KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST

STUDENT HIRING

 Additional information is available at www.studentjobs.gov

STUDENTS HAVE 3 WAYS TO APPLY FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT

You need to be currently enrolled in accredited school, (HS, College, University or Tech school), be enrolled at least half time and in good standing, be attending school within eight months, be at least 18 years old to be considered for field employment and at least 16 years of age for office positions.

 1.  Noncompetitive Hiring:

      a.   Call hiring supervisors on districts and Supervisors Office.

      b.   Advise them that you are a student interested in working.

      c.   Work directly with a supervisor for placement.

      d.   If supervisor is interested in hiring you, you will need to complete the following

            Forms: application (OF-612 or equivalent), transcripts and Pre-Employment

 Qualifications for Student Temporary Employment (optional depending on the

 supervisor) (14-6100-6), and return forms to the supervisor.  You may be

 requested to e-mail the forms to the supervisor

Contact Numbers:

       Supervisor’s Office:    (406)293-6211

       Eureka/Rexford:          (406)296-2536

       Murphy Lake/Fortine: (406)882-4451

       Three Rivers-Troy:      (406)295-4693

       Canoe Gulch-Libby:    (406)293-7773

       Trout Creek-Cabinet:   (406)827-3533

 2.  Competitive Hiring:

       a.   Advise your schools Job Counselor that you are interested in a summer job.

       b.   Apply to vacancy when announced.

       c.   Follow directions for applying given in the announcement.

 3.  Temporary Employment Applicant Pool (Open to anyone.)

       Ref: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov for available opportunities. Complete the

      application package and return as directed in announcement.

2/14/2008

Northern Region National Forests/Grasslands

MONTANA

v Beaverhead-Deerlodge Nat’l Forest, Dillon, MT          420 Barrett St, Dillon, MT  59725-3572

                                                                                  Ph 406/683-3900

v Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, MT                   1801 N 1st St, Hamilton, MT 59840

                                                                                        Ph 406/363-7100

v Custer National Forest, Billings, MT                          1310 Main Street, Billings, MT  59105

                                                                                  Ph 406/657-6200

v Flathead National Forest, Kalispell, MT 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901

                                                                                        Ph 406/758-5204

v Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman, MT P O Box 130, Bozeman, MT 59771

                                                                                  Ph 406/587-6701

v Helena National Forest, Helena, MT                          2880 Skyway Dr, Helena, MT  59601

                                                                                  Ph 406/449-5201

v Kootenai National Forest, Libby, MT                          31374 US Highway 2, Libby, MT  59923

                                                                                        Ph 406/293-6211

v Lewis & Clark Nat’l Forest, Great Falls, MT                1101 15^th St, Great Falls, MT  59401

                                                                                  Ph 406/291-7700

v Lolo National Forest, Missoula, MT                           Bldg 24, Ft. Missoula, Missoula, MT 59804

                                                                                        Ph 406/329-3750

v Northern Region Headquarters, Missoula, MT            200 E Broadway

PO Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807

                                                                                        Ph 406/329-3511

IDAHO

v Clearwater National Forest, Orofino, ID 12730 Highway 12, Orofino, ID 83544

                                                                               Ph 208 476-4541

v Idaho Panhandle Nat’l Forest, Coeur d'Alene, ID     3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

                                                                                  Ph 208/765-7223

v Nez Perce National Forest, Grangeville, ID                 104 Airport Road, Grangeville, ID 83530

                                                                                  Ph 208/983-1950       

NORTH/SOUTH DAKOTA

v Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Bismarck, ND                   240 W. Century Ave, Bismarck, ND 58503

                                                                                        Ph 701/250-4443

STUDENT TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (STEP) PROGRAM INFORMATION U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service  Missoula, Montana 59807

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Q.  What is the Student Temporary Employment Program?

A.  This program provides an excellent opportunity for students to earn income to support their education, gain work experience and acquire job skills.  Students have the opportunity to learn about the Forest Service, establish agency contacts and demonstrate personal potential.  Many students are utilized on projects or activities related to their academic major.  Students also gain insight into academic courses it would be beneficial for them to take.

Q.  What types of work are students hired for?

A.  The Forest Service is responsible for managing nearly 200 million acres of publicly-owned lands.  Our mission is to “Care for the Land and Serve the People”.  We manage a multitude of resources for the benefit of many different segments of the public and are concerned with resources.   We utilize students as aids and technicians to assist agency personnel and work in the fields of engineering, wildlife, fisheries, timber, range, fire, recreation, wilderness, and other natural resource management activities.

Q.  What type of career opportunities are available with the Forest Service?

A.  The Forest Service offers exciting career opportunities in forestry, range, soil science, wildlife biology, engineering, landscape architecture, accounting, geology, hydrology, range, fisheries, public affairs, mining engineering, recreation, land surveying, ecology, botany, entomology, human resources, contracting, archeology and other fields.  Working in the Student Temporary Employment Programs can provide you with a better understanding of these careers.

Q.  What academic degree programs do you recruit students from?

A.  Most positions are filled by students enrolled in baccalaureate, graduate or other professional degree programs.  In some cases high school, associate, vocational/technical students may be recruited.

Q.  What academic majors do you recruit?

A.  Positions are filled with students majoring in a variety of academic fields including:  Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Botany, Ecology, Forestry, Range Science, Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Soil Science, Business Administration, Accounting, Landscape Architecture, Archeology and others.

Q.  Would I have to be majoring in one of the above fields to be considered?

A.  Not necessarily.  While we often look for students with specific academic majors, we have positions where students in any major could be utilized. 

Q.  How many temporary student positions do you fill?

A.  This varies depending on budget and work needs.  At the peak of the field season approximately 500 students may be working under this program in the Northern Region of the Forest Service.

