Forest Taxation Specialist
The USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, will soon advertise an interdisciplinary GS-460/110-12/13 Forest Taxation Specialist position to serve in the Cooperative Forestry Unit, State & Private Forestry, of the Regional Office in Atlanta, GA. This specialist position is located at either the Southern Research Station, Research Work Unit 4802, in New Orleans, LA (preferred) or in the Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, GA -- to be determined in consultation with the selectee. The incumbent serves as a nationwide technology transfer specialist in forest taxation, and reports to the Staff Director, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry, in the Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, GA.
USDA Forest Service - SPF, CF Unit Southern Region
New Orleans, LA (preferred) or Atlanta, GA
Deadline: 2006/08/01
The USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, will soon advertise an interdisciplinary GS-460/110-12/13 Forest Taxation Specialist position to serve in the Cooperative Forestry Unit, State & Private Forestry, of the Regional Office in Atlanta, GA. This specialist position is located at either the Southern Research Station, Research Work Unit 4802, in New Orleans, LA (preferred) or in the Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, GA -- to be determined in consultation with the selectee. The incumbent serves as a nationwide technology transfer specialist in forest taxation, and reports to the Staff Director, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry, in the Southern Regional Office in Atlanta, GA.
Major Duties
The incumbent serves as a national specialist and expert consultant on federal income taxation issues associated with the management of the nation's non-industrial private forest lands. The specialist seeks to get Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and other pertinent tax information accepted by forestry professionals involved in activities with state and private landowners and cooperators nationwide. The expert develops written material including brochures, technical releases, and electronic publications which foster acceptance and application of forest taxation principles promoting sound forest management, and trains and assists State foresters, forestry consultants, accountants, tax preparers, and private forest landowners in understanding and implementing effective forest management tax planning strategies that promote increased productivity form the nation's privately-owned forestlands. The incumbent serves as an nationally-recognized expert instructor in income tax workshops, symposia, and informal tax presentations to forest landowner associations, State Forester Organizations, and other interested publics. As the State and Private Forestry national taxation expert, the specialist responds to written inquiries, e-mail messages, and telephone calls from external and internal publics.
New Orleans Attractions
Lifestyle
The citys several nicknames describe various characteristics of the city, including the "Crescent City" (describing its shape around the Mississippi River), "The Big Easy" (a reference by musicians to the relative ease of finding work in the city), and "The City that Care Forgot" (associated with the easy going, carefree nature of many of the local residents). The citys unofficial motto, "Laissez les bons temps rouler" ("Let the good times roll") describes the party-like attitude of many residents.
New Orleans is a Southern city known for its multicultural heritage (especially French, Spanish and African American influences) as well as its music and cuisine. It is a world-famous tourist destination thanks to its many festivals and celebrations; the most noteworthy annual events are Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday"), Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest, Southern Decadence, and college footballs Sugar Bowl (although the bowl game has been moved to Atlanta for the 2006 game).
New Orleans remains a major port city due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico and along the Mississippi River, making it a hub for goods which travel to and from Latin America. The petroleum industry is also of great importance to the New Orleans economy; many oil rigs are located in the Gulf. The Port of New Orleans is the largest U.S. port for several major commodities including rubber, cement and coffee. The Port of South Louisiana is based in the New Orleans metropolitan area and has been ranked the fifth largest port in the world in terms of raw tonnage, and among the largest U.S. ports for exporting grain. The two ports together would be the fourth largest port in the world.
Greater New Orleans has many major attractions, from the world-renowned Bourbon Street and the French Quarters notorious nightlife, St. Charles Avenue (home of Tulane and Loyola Universities), and many stately 19th century mansions. The city is also world-famous for its food. Specialties include beignets, square-shaped fried pastries that are sometimes called French doughnuts (served with coffee and chicory "au lait"); Poboy and Italian Muffaletta sandwiches; Gulf oysters on the half-shell and other seafoods; etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo, and other Creole dishes; and the Monday evening favorite of red beans and rice. (Louis Armstrong often signed his letters, "red beans and ricely yours.") Other attractins include but are not limted to:
· The city is the home to several professional, major league sports teams, including the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League and the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association (moved from Charlotte, North Carolina at the start of the 2002--2003 season). The Saints play in the Louisiana Superdome, and the Hornets play in the adjacent New Orleans Arena.
