US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region 6 Oregon Washington Schedule A Hiring Authority

3. Schedule A – 101 Make it easier for individuals with disabilities to “get a job” Reality: Supervisors don’t know a lot about the use of Schedule A; often times HR personnel don’t know much or promote the use of Schedule A. You might know more about Schedule A than Forest Service personnel – that’s OK.. Use your knowledge to assist placement of your clients/customers. Reality is: you often have to know someone within the Agency in order to be considered under Schedule A, or to find out about vacant positions Your clients have to deal with the stereotypes of selecting an individual with a “disability” Qualify: interpretation is open to each federal agency. The Forest Service relies on the certification letter. Schedule A – 101 Make it easier for individuals with disabilities to “get a job” Reality: Supervisors don’t know a lot about the use of Schedule A; often times HR personnel don’t know much or promote the use of Schedule A. You might know more about Schedule A than Forest Service personnel – that’s OK.. Use your knowledge to assist placement of your clients/customers. Reality is: you often have to know someone within the Agency in order to be considered under Schedule A, or to find out about vacant positions Your clients have to deal with the stereotypes of selecting an individual with a “disability” Qualify: interpretation is open to each federal agency. The Forest Service relies on the certification letter.

4. What types of jobs does the Forest Service have that qualify for Schedule A Biologists such as Wildlife, Fisheries, Plants Scientists such as Soils, Hydrology, Silviculturists Civil Engineers and Civil Engineering Technicians Foresters and Forestry Technicians Geographic Information Specialists (GIS) Information Technology Administrative – Info Receptionists; Clerks; Procurement/Purchasing Heavy equipment operators and maintenance workers Recreation Technicians Any and All positions qualify for selection under Schedule A. The Forest Service in OR/WA has a workforce of approximately 3,800 permanent employees. We hire approximately 2500 individuals in summer/seasonal positions. Of the 3,800 permanent employees, 1% (38) are individuals with targeted disabilities. There are approximately 7.5% individuals with any type of reportable disability.. So a total of 8.5% or 319 employees with disabilities. In FY 2009, the Forest Service in OR/WA utilized Schedule A to fill 38 positions. A combination of permanent and temporary type positions. Schedule A is most notable known for filling entry level (GS 2-4) clerical type positions. We’d like to change that to be inclusive of all occupations. The individual has to be qualified (per OPM standards) and able to perform the essential functions (embedded in the position description) of the position with or without Reasonable Accommodation. The Forest Service has a proactive reasonable accommodation policy and process. All jobs are related in pay to the General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade pay scales and individuals have to meet the requisite qualifications for those series and pay levels. The Forest Service, R6 has 17 National Forests/National Scenic Area scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest with nearly 75 offices in rural remote and urban settings. We have offices in nearly every town that OVRS has offices in. Any and All positions qualify for selection under Schedule A. The Forest Service in OR/WA has a workforce of approximately 3,800 permanent employees. We hire approximately 2500 individuals in summer/seasonal positions. Of the 3,800 permanent employees, 1% (38) are individuals with targeted disabilities. There are approximately 7.5% individuals with any type of reportable disability.. So a total of 8.5% or 319 employees with disabilities. In FY 2009, the Forest Service in OR/WA utilized Schedule A to fill 38 positions. A combination of permanent and temporary type positions. Schedule A is most notable known for filling entry level (GS 2-4) clerical type positions. We’d like to change that to be inclusive of all occupations. The individual has to be qualified (per OPM standards) and able to perform the essential functions (embedded in the position description) of the position with or without Reasonable Accommodation. The Forest Service has a proactive reasonable accommodation policy and process. All jobs are related in pay to the General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade pay scales and individuals have to meet the requisite qualifications for those series and pay levels. The Forest Service, R6 has 17 National Forests/National Scenic Area scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest with nearly 75 offices in rural remote and urban settings. We have offices in nearly every town that OVRS has offices in.