Q.  Do you have any programs for students that lead to career positions with your agency?

A.  Yes.  Students who are selected and successfully complete the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) are provided with an opportunity to move into career positions.  (For further information about this program contact any of the listed offices.)

Q.  Do you have other programs that utilize students?

A. Yes.  Students can apply or respond to any vacancy announcement. Students are also sometimes used as volunteers.  Students interested in volunteer opportunities can contact any Forest Service Office.

Q.  How can I get academic credit for paid or volunteer work experience?

A.  Students who desire college credit for work experience are responsible for making arrangements with school officials, notifying their supervisor of any required materials or evaluation forms, and providing copies of any student reports.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

Q.  Do you have to be a U.S. citizen?

A.  No.  Under this program students from allied and certain other countries may be employed provided they have been issued an appropriate authorization.  If you are a foreign student you should contact your campus Foreign Student or career services office concerning Visas or other work authorization.

Q.  Is there a minimum age requirement?

A.  You must be at least 16 years of age. (Note: The minimum age for firefighting and other field positions is 18.)

Q.  Are there any physical requirements?

A.  Most field positions involve arduous physical activity at elevations up to 10,000 feet or more.  Individuals interested in these position should begin a strenuous aerobic and strength conditioning program 8 to 10 weeks prior to reporting for work.  Individuals selected for firefighting positions are required to have a medical examination and pass a work capacity test.

Q.  If I'm not a student now would I be eligible?

A.  To qualify for this program you must have student status.  This includes applicants who are transferring or have been accepted for post-secondary education.

Q.  Do I have to be a full-time student?

A.  No.  However, students must be taking at least a half-time course load.  A half-time load is usually defined as a minimum of 6 semester hours.

Q.  Is there a grade point average requirement?

A.  Students must be in good academic standing (cannot be on Academic Probation) as defined by the academic institution they are attending.

Q.  Are high school students or students in vocational programs eligible for this program?

A.  Yes.  However, the majority of positions are filled by college-level students.

Q.  Do you require academic transcripts?

A.  Yes.  Students are required to provide a copy of their transcripts or other proof of enrollment when applying for a position.  In addition, selected students are required to provide a copy of their academic transcript and course registration each school term.

Q.  Can I continue to work in this program after graduation?

A.  Not unless you have been accepted to an advanced degree program or otherwise continuing your education.

Q.  What determines if I'm qualified for a position?

A.   Work experience and education determines if you meet the qualification requirements for the position being filled.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Q.  If I am hired, when would I start work?

A.  Most work begins around mid-May or early June and lasts through August or mid-September.  Some opportunities are available for students to work while attending school.  Work schedules may be full-time, part-time, or a combination of both.

Q.  How would my hours be determined if I had the opportunity to work while attending school?

A.  The type of work, workloads, priorities, student availability, class schedules and several other factors have to be considered when developing work schedules.  Students and supervisors are encouraged to jointly develop work schedules which meet work needs and doesn't adversely impact the student’s studies (usually not more than 20 hours per week).

Q.  What expectations do you have of students?

A.  A lot!  Students are expected to demonstrate hard work, initiative, dependability, responsibility, punctuality, a positive attitude, adaptability, interest, diligence, communication skills, organization skills, interpersonal skills and be a team player.  The ability to live and work with individuals of varied backgrounds is essential. 

Q.  Can I work at the same location as one of my relatives under this program?

A.  It depends.  You can work in the same agency with a relative when there is no direct reporting relationship and the relative is not in a position to influence or control the student's appointment, promotion or advancement.

Q.  Under what circumstances could my employment be terminated?

A.  Possible examples include but are not limited to the following:

Q withdrawal, suspension or expulsion from school;

Q placement on academic probation, or failure to maintain acceptable academic status;

Q unsatisfactory work performance or conduct;

Q failure to enroll or satisfactorily complete a half-time credit schedule;

Q completion of education;

Q lack of work, funds or reorganization; or

Q other work related reasons, (i.e., inability to meet work requirements).

PAY & BENEFITS:

Q.  What's the pay and benefits?

A.  Earnings	Earnings vary from approximately $9 to nearly $12 per hour.  The rate of pay is based on the duties and responsibilities assigned and qualifications required to do the work. Students are paid every 2 weeks.
Paid Holidays	You would be paid for all legal holidays within your work schedule.
Sick Leave	Students working full-time earn 4 hours of paid sick leave every two weeks.  When in part-time status, students earn 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.
Annual Leave	Students who are employed for 90 days or more earn 1 hour of paid annual leave for every 20 hours worked in part-time status or 4 hours every 2 weeks when in full-time status.
Transportation	Transportation to and from the point of hire is the responsibility of the student unless specifically provided for by national, regional or other recruitment initiatives.
Housing	Government quarters (bunkhouses) are sometimes available.  Employees are charged a low fee per day for use of these facilities.
Incentives	Pay incentives and cash award systems are available for supervisors to recognize employee performance, special acts, and service.
Health Insurance	Students aren't generally entitled for health benefits unless they have been continuously employed for a year without a break in service exceeding 5 days.  Students who meet this requirement may enroll in health benefit programs, but they have to pay the employee and government share.
Life Insurance	Students in this program are not eligible for government life insurance.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND HOW TO APPLY:

Q.  When is the best time for a student to start looking for employment opportunities?

A.  While inquiries may be made at any time, we recommend that students contact Units regarding summer employment opportunities from January through March.

Q.  Where are the jobs located & who should I contact?

A.  Jobs are located in the Regional Office Headquarters, 13 National Forests/Grasslands, and 62 Ranger Districts throughout Montana, North Dakota, and Northern Idaho.  Students should contact personnel offices for those locations where they desire to work.