ranger Station, and the Mormon Lake Ranger Station. The Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts are separate districts covering approximately 1 million acres. They are managed together and the Forest is exploring the consolidation and co-location of the districts. They have a permanent staff of approximately 90 employees who are responsible for managing a complex and diverse resource program including large recreation, range, wildlife, fire and fuels programs. Page 1 of 5
COMMUNITY INFORMATION FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA: Flagstaff, Arizona is located at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, and is the largest city in Northern Arizona. As a mid-sized city, Flagstaff has approximately 76,000 people living in and around it. The city is also the regional center and county seat for Coconino County, the second largest county in the 48 contiguous states. The City of Flagstaff, founded in 1894, is nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounded by one of the largest ponderosa pine forests on earth. At nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is also one of the highest elevation cities in the United States. Known as the City of Seven Wonders, Flagstaff attracts millions of tourists each year due to its easy access to such scenic destinations as the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks. COMMUNITY ECONOMY: Flagstaff s economy is largely based on tourism, education, government, light industry, and transportation. Some of the larger employers in Flagstaff are Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Medical Center, Flagstaff Unified School District, W.L. Gore, and government agencies such as the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and Coconino County. Tourism is an important contributor to the economy, as the city receives over 5 million visitors per year. Numerous hotel and resaurant chains serve this thriving travel and tourism industry. Six business and industrial parks are located within the general area. Major manufacturers include W.L. Gore & Associates, manufacturer of Gore-Tex and medical equipment; Nestle Purina Petcare Products, manufacturer of pet food; SCA Tissue, manufacturer of tissue paper; and Joy Cone, manufacturer of ice cream cones. Air cargo carriers Federal Express and UPS fly direct from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, and the city has ten motor freight carriers. Rail cargo transportation is served by the BNSF Railway. HOUSING: Government housing is not available. Private housing, rentals, and apartments are available but thought to be in the expensive range. Average single family homes usually range in price from $300,000 to $450,000. Average rental prices for a two bedroom apartment range from $900 to $1,500 per month. Real estate in Flagstaff, AZ will always be a good investment because of the amount of available land in the area is limited. Flagstaff has excellent choices of real estate companies and real estate agents with which to work. CLIMATE: Flagstaff has a highland semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. The combination of high altitude and low humidity provide mild weather conditions throughout most of the year, and the predominantly clear air radiates daytime heating effectively. Temperatures often fall precipitously after sunset throughout the year, and winter nights can be very cold. Winter weather patterns typically result in periodic, widespread snowfall followed by extended periods of fair weather. Although snow often covers the ground for weeks after major winter storms, Flagstaff's relatively low latitude and plentiful winter sunshine quickly melt much of what falls, and persistent deep snowpack is unusual. Summer weather is typically characterized by brief, but often intense, afternoon rain showers and dramatic thunderstorms common during the monsoon season of July and August. Summer high temperatures average around 80 F and winter high temperatures average 43 F. The record high temperature is 97.0 F on July 5, 1973, and the record low temperature was -30 F on February 1, 1985. The average annual rainfall is 22.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 100 inches. Overall, the city enjoys an average of 283 days without precipitation and 266 days of sunshine each year. Page 2 of 5
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES: Flagstaff serves as the cultural hub of Northern Arizona. Because arts and cultural activities enhance the quality of life and have an economic impact, the City strongly supports these endeavors. Throughout the year, there are art shows, concerts, festivals, live theater performances, and Native American arts and crafts exhibits. SCHOOLS: Flagstaff has 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 alternative schools, 5 magnet schools, and 3 high schools. In addition to the public school system, there are 10 charter schools run by private parties. Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College provide a wide array of higher education opportunities. TRANSPORTATION: Flagstaff is a major crossroads for the west. Interstates 17 and 40 provide road access to major west coast markets, including San Francisco, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, El Paso, Los Angeles, San Diego, parts of Mexico, and of course, Phoenix and Tucson. Highway 89 provides access to the states north of Arizona and Highway 180 provides access to the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, located four miles south of downtown Flagstaff, provides frequent daily flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where national and international connections can be made. Amtrak services Flagstaff twice daily with west-bound connections to Los Angeles and east-bound connections to Chicago. Bus services are also available for within the city travel (Mountain Line), and intra and interstate travel (Greyhound). SHOPPING: Flagstaff has an array of shopping centers, including; Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and other drug stores, auto parts stores, hardware stores, Home Depot, Best Buy, Sam s Club and the Flagstaff Mall with a wide selection of department stores such as, Dillard s, Sears and JC Penny s. There are a wide variety of grocery stores and several health food stores. Downtown Flagstaff recently experienced revitalization as part of the Main Street USA program, and features many quaint shops and galleries. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Flagstaff has an extensive array of medical facilities and resources in the areas of traditional, integrative and alternative healthcare. Flagstaff Medical Center is the Northern Arizona Regional referral center for trauma, cancer, rehabilitation, cardiac care, highrisk maternal/fetal, MRI/CT scans, and more. More than 148 physicians are on active staff at the hospital, representing 36 medical specialties. CHURCHES: All denominations of religion are well represented in the Flagstaff area. RECREATION: Flagstaff offers a multitude of outdoor and indoor recreation activities including: horseback riding, road and mountain biking, running, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing, Nordic and alpine skiing, swimming, boating, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball. The City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Department and the Flagstaff Athletic Club East and West offer numerous indoor and outdoor activities, including competitive leagues. There are about 680 acres of city parks in Flagstaff, the largest of which are Thorpe Park and Buffalo Park. In addition, there is an extensive Urban Trail System throughout the area connecting the city with the forest trails system. Nearby National Parks, Monuments, and Recreation Areas include: the Grand Canyon, Montezuma Castle, Walnut Canyon, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, Sunset Crater, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Page 3 of 5
MOTELS AND RESTAURANTS: There is no shortage of motels or restaurants in the community. Being located at the junction of two interstates (I-40 and I-17) and being the major community south of the Grand Canyon makes Flagstaff an ideal location for major motels and restaurants. OUTREACH CONTACTS Gary Hase, Jr. Mike Chaveas, Deputy District Ranger Range Management Specialist Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger District (928) 527-8262 (928) 527-8214 ghase@fs.fed.us mchaveas@fs.fed.us For public information about the Forest: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/ For internal information about the Forest and District: http://fsweb.coconino.r3.fs.fed.us/ Page 4 of 5
OUTREACH RESPONSE FORM If you are interested in this position, please complete this form and send to ghase@fs.fed.us. If you do not have access to electronic mail, please complete the form and mail or fax to: Gary Hase, Jr., Peaks Ranger District, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004. Fax number 928-527-8288. I am interested in the following position: Position Title/Series/Grade: Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-0454-5/7/9 Location: Region 3, Coconino NF, Peaks Ranger District PERSONAL INFORMATION: Name: Date: Address: E-Mail Address: Phone: Current title/series/grade: Are you currently a Federal employee? YES NO IF YES: Current Agency and location: Type of Appointment: Permanent Term Temporary If you are not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee are you eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities: Person with Disabilities Veterans Readjustment Former Peace Corps Volunteer Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability Student Career Experience Program Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 Other Thank you for your interest. Page 5 of 5