5. What are the benefits of Schedule A? Taps into a talent pool that is largely untouched It helps individuals with disabilities to get, keep, and advance in federal jobs that are matched to their skills and abilities People that meet the criteria and have documentation can be selected for positions without competition For any type of vacant position By utilizing Schedule A to fill a vacancy, an agency can avoid using the traditional, and sometime lengthy, competitive hiring process. The Forest Service has a goal that 3% of the total workforce population is an individual with a targeted disability. Nationally, the Forest Service is .9%. Temporary: (in lieu of job readiness certification), to determine job readiness and continued employment A time-limited: ( provides disability documentation and Job certification) when the duties of job do not require it to be filled on a permanent basis Permanent: when proof of disability and job readiness is provided All under “excepted service” which can be converted to “competitive service” after meeting requirements. By utilizing Schedule A to fill a vacancy, an agency can avoid using the traditional, and sometime lengthy, competitive hiring process. The Forest Service has a goal that 3% of the total workforce population is an individual with a targeted disability. Nationally, the Forest Service is .9%. Temporary: (in lieu of job readiness certification), to determine job readiness and continued employment A time-limited: ( provides disability documentation and Job certification) when the duties of job do not require it to be filled on a permanent basis Permanent: when proof of disability and job readiness is provided All under “excepted service” which can be converted to “competitive service” after meeting requirements.

6. What type of documentation is needed? To certify a disability and job readiness the Forest Service requires a letter from: A licensed medical professional, or A licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., State or private), or Any Federal agency, state agency, that issues or provides disability benefits (SSA) The FS accepts letters (see example) and resume’s.. That’s all a supervisor is required to have Might need transcripts if there are positive education requirements for the job The letter does NOT need to detail your medical history or your need for an accommodation. The simpler the letter is, the better. It is unlikely the Forest Service would challenge a letter from your office re: disability determination to meet Schedule A.The FS accepts letters (see example) and resume’s.. That’s all a supervisor is required to have Might need transcripts if there are positive education requirements for the job The letter does NOT need to detail your medical history or your need for an accommodation. The simpler the letter is, the better. It is unlikely the Forest Service would challenge a letter from your office re: disability determination to meet Schedule A.

7. Resume A resume, with quantifiable dates of employment Demonstrated experience, which allows the Forest Service to determine qualifications and pay schedule Resume: Need dates of employment and demonstrated experience in order to qualify an individual for a specific pay schedule, such as GS or WG levels. Concentrate on providing quantifiable (with dates of employment), relevant experience, education and training that shows an individual is qualified. The resume will determine if the applicant/individual is qualified at a certain pay scale, GS or WG. Office of Personnel Mgt. (OPM) sets the standards for what type of experience qualifies an individual for different GS/WG levels. MATCH THE POSITION DESCRIPTION Resume: Need dates of employment and demonstrated experience in order to qualify an individual for a specific pay schedule, such as GS or WG levels. Concentrate on providing quantifiable (with dates of employment), relevant experience, education and training that shows an individual is qualified. The resume will determine if the applicant/individual is qualified at a certain pay scale, GS or WG. Office of Personnel Mgt. (OPM) sets the standards for what type of experience qualifies an individual for different GS/WG levels. MATCH THE POSITION DESCRIPTION

8. Sample certification letterSample certification letter

9. Finding the jobs Being in the right place at the right time USA Jobs Knowing someone within the Forest Service Contact a Forest Civil Rights Point of Contact The Forest Service in OR and WA are working on strengthening our relationships with each State’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services office. In a nutshell, we are looking at how we can best meet our mutual goals of putting people with disabilities to work and building an inclusive work environment through training, awareness, and career opportunity. Over the course of the next year we’ll continue to look at ways to formalize the relationship to better serve your clients, and our customers. Working on establishing a resume database that can be matched to upcoming statewide vacancies Right now, I don’t even know all the vacant positions.. The best connection right now is to network within your local area. I’ve included a listing of Point of Contacts at each of our Oregon units for your use. At some point, I’d like to come to the are you work and have a face to face between Forest Service personnel and your staff. The Forest Service in OR and WA are working on strengthening our relationships with each State’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services office. In a nutshell, we are looking at how we can best meet our mutual goals of putting people with disabilities to work and building an inclusive work environment through training, awareness, and career opportunity. Over the course of the next year we’ll continue to look at ways to formalize the relationship to better serve your clients, and our customers. Working on establishing a resume database that can be matched to upcoming statewide vacancies Right now, I don’t even know all the vacant positions.. The best connection right now is to network within your local area. I’ve included a listing of Point of Contacts at each of our Oregon units for your use. At some point, I’d like to come to the are you work and have a face to face between Forest Service personnel and your staff.

10. Mention the POC list. We are working on a process to line our vacancies up with OVRS client skill and talent base. Mention the POC list. We are working on a process to line our vacancies up with OVRS client skill and talent base.