Qualifications 
Aids—GS-2 and GS-3 are the 
beginning grades for range aids, 
forestry aids, engineering aids, and 
surveying aids. Candidates for aid 
positions must have at least one- 
half year of general experience for 
the GS-2 grade, and 1 year of 
such experience for the 
GS-3 grade. In some cases, 
high school graduation may 
be substituted for the one-half 
year of general experience. 
Technicians—Technicians 
usually begin working at the GS-4 
grade level. Candidates for these 
positions must have a minimum 
of 1% years of general experience 
and 6 months of specialized 
experience—a total of 2 years. 
High school or other education 
can be substituted for parts of the 
general and specialized 
experience requirements. The 
exact amount of substitution 
allowed is determined by the 
nature and length of the subjects 
studied. Schools offering forestry 
technician programs are listed at 
the back of this publication. 
GS-5 positions generally require 
36 months of qualifying work 
experience with at least 12 months 
of specialized experience or 180 
quarter credits of college or 
technical school education with 
some specialized course work in 
two or more qualifying courses ora 
combination of work experience 
and college or technical school 
education. At least 12 months of 
the qualifying work experience 
must have been at the GS-4 level. 
Clerks—For grade GS-2, 6 
months of general office 
experience or graduation from 
high school is required. For grade 
GS-3, 1 year of general office 
experience or 1 academic year of 
substantially full-time study ina 
resident school above the high 
school level is required. 
Trade and Craft Workers— 
Generally 6 months of experience 
assisting a journey-level worker is 
required for eligibility to 
apprentice or helper positions. 
Usually, 1 month of day-class 
attendance ina trade school may 
be substituted for 1 month of 
required experience. Journey-level 
trade/craft positions require from 1 
to 3 years of specialized 
experience. 
Laborer—No previous 
experience or education is 
required to start as a laborer. 
However, to perform the various 
manual tasks, applicants must be in 
good physical condition. 
