Internal Revenue Service

Forester

WHY IS THE IRS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK? Add it up. Here you will excel with one of the largest financial institutions in the world and be part of one of the most well trained, professional workforces anywhere. Be among the best in your field and put your professional skills to work from Day 1. Career Progression-We provide outstanding advancement opportunities. Stability-We're a proven commodity. Benefits-They're simply outstanding. It all adds up. WHAT IS THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE? The IRS is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and one of the world's most efficient tax administrators. Yearly, the IRS collects more than $2 trillion in revenue and processes over 200 million tax returns. The IRS Mission is to provide the United States taxpayers top quality service by helping them to understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. WHAT IS THE LMSB DIVISION? The Large and Mid-Size Business Division (LMSB) conducts examinations and related investigations of corporations and businesses with revenue in excess of $10 million. WHAT DOES A Forester DO? As a Forester in the IRS you'll use your skills and knowledge of forestry industry practices to administer tax law. You'll provide expert technical advice and input to field investigations of large and complex organizations, including such timber issues as valuation, timber volume estimates, and economic production feasibility. You will apply your specialized industry knowledge to tax issues, such as casualty loss computations, road costs and depreciation, contributions, basis, depletion, abandonments, purchase allocations and timber and timberland valuations. Please note: Selections are anticipated to be made from qualifying applicants who applied prior to the first cutoff date of 3/26/2010. The anticipate entry date for this cutoff is 6/21/2010. Selections made from remaining qualified applicants and those who apply prior to the next anticipate date of 6/4/2010 will have an anticipate entry date of 9/13/2010. KEY REQUIREMENTS: You must be a citizen of the United States. Males born after 12/31/59 - Selective Service Registration required. Moving expenses are NOT authorized. Up to 50% travel may be required Back to top Duties Additional Duty Location Info: Birmingham, AL; Jackson, MS As a Forester, you will independently conduct investigations of forest products valuation issues of tax returns filed by very complex organizations. The examination requires special ability and a highly advanced knowledge of forest products valuation principles, tax law and industry practices. Cases referred contain a wide variety of unusually difficult and complex valuation, legal and tax issues of major significance which are likely to set important precedents in the field. These cases require familiarity with many sections of the Internal Revenue Code and Income Tax Regulations. Back to top Qualifications and Evaluations QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: To be minimally qualified for Forestry positions, you must meet the basic requirement (positive education/experience requirement) below. A. Bachelor's degree obtained from an accredited college or university in forestry or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours of course work were in forestry. The curriculum must have been sufficiently diversified to include courses in each of the following areas: Management of Renewable Resources--study of the science and art of managing renewable resources to attain desired results. Examples of creditable courses in this area include silviculture, forest management operations, timber management, wildland fire science or fire management, utilization of forest resources, forest regulation, recreational land management, watershed management, and wildlife or range habitat management. Forest Biology--study of the classification, distribution, characteristics, and identification of forest vegetation, and the interrelationships of living organisms to the forest environment. Examples of creditable courses in this area include dendrology, forest ecology, silvics, forest genetics, wood structure and properties, forest soils, forest entomology, and forest pathology. Forest Resource Measurements and Inventory--sampling, inventory, measurement, and analysis techniques as applied to a variety of forest resources. Examples of creditable courses include forest biometrics, forest mensuration, forest valuation, statistical analysis of forest resource data, renewable natural resources inventories and analysis, and photogrammetry or remote sensing. OR B. A combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major in forestry, or at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours were in forestry. The requirements for diversification of the 24 semester hours in forestry are the same as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GRADE 13 In addition to meeting the basic requirement (positive education/experience) outlined above, you must meet the specific grade requirement below for GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the normal line of progression of this position in the Federal government. Specialized experience is experience that is related to the work of this position and has provided you with the competencies required for successful job performance. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as forestry work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of forestry and related disciplines; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to forestry problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional forestry knowledge and ability. Professional knowledge of forestry includes knowledge of: (1) timber and timberland valuation methodologies; (2) timber cruising and grading for timber volume inventories; (3) logging road construction and costing; (4) general silvicultural applications; and (5) general forest products industry practices and procedures. Applicants must have basic experience in at least one or more of these areas of knowledge. Also, experience should include use of effective communications skills to prepare oral and written technical/valuation findings. General clerical/administrative experience is not qualifying. Travel and Training: Newly assigned employees may be provided with a combination of classroom and on-the-job instruction focused on the operations of the organization and enhancing their knowledge. EVALUATION OF FOREIGN EDUCATION: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts; to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work, including grade and credit conversion, and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation as supporting documentation. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify at the time of appointment that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: You will be assigned to one of three category groups (A, B, or C) based on the results of the online assessment. Each category group represents a quality level. Candidates will be considered in category group order. Qualified veterans claiming preference based on a service-connected disability of 30% or more (CPS) or 10% but less than 30% (CP) will be listed at the top of their assigned category group (A, B, or C) and will be provided absolute preference over non-preference eligibles. All other preference eligibles (XP and TP) will also be provided absolute preference over non-preference eligibles within their assigned category group (A, B, or C). To pass over any qualified preference eligible(s) to select a non-preference eligible requires approval under formal objection procedures. Note: You may be "tentatively" assigned to a category group pending qualifications validation and assessment results. Final category assignment does not occur until referral on a certificate. JOB-RELATED QUESTIONS: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your possession of the following Forester competencies: Financial Management Analysis: Knowledge of financial business and industry practices; assesses the financial conditions of an individual, business, or organization. Forest Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles and theories of silviculture and forest ecology, forest use, management, harvesting, conducting inventories, regeneration, sustainability, and conservation; and the role of disturbances in timberland resources. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. Oral Communication/Speaking: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations. Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Technology Application: Uses machines, tools, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. If you are referred for consideration, you may be interviewed before selection. The interview focuses on the competencies listed above and is intended to supplement the information provided in your online application. NOTE: IRS will not reimburse costs associated with travel to and from the interview. To preview questions please click here. Back to top Benefits and Other Info BENEFITS: This is a permanent, career-conditional appointment. If selected, you will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave, Thrift Savings Plan with government contributions and will be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Note: The IRS affords quality of life with a 40-hour work week. OTHER INFORMATION: Applicants must be in compliance with the tax laws. Your income tax returns will be verified for the past three years to determine if you have filed according to the tax laws. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Citizenship: Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. Applicants for this announcement must be a U.S. citizen and a minimum of 16 years of age. Selections for employment depend upon several conditions such as the number of vacancies, assessment score, shift availability and work history. In addition, applicants are subject to an FBI name and fingerprint check, employment checks, and any other information relevant to selection for employment. Not all eligible applicants are selected for employment. If selected, you will be notified and given a commitment letter. A determination will be made as to your suitability for federal employment. All appointments are made subject to an investigation. Any arrests, discharges from employment, or other information not shown on the application could affect your selection and/or retention in the service. Probationary period: Every applicant selected from a competitive list of eligibles for a Career or Career Conditional appointment must serve a one (1) year probationary period. Applicants selected under a Term appointment must serve a (1) year trial period. Reinstatement applicants will be required to serve the one (1) year probationary period unless the probationary period has already been completed. Applicants appointed under the Veterans Recruitment Authority will require a two (2) year trial period. AGENCY CONTACT: For additional information about this position, please contact: lmsbextapps@irs.gov or if applicable contact the Selective Placement Coordinator Colleen Fox at 215-516-4400 Option 1. If selected, identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote you at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval, the continuing need for an actual assignment, and performance of higher level duties. NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has oversight and investigative responsibilities throughout IRS. TIGTA has authority to initiate investigations to identify IRS employees who have violated or are violating laws, rules or regulations related to the performance of their duties. TIGTA does this in part through computer matching programs. TIGTA computerized matches include information from Personnel records, taxpayer account records, records of computerized accesses to IRS information, employee tax records and records of employee computer usage (i.e. the Internet and other research tools). THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT ALL EMPLOYEES PERFORM IN A MANNER WARRANTING THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND DEMONSTRATES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ETHICS AND INTEGRITY. APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH A PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION (PIV) PROCESS THAT REQUIRES TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION FROM THE FORM I-9; ONE MUST BE A VALID STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PICTURE IDENTIFICATION. ELIGIBILITY FOR A PIV CREDENTIAL IS REQUIRED. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PIV PROCESS AND IF UNABLE TO VERIFY THE APPLICANT'S IDENTITY, MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PIV CREDENTIAL, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A SUCCESSFULLY ADJUDICATED FBI CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK (FINGERPRINT CHECK) AND A NACI OR EQUIVALENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INITIATED. EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN PIV CREDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY DURING THEIR SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. SELECTION FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE BASED SOLELY ON MERIT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL OR FAMILY STATUS, MEMBERSHIP IN AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION OR OTHER NON MERIT FACTORS. Reminder: Your resume must provide sufficient information to support your responses to the following questions. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. Your answers are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process will be used to verify your stated level of experience and capability. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you. NOTE: You will obtain credit for any qualifying education you expect to complete in the near future, please check the announcement to see what the required completion date is for the next hire. If you do not meet the education requirements by the completion date, please submit your application and you will be considered for future hires if your education is completed by the next established completion date. Note: All applicants are REQUIRED to submit all undergraduate and graduate college transcripts, including transcripts from transfer schools no later than the date indicated in the announcement. Transcripts may be unofficial at the time of application, but an official transcript is required if a job offer is extended. Back to top How To Apply HOW TO APPLY: Individuals applying for this announcement are required to complete and submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website. This involves becoming a My USAJOBS member and creating a resume. The information you provide through your My USAJOBS membership profile and resume is required of all Federal job applicants. When you apply for this vacancy announcement, the information you entered in your profile and resume are transmitted to CareerConnector as part of your application and are used to create a CareerConnector registration. In addition to CareerConnector registration questions, the online application includes questions that: - determine basic eligibility; - assess required competencies for successful job performance; and - provide information for survey purposes. To apply for this announcement you will need to answer approximately 24 questions. The total number of questions will depend on the grade you select and your responses to each question. To apply, you must select the APPLY ONLINE button that appears at the bottom of each announcement tab on USAJOBS. This will start the application process and take you to CareerConnector to complete your application. Your application is NOT complete until you have answered all mandatory questions and have SUBMITTED the online application. You can respond to some or all questions without submitting. Your answers can be saved and you can update or submit your application as long as the announcement is open. However, you MUST respond to all mandatory questions and SUBMIT your application by the closing date to be considered. If applying on-line poses a hardship, please contact us at the telephone number listed in this announcement. YOU MUST CONTACT US PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Please note that we use e-mail to communicate with applicants throughout the hiring process. We understand that this may not be the best way to contact all applicants. To ensure that we can contact you quickly, you will be asked several questions about your communication preferences in the application process. There are several parts of the application process that will affect your overall evaluation: 1. Your on-line resume (See Step 1 below); 2. Your responses to the eligibility questions; 3. Your responses to the vacancy assessment questions; and 4. Submission of supporting documentation (See instructions under the Required Documentation" section of this posting). You have until 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on September 30, 2010 to complete the following four-step application process. STEP 1: To apply, you must first create a My USAJOBS membership account and resume at www.usajobs.opm.gov. You can build up to 5 resumes in your My USAJOBS account and will need to select one of these resumes as part of your application for this vacancy announcement. Once you have created your My USAJOBS account and built a resume, thoroughly review this vacancy announcement, select the "Apply Online" button, and follow the instructions provided. Note: We recommend that you use the preview questions option provided at the bottom of the Qualifications and Evaluations tab of this announcement to review and print a copy of the qualification questions before you select the "Apply Online" button. STEP 2: After selecting a resume to submit for your application package, you will be taken to CareerConnector to answer registration questions and specific questions for this vacancy announcement. The answers to the registration questions will determine what types of jobs you are eligible to apply for based on your Federal experience and other factors. Note: If you have previously registered in CareerConnector, you will not be required to re-register. STEP 3: Next, you will answer a series of vacancy specific questions to evaluate your qualifications for this announcement. When completed and submitted, this information with your CareerConnector registration, My USAJOBS account profile, and your resume become your application. Once you submit your completed application by answering all mandatory questions and selecting "Finished", you will see a summary of your application which we recommend that you print for future reference. If you do NOT see this summary, you have NOT successfully submitted your application. A complete application must be received by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date of this announcement in order to receive consideration. Note: At the bottom of your application summary, you should select "Finished" again. This will return you to USAJOBS where you will see confirmation that your resume was sent to this vacancy announcement. You will then be able to track the status of your application through your My USAJOBS account. STEP 4: Submit Supporting Documentation: Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information on supporting documentation. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If your contact information changes after the closing date of this vacancy announcement, send your updated information to lmsbextapps@irs.gov to ensure you can be contacted throughout the selection process. