The Malheur National Forest, Emigrant Creek Ranger District, will soon be advertising for
(1) PFT – GS-1001-05 Information Assistant position with a duty station of Hines, OR.
If interested, please fill out the outreach form at the bottom of this document and respond by June 24th to Terri Hellbusch, tlhellbusch@fs.fed.us Info Assistant Outreach 2013
THE POSITION:
Major Duties
Responsible as the forest/district collection officer for the sale of forest maps, passes and product permits. Maintains accurate records of sales to account for monies collected; prepares bill for collections, and transfers funds in a timely and accurate manner to lockbox. May work with the public affairs staff to develop informational publications, including information regarding the various forest permits (firewood, Christmas trees, etc), special events, recreational opportunities, travel management information. May develop, revise and update recreation opportunity guides using the latest technology to make information user friendly and timely.
Knowledge Required by the Position
Knowledge of use and development of public relations tools such as brochures, audio-visual materials, and equipment in order to present information regarding Forest Service programs. Knowledge of a large variety of reference sources to locate answers to visitors’ questions, and ability to use good judgment to recognize when to
refer questions to a qualified professional. Knowledge of the Forest Service mission and general Forest Service policies and specific forest/district programs to properly present information to the general public. Must be able to field a variety of questions from special interest groups on Forest Service policy. Ability to operate various
types of audio-visual equipment for the presentation of films, slides, and tape recordings. Skills in written and verbal communications are needed to give information/education walks, to successfully communicate with visitors, and to assist in the development of written interpretive materials. Practical skill in designing
and preparing informational exhibits which are clear and visually appealing.
LOCATION: This position is located at the Emigrant Creek Ranger District in Hines, OR.
The approximate population of Burns/Hines is 5500. As the service center for Harney County, an area roughly the size of the State of Massachusetts, Burns/Hines is a full-service community. There are two large grocery stores, hardware and ranch supply stores, clothing stores, several restaurants and large motels, two drug stores, several fitness centers, bed and breakfasts, two lumber yards, a number of service stations, as well as many other services and stores. The closest urban centers include Bend, Oregon (2 hours west), Ontario, Oregon (2 hours east), and Boise, Idaho (3.5 hours east).
There is a full set of schools, from kindergarten through high school. Extension campuses for both Treasure Valley Community College and Eastern Oregon University are located in the community.
A state of the art hospital and medical, dental, and optical clinics are located in Burns. There are three nursing homes and/or assisted care living facilities. Health programs include home health, hospice, public health, mental health, as well as specialized services such as orthopedic and fracture clinics, orthodontic services, and physical therapy.
Harney County has about 7600 residents, with Burns as the county seat. There are a number of other federal and state agencies in the community including Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Police, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Dept of Transportation, Employment, Family Services, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Station. The base economy is about evenly split between ranching, light manufacturing, and government.
Located at an elevation of 4142 feet, Burns/Hines is located at the transition between the shrub-steppe ecosystem of the High Desert and the ponderosa pine forest. Summers are warm (80-90’s), with low humidity, and cool summer nights. Winter days are cool (temps in 10-20’s), with little snowfall. Average snow depth in the valley is 1 foot or less; 3 feet or more in the mountains. Days are typically sunny in both winter and summer.
The area offers unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting (elk, deer, antelope, upland birds, waterfowl), fishing, horse riding, birding (especially during Spring migration), hiking, mountain biking/cycling, rock hounding, camping, dramatic scenery, history, winter sports such as cross country and back country skiing or snowmobiling. It offers wide open spaces for those seeking peace and solitude. Deer and quail are common residents in most neighborhoods within the community. Managed wild horse herds are still found throughout the Harney Basin.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE.
For more information on the area, you may contact the Harney County Chamber of Commerce at:
(541) 573-2636 or website – http://www.harneycounty.com/
Local Newspaper website – http://burnstimesherald.info/
