GS-0462

Forestry Technician

Performs technical forestry work including timber cruising, surveying, and forest management support.

📊Administrative📈GS-4/5/6/7/8/9📁0400

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Qualification Requirements

Official OPM qualification standards for GS-0462

Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions

Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0462:

Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Seasonal experience is creditable, where one season equals at least 3 continuous months. Experience thresholds: One season qualifies for GS-2; two seasons for GS-3; four seasons for GS-4.

Qualifying experience includes:

Forestry aid or technician work
Conservation technician roles involving application of cultural, resource conservation, or land management practices
Farming/ranching with application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices
Forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work

Education Requirements:

GS-3: Completion of 1 year of study with minimum 6 semester hours in range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics, or other natural or physical sciences
GS-4: Completion of 2 years with minimum 12 semester hours in forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, or wildland fire science (maximum 3 hours mathematics)
GS-5: Bachelor's degree with major in forestry, range management, agriculture, or related field; OR minimum 24 semester hours in courses listed above (maximum 6 hours mathematics)

Special Provisions:

Pilot Duties (Interior Department): Current FAA Commercial Airman Certificate with appropriate ratings, instrument rating, minimum 500 flight hours as Pilot-in-Command, 25 night hours, and current Class II Medical Certificate

Smokejumper Positions: Extensive medical requirements covering vision (20/20 corrected one eye), hearing, cardiovascular health, spine/extremities mobility, height (60-77 inches), weight (120-200 pounds), and tetanus immunization within 10 years

Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):

Grade	General Experience	Specialized Experience	Education
GS-2	1 season	None	High school diploma or equivalent
GS-3	2 seasons	None	1 year above high school
GS-4	4 seasons	6 months	2 years above high school
GS-5	None	1 year at GS-4 level	4-year bachelor's degree
GS-6+	None	1 year at next lower grade	Graduate education if directly related

🎖️Tips for Veterans

✓Translate military experience: Map duties to civilian terminology.
✓Highlight training: Include courses and certifications.
✓Veterans preference: Claim your 5 or 10-point preference.
✓Experience substitution: Military experience may substitute for education.

📋Typical Duties

•Conduct timber cruises and surveys
•Mark timber for harvest
•Monitor reforestation projects
•Collect forest data
•Support fire suppression
•Maintain boundary lines

🎯Key Competencies

Forestry Knowledge

Understanding of forest management practices.

Field Skills

Ability to conduct timber cruising and surveys.

Equipment Operation

Proficiency with forestry tools and instruments.

Data Collection

Skill in gathering and recording forest data.

Physical Ability

Capability to work in rugged outdoor conditions.

Fire Support

Ability to assist with fire suppression activities.

🔑Resume Keywords

Collect forest dataConduct timber cruises and surveysForestry TechnicianMaintain boundary linesMark timber for harvestMonitor reforestation projectsSupport fire suppression

💡 Use these phrases to help ATS systems find your qualifications.