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: In addition, you may need to submit supporting documentation. If you are qualifying for this position in whole or part based on education, you must submit college transcripts for all courses completed. If you are claiming veteran's preference or eligibility for special priority consideration, you must submit the documents described under "VETERAN'S PREFERENCE" and IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES" below. All supporting documentation must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on September 30, 2010. Failure to provide supporting documentation within the prescribed period will result in disqualification or ineligibility for preference/priority consideration. Note: Although a copy of your transcripts is acceptable for application processing, an official transcript will be required for selection. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to vacancy questions), the following forms may be required: * DD-214 if claiming Veterans' Preference. * Standard Form 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference and supporting documents (if applicable). * Official College Transcripts (copies will be accepted initially, however, prior to selection eligible applicants must submit official transcripts to the hiring personnel office). * Equivalency Evaluation from an accredited private organization of foreign education if applicable. * SF-50 - If you are or have been a Federal employee, please submit: ** copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action, Form SF-50; and ** copy of your most recent or last performance appraisal. Note: If you need to request a copy of your SF-50, please write to the FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER, National Archives and Records Administration, 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63118. You must provide your name, social security number and date of birth with your request. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE WILL RESULT IN NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Note: Your application package will not be returned. Do NOT submit original documents that you may need in the future. VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you have served on active duty in the United States military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veteran's preference. To claim veterans' preference, you must submit: * Form DD214 covering the period of military service for which preference is claimed; and * If applicable, a Standard Form 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference with supporting documents as outlined on the form. This form can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp. Note: For more information on veteran's preference, please go to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website for Veterans at www.opm.gov/veterans. CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLES: Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must apply as indicated above. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who receive a score of 80 or above will be considered well qualified. If you are seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility consideration, you must submit proof that you meet the requirement of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent Performance Rating and copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. REASONABLE ACCOMODATION STATEMENT: The Internal Revenue Service provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Selective Placement Coordinator listed in this vacancy announcement. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case- by-case basis. If you have been certified by the States Rehabilitation Center or the State's Commission for the Blind, you may wish to contact your counselor to apply for employment through the IRS Disability Employment Program in addition to applying for this vacancy announcement. INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMITT DOCUMENTATION TO CARCON Please return to your My USAJOBS account to submit the documents requested above. Instructions: 1. Log into My USAJOBS at https://my.usajobs.gov with your username and password. 2. Click on 'My Applications" link. 3. Click on the vacancy title link and click "More Information" 4. On the Application Detail page, click "Review and Update". 5. Select an option (Upload, USAJOBS, or Fax) for the document(s) requested above. To Upload Documents maximum 2MB(.doc, .pdf, .jpg, .gif, .rtf, or .png files only:) 1. Clock the Upload link under "Action" for each document to be uploaded. 2. Fill in the description field. 3. Enter the location of the document to be uploaded or click "Browse" to locate the document. 4. Click "Upload Document." To Fax Documents: 1. Click the Fax link under "Action" for each document to be faxed. 2. Click "Generate Cover Sheet" and print the cover sheet. 3. Fax each set (cover sheet and document named in the cover sheet) to the fax number on the cover sheet. You must dial the fax number each time a different set is faxed. 4. If you fax from an IRS-owned fax machine, you must obtain an outside line before dialing the fax number on the cover sheet. Download documents from USAJOBS: 1. Click the USAJOBS link under "Action" for each document to be downloaded. 2. Select any document you have stored in "My Portfolio" of your "My USAJOBS" account. Reuse existing document 1. Click the Reuse existing document link to view and/or select any document you have previously added to the system. After your documents have been submitted, review your complete application for confirmation of the documents and click "Finish" to return to USAJOBS. AGENCY CONTACT INFO: Colleen Fox Phone: 215-516-4400 Option 1 Fax: 000-000-0000 TDD: 215-516-1299 Email: lmsbextapps@irs.gov Agency Information: Internal Revenue Service Philadelphia Employment Branch - Section IV 11601 Roosevelt Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19154 Fax: 000-000-0000 WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: We will communicate with you using e-mail throughout the hiring process. You will receive an electronic Notice of Rating that will provide you with information regarding your eligibility for the occupations covered under this announcement. We encourage you as the applicant to modify your spam blocker (if applicable) to accept incoming messages from our e-mail address lmsbextapps@irs.gov, otherwise you will be unable to receive correspondence from our office.

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