Air Specialist – Trainee
GS-0401-07

Introduction

This position is located on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent serves in an advanced training and development position in the field of air quality and assists higher grade Air Specialists in carrying out assignments.

Major Duties

Performs assignments of limited scope and complexity which are designed to contribute to the continuing professional development of the employee. Duties include gaining experience in land management planning and implementation; _______________________________________; inspecting or administering on-the-ground operations; and standard administrative procedures, such as program budgeting.

Assists in collecting data, taking samples, making observations, and reporting findings that allow management to assess potential and evaluate the impacts of development of air resources on forest management, and the inverse impact of forest management on a variety of air resources.

Factors

Factor 1, Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge of the professional concepts and methods of air quality with sufficient knowledge of standard practices in order to collect, analyze and evaluate data, and to perform recurring assignments of limited scope and complexity.

Skill in expressing thoughts both verbally and in writing to document and report on technical aspects of work.

Ability to perform a variety of measurements, computations, compilations, and analyses to assist higher grade geologists.

Factor 2, Supervisory Controls

Supervisor provides developmental assignments with general instructions as to objectives and procedures to be used along with quality, quantity and timeliness expected.

Work of a repetitive nature is performed independently without specific instruction. The employee consults with supervisor and/or higher grade air specialists on any deviations, problems or unfamiliar situations.

Upon completion, work is reviewed for accuracy and/or established procedures. New assignments are reviewed closely.

Factor 3, Guidelines

Guidelines include Agency handbooks and manuals, pertinent laws, Executive Orders and regulations. These detailed guidelines usually are directly applicable to the assigned work.

The employee exercises some judgment in making minor deviations to adapt guidelines to specific cases. Where existing guidelines are inadequate or deviations are significant, incumbent consults with supervisor.

Factor 4, Complexity

Work consists of varied continuing and special assignments designed to provide diversified experience as a foundation for future responsibility.

Tasks involve different and unrelated processes and methods. The work requires familiarity and judgment in selecting appropriate alternatives from among a number of standard air quality principles, methods and practices, in order to solve relatively limited problems.

Collects, analyzes, and interprets various air quality factors and conditions determining interrelationships, deviations, and their relations to forest resource management.

Factor 5, Scope and Effect

The purpose is to execute specific rules, regulations, and procedures in relatively routine air quality activities, or portions of more complex activities of a broader scope.

Work efforts affect the accuracy, reliability, and acceptability of forest resource management while relieving higher grade specialists of routine work.

Factor 6, Personal Contacts

Contacts are primarily with unit employees working in forest resources, engineering, and related disciplines; external contacts include local, State, and other Federal agencies dealing with air quality activities.

Factor 7, Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are to furnish air quality information and to exchange air quality information with external agencies.

Factor 8, Physical Demands

Work may include hiking over rough, uneven ground.

Factor 9, Work Environment

Work is performed in and office and field environment. Field work includes risk of jury from falls and strains, and includes occasional exposure to inclement weather such as rain, cold, and heat.