Wednesday, October 31, 2007


Outreach: Resource Assistant

OUTREACH ANNOUNCEMENT
Resource Assistant
Series/Grade: GS-1101-6 *

NATIONAL FORESTS IN ALABAMA
TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST – OAKMULGEE DISTRICT

The Talladega National Forest – Oakmulgee District is looking for a dynamic, energetic individual with strong organization and accounting skills, plus a love of the outdoors. The incumbent will join a highly motivated team of employees providing essential financial tracking and accountability services.
The incumbent will be responsible for the District’s timber statement of accounts program providing service to timber purchasers as well as District and Forest sales staff. In addition the incumbent will be responsible for data entry, tracking, and management of several accounts stemming from receipts returned to the Forest Service for specific tasks. Other duties will include small purchases of transactions less than $2,500; various fiscal support operations; files and records management;
developing written documents including official correspondence; communication with the public regarding District policy and procedures; and report compilation. Knowledge of, or the demonstrated ability to quickly learn, the various Forest Service corporate databases and management systems is required.
In addition to the database and accounting work, the incumbent will need to have a working knowledge of the resource management programs implemented by the Oakmulgee District. The incumbent will be called on to assist field-going staff with project level work. This work will require abilities to work outdoors in various conditions, as well as driving on gravel roads. Knowledge of GIS, GPS and orienteering will be an asset. The incumbent must have a strong desire to adapt current technologies, explore new methods, and expand partnerships in response to these challenges. Ability to work in a team environment with a focus on the whole is required.

THE OAKMULGEE DISTRICT:
The Oakmulgee District lies in west-central Alabama with nearby population centers including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. West Alabama contains some of the state’s poorest counties, yet it hosts a reservoir of private citizens and public servants that are dedicated to responsible economic growth focusing on the areas of natural resources and cultural history. This provides the Oakmulgee with an array of partnership opportunities to help market its many resources and values. Conversely
partnerships with adjacent landowners, industry, and other land management agencies remain an untapped resource. The incumbent will be expected to play a supportive role in positioning the District for successful relationships within this unique landscape.

DISTRICT LOCATION AND SURROUNDING AREA
The District encompasses approximately 157,000 acres in six west-central Alabama counties. Currently about 18 District permanent employees provide stewardship responsibilities for these lands, with support and guidance from the Supervisor’s Office in Montgomery, AL. The Supervisor’s Office is approximately 1 ½ hours away and can be easily visited in a day. The Oakmulgee District Office is located at 9901 Highway 5, Brent AL, near the 4-way stop at the intersection of Highway 5 and University Highway. This is lease property and a new office will need to be secured within the next five years. The District work-center is less than five miles away located on Bear Creek road, just off Highway 5.

Salary: http://www.opm.gov/oca/07tables/
Housing: No government quarters are available.
Links: Additional information may be researched through the following web links:
The Bibb County Chamber of Commerce - http://www.bibbchamber.org
The Bibb County Industrial Development Authority - http://www.bibbcountyida.com
The West Alabama Hunting & Fishing Trail -
http://www.westalabamahuntingandfishingtrail.com
Heritage and nature-based tourism - http://www.alabamacanebrake.org
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce - http://www.tuscaloosachamber.com
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - http://www.outdooralabama.com
For additional information on duties and responsibilities, contact:
Cynthia Ragland, District Ranger -- 205-926-9765 (ext 226); cragland@fs.fed.us

* This position description for this job has not yet been officially classified. The anticipated
series is 1101, however that could change.

Please respond to: Cynthia Ragland Phone: 205-926-9765 (ext 226)
9901 Highway 5 Fax: 205-926-9712
Brent, AL 35034
cragland@fs.fed.us
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME:_________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS:_______________________________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER:_________________________________________________
CURRENT SERIES AND GRADE:_________________________________________
ARE YOU CURRENTLY A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? YES___ NO___
IF YES, CURRENT AGENCY AND LOCATION:____________________________
Please Respond By: November 23, 2007

Thank you for your interest!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or
marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,
write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Heritage Day at Payne Lake- from USFS

Saturday, October 13, 2007
1:30 PM—3:00 PM

Spillway Pavilion

Please join us for a fall afternoon by the lake. Documenting our heritage will help each of us re-connect to the land,and provide a template for helping future generations appreciate the rich heritage and culture of this area.

Attention all front porch historians, folklorists, genealogists, and those interested in how the land and the people came together to shape this place we call home!! There is an ongoing effort to have the Alabama Black Belt and surrounding lands designated as a National Heritage Area. To be included in this effort we are challenged to identify and research our local heritage, especially as it relates to the forest and nearby communities. Judy Martin and students from Judson College will be on hand to facilitate the process and document your stories. In the coming months we will complete the research and provide the attendees with a summary of the stories collected. Over time the stories will be submitted for inclusion in the Black Belt Heritage Area designation and they may be developed as interpretive opportunities. The designation would give international attention to the region which is important for its history and impact on race relations, culture, recreation, and natural resources.

Caring for the Land, Serving People

For additional info:
Judy B. Martin
Telephone 334.683.8891
E-mail: jujolmart@bellsouth.net

Cindy Ragland
Telephone 205-926-9765 (ext 226)
E-mail: cragland@fs.fed.us

Matt Hartzell
Telephone: 205-926-3117
Email: mdh0007@auburn.edu

What is a National Heritage Area?
A "National Heritage Area" is a place designated by the United
States Congress where natural, cultural, historic and recreational
resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape
arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography.
These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the
national experience through the physical features that remain and
the traditions that have evolved in the areas.

The Blocton Book is Back in Print!

The Blocton history is being reprinted! Tell family and friends--let me know if you need ordering instructions--names and addresses will be appreciated.
Chas.

Charles E. Adams
3331 Arcadia Drive
Tuscaloosa, Al. 35404
phone: 205 553 5926
E-mail cadams1101@aol.com