· Art museums in the city include the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The Audubon Park and the Audubon Zoo are also located in the city of New Orleans. New Orleans is also noted for its many beautiful cemeteries. Some notable cemeteries in the city include Saint Louis Cemetery and Metairie Cemetery.
· There are numerous year-around celebrations, including Mardi Gras, New Years Eve celebrations, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. New Orleans most famous celebration is its Carnival Season. The Carnival season is often known (especially by out-of-towners) by the name of the last and biggest day, Mardi Gras (literally, "Fat Tuesday"), held just before the beginning of the Catholic liturgical season of Lent.
· Additional attractions include - the French Quarter (known locally as "the Quarter"), which dates from the French and Spanish eras and is bounded by the Mississippi River and Rampart Street, Canal Street and Esplanade Ave. The French Quarter contains many popular hotels, bars, and nightclubs, most notably around Bourbon Street, the old New Orleans Mint, located near the French Quarter, formerly a branch of the United States Mint, now operating as a museum, the National D-Day Museum, a relatively new museum (opened on June 6, 2000) dedicated to providing information and materials related to the allied invasion of Normandy, France, the Natchez, an authentic steamboat with a calliope that tours the Mississippi twice daily,
Educationa Institutions
New Orleans Public Schoools, the city's school district, is one of the largest school districts. It contains aproximatelt 100 individual schools. The greater New Orleans area has approximately 200 parochial schools.
Several institutions of higher education also exist within the city, including University of New Orleans, Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, Louisiana State University Medical School, and Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Other schools include Delgado Community College, Nunez Community College, Culinary Institute of New Orleans, Herzing College, Commonwealth University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Transportation
The metropolitan area is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY), located approximately nine miles west of the city in the city of Kenner. It serves millions of passengers on approximately 300 nonstop flights per day to or from destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airport also handles a significant amount of charter operations from Europe. The airport also serves as a nonstop gateway to Mexico for Federal Express.
Within the city itself is Lakefront Airport, a small, general aviation airport, as well as the New Orleans Downtown Heliport, located on the roof of the Louisiana Superdomes parking garage. There are also several regional airports located throughout the metropolitan area.
The city is also served by rail via Amtrak. The New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is the central rail depot, and it is served by three trains: the Crescent to New York City, the City of New Orleans to Chicago, Illinois, and the Sunset Limited from Orlando to Los Angeles.
In addition, the city is served by six Class I freight railroads. The Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads approach the city from the west, the Norfolk Southern and CSX from the east, and the Canadian National and Kansas City Southern from the north.
Public transportation in the city is operated by New Orleans Regional Transit Authority ("RTA"). In addition to the many bus routes connecting the city and suburban areas, there are three active streetcar lines moved by electric motors powered by DC wires overhead.
Housing
New Orleans' cost of living is much lower than many other US cities that are comparable to it in size. New Orleans is in the midst of reconstucting its city following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. More affordable housing is becoming available daily. Median home prices start at about $134,500. Apartments median average is $550.00
Medical
An excellent selection of health care is available, including doctors, dentists, and specialists. A wide variety of home care, adult, and children day care, nursing homes and mental health facilities can be found throughout the city of New Orleans.
Churches
New Orleans churches reflect the rich diversity of faith of its people. The New Orleans religious community exudes charm, with friendly faces and the spirit of community. The abundance of faiths and places of worship makes it easy to find a place to meet your spiritual needs. New Orleans has one of the nation's largest catholic populations along with a diverse protestant denomination.
For more information, check out the city's website at www.neworleansonline to gain an overview of what's current in the New Orleans area.
