When preparing your SOQ, please follow these guidelines:
• The information you provide must be complete and presented in a clear and concise manner.
• Responses must be typewritten using Arial 11-point font with margins no less than ½-inch.
• Limit your response to no more than three (3) typewritten pages, single-sided.
1. Please provide a description of how your background, training, education, experience, and skills qualify you for the position you are applying for.
2. This position will require you to manage and coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program at the Pacific Northwest Research Station and manage field data collection contracts. Please describe any and all relevant experience working with the FIA field-based monitoring program/data, or other relevant field-based monitoring protocols/data. Include any relevant experience in experimental design, field sampling methods for establishing baseline conditions and monitoring projects, integrating field-based FIA data with remote sensing data, contract writing and review, administration, data analysis, report development and involvement with science manuscripts particularly as they relate to forestry.
3. How is forest inventory data used to regulate forest management under a policy of sustained yield? What tools and methods are typically used in developing long-term management plans and harvest schedules? What sources of uncertainty or variability complicate long-term planning?
4. California’s forest practice regulations for sustained yield require that the major vegetation strata describing an analysis have inventory accuracy levels as measured by the Standard Error that are no greater than 15% of their respective inventory estimate. A forestry student working a summer job has carried out a systematic grid of fixed plots to assess baseline characteristics such as trees-per-acre, basal area, QMD and Scribner volume. This will be followed by running the inventory tree list through an Individual Tree Model to determine sustained yield. Results of the inventory sample produced a Coefficient of Variation of 100% and a Standard Error of 15%. What could you conclude about the sampling design if the objective was to assess stand dynamics and related growth in the determination of sustained yield?
5. How do you approach workplace conflict? Provide an example of successfully communicating with a coworker during a difficult or stressful situation. Has your approach changed over your professional career?
6. This position requires managing financial budgets and safely operating state vehicles across California, including high-traffic roads and hazardous, low-standard forest roads and trails. What personal or work-related evidence can you describe that demonstrates your competence in budget management and safe vehicle operation?
7. How do you maintain and use professional forestry literature, such as silviculture/mensuration/inventory texts, field guides, peer-reviewed publications, or regulatory references to support sound forest management decisions and your ongoing professional development?
NOTE: Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered. Resumes, letters and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.
Filing a job application “within the time” shall mean: applications must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or depositing with a parcel delivery or courier service no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement, provided that the parcel contains proof of a timely deposit with the parcel delivery or courier service or
- Date stamped at the appropriate office of the appointing power no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement
or
- Electronically transmitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the final filing date specified on the job vacancy announcement.
For the purposes of determining whether an application has been filed within the time as set forth above, any dates printed on mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology shall not be considered postmarks and, as such, are not acceptable proof of the date the application was filed.
A completed State Application (STD. 678), a Resume, and any other relevant documents (e.g. transcript copies, copies of degree(s), cover letter, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareer Account, by U.S. mail, or by dropping your application package off. Both addresses are listed in this Job Advertisement.
Please reference Job Control 507770 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section on the STD. 678. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please note you can only apply for one Job Control per application submission.
Candidate may be selected by Resume Review.
Temporary Appointments (TAU) may be considered if conditions warrant. TAU may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. TAU may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent or limited-term appointment.
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
