Recreation and Lands Program Planning and Administration - Provides expert technical direction and advice on unusual and unprecedented problems that require new approaches and techniques to be used in recreation program planning and administration. Provides leadership to Forest Supervisors and their staffs on a variety of problems related to recreation use management decisions, administration, and program implementation. Determines forest-wide requirements for recreation visitor use studies to monitor recreation use and visitor satisfaction.
Participates with Regional Forester's Staff, Experiment Station, Forest Supervisor, and other Staff Officers in the development of plans, programs and policies for the administration, protection, development and utilization of Forest recreation resources, cooperator uses and activities for maximum beneficial use and protection. Involved with Recreation Enhancement and Fee program. Heavily involved with the development of environmental documents which lead to national policy, such as use of commercial pack stock in wilderness areas, and the recreation residence permit renewal process.
Works in coordination with District Rangers and other Staff, establishing objectives and priorities and coordinating program activities. Directs the budget preparation for assigned program areas. Recommends the allocation of available funds to accomplish Forest-wide program of work. Represents the Forest in budget negotiations with the Regional Office. Provides assistance and recommendations to the Forest Supervisor and District Rangers to resolve complex issues. Provides leadership and coordination for National and Regional reviews. Oversees the development and negotiation of Memorandums of Understanding and Cooperative Agreements with other Federal agencies and organizations within state and local governments. Monitors on-going programs and visits field units to evaluate compliance with policies, objectives and standards, overall effectiveness of operations, and to provide technical assistance in the solution of specific local problems. Institutes changes in operating procedures or programs to increase effectiveness or correct practices in violations of established regulations or procedures. Plans and directs administrative studies designed to analyze results of efforts and to develop more effective methods of output, program delivery or accomplishments. Serves as acting Forest Supervisor with full authority and responsibility for coordinating and directing all activities and matters not in conflict with established policy.
Provides leadership and guidance in forest land administration, including, but not limited to, special uses, easements grants, memorandums of understanding, rights-of-way acquisition, exchange, purchase, land line location, and land status maintenance.
Develops regional special use authorization standards and management guidelines to ensure effective, consistent program management and coordination of land use activity with other resources and activities. Institutes or recommends changes in operating procedures or special use programs to increase effectiveness of operations and to provide technical assistance in the solution of specific local problems. Works with special use authorization applicants and Forest representatives as regional representative in developing appropriate procedures and techniques for complex or problem projects.
Develops and recommends policies, plans, budgets, standards, and procedures for accomplishing immediate and long-range purchase acquisition goals and objectives, based on the availability of funds for accomplishment. Provides technical advice, training, and guidance on regulations and procedural requirements for land donation, exchange, and purchase programs. Maintains a high level of familiarization with Federal laws, regulations, and policies that apply to the purchase of lands for National Forest purposes.
Recreation Program Coordination and Liaison Functions - Provides leadership in the development and management of partnerships with a wide range of natural resources interests groups and constituencies. Recognizes need and organizes and directs training in new or improved management practices and techniques. Evaluates and synthesizes current studies and reports related to assigned activities. Distributes information for use on Ranger Districts.
Serves as Forest Supervisor Representative in contacts and negotiations with State agencies, representatives from other Federal agencies, and public and private organizations coordinating forest recreation and wilderness plans and programs with the related activities of such activities and in solving mutual problems. Responsible for maintaining complex collaborative relationships with public and private organizations, other federal agencies and tribal members in order to maintain complex collaborative relationships relative to recreation and special uses. Represents forest as a professional technical expert working with other federal agencies, private interest groups, consultants, professional societies, interest groups, cooperators, attorneys, and the courts.
Develops and promotes an effective information and education program using research data and results from field surveys and project work. Makes written and oral presentations to professional, civic, school, and/or special interest groups to promote interest in and gain acceptance for agency multiple-use programs. Replies to correspondence from parties interested in natural resources activities and issues within the area. Handles correspondence, prepares reports and develops manual and handbook supplements pertaining to natural resources programs. Responsible for compliance and enforcement of safety rules and regulations.
Project Planning - Serves as a technical specialist in coordinating and integrating the planning, programming, development, oversight, scheduling, and overall management of resources for multi-phase projects. Maintains a schedule of progress and takes remedial action when required. Reviews resources estimates and uses the information to ensure proper distribution of project resources. Keeps abreast of changes and cost variations from design through construction or installation to ensure timely completion and within budget.
Conducts reviews and studies of both a general and functional nature affecting recreation and wilderness management and overall forest programs. Inspects field recreation and wilderness activities to determine adequacy of plans, programs, policies and administration. On a regular basis, undertakes special studies developed through analysis of problem areas in Forest administration. Serves as an expert in providing direction and coordination in the design, development, and adaptation of mathematical, statistical, and econometric methods and techniques to analyze and support land management systems at the forest level.
Collaborates with appropriate staff to develop and maintain a 5-year program document for 5-year program planning and budgeting. Coordinates the Program Document with the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LMP) so that it serves as an LMP implementation plan. Coordinates with the District Rangers and their biologists to develop annual plans of work consistent with 5-year natural resources plan objectives.
Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary planning team responsible for the development and implementation of Forest Land Management Plan according to the National Forest Management Act of 1976 and the Planning Regulations as amended. Provides or oversees the collection and interpretation of functional data and monitoring of the plan. Provides expertise in an interdisciplinary approach throughout the implementation actions. Prepares standards, guidelines, and prescriptions for natural resources management. Develops policies, procedures, or techniques to solve problems that require adaptations or extensions of existing Action Plans and Natural Resources Management Plans.
Designs, develops, adapts and implements a variety of analyses techniques, information systems, and planning systems in coordination with resource analysis procedures related to natural resource management planning activities in an organization with subordinate field activities. Develops and maintains the process requirements and new analytical techniques for use in land and resource management planning for development and/or amendment of land management plans.
Provides full operational support for the basic land and resource management planning computer-aided techniques including linear programming, simulation, network analyses, sensitivity analyses, parametric ranging and linkages to other land and resource programs and procedures, and a variety of other computer-aided sources. Conducts testing to determine whether existing analytical techniques can be applied to the developmental or operational stages of the planning process. Devises methods to rapidly convert new or existing analytical techniques from the developmental or research stage into operational status for field use to meet analysis needs.
Coordinates land and resource management planning and, in some cases, short term land management planning amendment process. Coordinates with specialists and interdisciplinary teams, providing leadership in analytical methods and data development. Assists in defining the approach and specific processes for carrying out the organization's planning activities. Uses state-of-the-art techniques and develops new approaches, instructions and guidelines where these have not previously existed in the organization. Provides training and support to these activities.
Advises management regarding appropriate procedures in the use of analytical tools and information systems, and ensures NEPA and NFMA regulations are followed.
Supervisory and/or Managerial Responsibilities - Supervises three or more employees performing work at the GS-12 level. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit.
Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.
Furnishes employee assignments and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm; refers matters that exceed the incumbents authority to higher levels of management for decision. Complies with occupational safety and health standards applicable to USDA FS and with all rules, regulations, and orders issued by USDA FS with respect to the occupational safety and health program.
Ensures a continuing affirmative application of USDA FS policies concerning equal opportunity. Ensures that personnel management within the organizational entity under supervision is accomplished without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Is responsible for keeping abreast of developments, policy issuances, and other similar material in the equal opportunity field, and for fully supporting USDA FS Equal Opportunity Program. Specifically, initiates nondiscriminatory practices and affirmative action for the area under his/her supervision in the following: merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; fair treatment of all employees; encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; career development of employees; and full utilization of their skills.