Atlanta Attractions
Lifestyle
HOT-LANTA does not get that nickname from the weather! Weve got a world of arts, culture and history, not to mention renowned restaurants, shops and malls. Here are just a few:
The Georgia Dome is home to the Atlanta Falcons football team. The Atlanta Hawks basketball team and the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team play in the brand new Philips Arena. The Atlanta Braves also play major league baseball Turner Field.
The Atlanta Ballet performs at the Civic Center, adjacent to SciTrek, where more than 100 hand-on-exhibits illustrate basic principles of science and their application of everyday life. Atlanta is becoming a Southern version of off-Broadway. Anchored by the Woodruff Arts Center, which includes the Atlanta Symphony, the Alliance and Studio Theatres, and the High Museum of Art, Midtown is the address of at least 10 other live performance theaters.
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast and is one of the largest planetariums in the nation, which also houses the IMAX Theater. The worlds largest mass of exposed granite with the worlds largest bas-relief sculpture carved on its side is at Georgias Stone Mountain Park. The 200-acre park is a wonderland of outdoor recreation and family fun. Top attractions include 36 holes of championship golf, spectacular summer laser light show, and the Road to Tara Museum, which has the largest public exhibit of Gone with the Wind memorabilia.
Other attractions include -- Atlantas Cyclorama and Civil War Museum located in Zoo Atlanta, World of Coca-Cola (adjacent to Underground), the African American Panoramic Experience (APEX),the annual PGA BellSouth Classic held at a fantastic golf course designed by Greg Norman, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, White Water Park, Six Flags Over Georgia, the annual Peachtree Road Race, luxurious rental houseboats on Lake Lanier - less than an hour north of Atlanta, and beautiful Calloway Gardens ( an hour south of Atlanta). Naturally, we cant forget the hundreds of fairs and festivals every year from the North Georgia Mountains to the east coast beaches of Jekyll and Cumberland Islands.
Educational Institutions
Numerous colleges and universities are located within the metro area including Atlanta Technical Institute, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, Oglethorpe University, Spellman College.
Local schools offer either public or private educational opportunities for K-12. The metro area secondary school system represents some of the best schools in the state. A real plus for parents -- if your children are approaching or currently attending high school, check out the Georgia Hope Grant, supported by the Georgia lottery, for high school graduates maintaining a B average. College tuition is paid for residents attending statewide colleges.
Transportation
Atlanta/Hartsfield International Airport, is the largest air transportation center in the world, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authoritys (MARTA) rapid rail lines is a nationally acclaimed public transportation system, with 46 miles of track and 1,541 miles of feeder bus routes. This is a commute optionwith potential for reimbursement.
Many current regional staff have organized carpools, an environmental and economic transpoortation option.. Commutes vary in time depending on where you live. Generally, you could expect to live approximately 26 miles away and have a 30-minute to 1-hour commute.
Housing
Atlanta has it all! "In-town" or country living ( just a short distance from downtown). Prices range from modest to millions! Rental apartments are plentiful in the city and surrounding metro area with prices depending on location. Atlanta's cost of living is lower than many other major metropolitan areas including Washington, D.C., New york, Boston, Denver, Portland, Orlando, and Charlotte, NC. Median home prices start at about $160,000.
Medical
An excellent selection of health care is available, including doctors, dentists, and specialists. A wide variety of home care, adult and children day care, nursing homes and mental health facilities can be found throughout the metropolitian area.
Churches
Atlanta churches reflect the rich diversity of faith of its people. The Atlanta religious community exudes charm, with friendly faces and the spirit of community. The abundance of faiths and places of worship in the metro area makes it easy to find a place to meet your spiritual needs.
For more information, check out the metro's website at www.accessatlanta.com to gain an overview of what's current in the Atlanta area.
We encourage you to express your interest in our position. Send inquiries to Tom Darden, Director of Cooperative Forestry at tdarden@fs.fed.us or (404) 347-7200. We will be issuing a vacancy announcement soon.
