Bureau of Land Management Logo
Position Title
Rangeland Management Specialist
Agency
Bureau of Land Management
Announcement Number
OR-24-DE/MP-12286812-JCL Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, February 9, 2024 to Thursday, February 22, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. 30% or More Disabled Veteran

To claim eligibility as a 30% or more disabled veteran, please confirm that you are a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and:
  • You have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
  • You are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation with your application to include:
 
  • A copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; AND
  • A copy of your disability letter which includes the combined service connected disability percentage rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service; AND
  • The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, SF-15.
Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources

Are you a Veteran eligible to apply under the 30% disabled veterans hiring authority?
(limit characters)
3. Appointment of Certain Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612)

To claim Military Spouse eligibility under 5 CFR 315.612, please confirm you wish to be considered under this authority and you are one of the following: 

(1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving on active duty?
-OR-
(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of your spouse's active military orders and a copy of the marriage certificate. To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.).

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Military Spouse?
(limit characters)
4. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

Are you a current federal employee who is considered surplus or displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes, confirm:
 
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of your current position; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than your current position; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in the agency posting this job announcement with CTAP eligibility?
(limit characters)
5. Certain Former Overseas Employees

To claim Family of Overseas Employees eligibility, please confirm you wish to be considered under this authority and you are one of the following: 

Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you: 
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND, 
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND, 
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago? 


For more information, review: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/family-of-overseas-employees/

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, performance appraisal, and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders. 

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Certain Former Overseas Employees?
(limit characters)
6. Competitive Promotion/Reassignment/Transfer/Reinstatement

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee with a career or career-conditional appointment (Tenure 1 or 2 in block 24 of the SF-50) in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1 in block 34 of the SF-50) who holds/has held the same or lower grade level with lower promotion potential than the position being announced?
OR
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND you held the same or lower grade level with lower promotion potential than the position being announced?

If eligible, submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2 in block 24) AND status in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1 in block 34).

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Competitive Reinstatement/Reassignment/Transfer/Promotion? 
(limit characters)
7. Foreign Service Employees

To claim eligibility under Foreign Service Employees eligibility please confirm:

Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments  ; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?

-OR

Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF- 50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.

For more information please go to:Appointment ForeignService Employees

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Foreign Service Employee? 
(limit characters)
8. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

Are you a current or former federal employee considered displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency posting this job announcement?
(limit characters)
9. OPM Interchange Agreement and Special Authorities

Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management and current with?
 
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs-Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104(1) and (3)].
  • Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees of the Department of Defense
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
  • The Department of Defense (The Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System) Agreement
 
OR
 
Are you an Employee under Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management; or, another authority which grants non-competitive eligibility?
 
  • Postal Career Service Employees
  • Postal Rate Commission Employees
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees
 
For more information please review: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

Do you wish to be considered for appointment under the OPM Interchange Agreement and Special Authorities?
(limit characters)
10. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA)

Are you a current or former term or temporary employee of a Land Management Agency (The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation) and are serving or served under a time-limited competitive service appointment? You may be eligible to compete under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, P.L. 114-47. For more information review, https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/land-management-workforce-flexibility-act.htm

Current land management agency appointees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.

Former land management agency employees must have initially been hired under competitive procedures for a time-limited appointment; must have served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; must have been separated (with respect to their most recent separation) for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and must apply for a position covered by these provisions within two years of their most recent date of separation.

You must provide documentation showing all required periods of service which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations or references from supervisors (if employed for periods of time too short to require an appraisal) for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.

Are you a current or former employee of a Land Management Agency with LMWFA eligibility?
(limit characters)
11. National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA)

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months? 

-OR

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? 

-OR

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years? 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.

Do you wish to be considered for appointment under National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA) eligibility?
(limit characters)
12. Non-competitive Reassignment/Transfer/Re-Promotion/Reinstatement

Are you a current Federal employee who holds or has previously held a non-temporary career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).

-OR-

Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a non-temporary career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career status (Tenure 1) or career-conditional status (Tenure 2.  If you have career-conditional status you must have separated within the last three years OR have veteran's preference.
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). 

-OR-

Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career status (Tenure 1) or career-conditional status (Tenure 2). If you have career-conditional status you must have separated within the last three years OR have veteran's preference.
• your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1). 
Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect: 
• Rating of Fully Successful (or equivalent)

Do you wish to be considered for appointment as a Non-competitive Reinstatement/Reassignment/Transfer/Re-Promotion?
(limit characters)
13. Former Public Lands Corps Member

Are you a former member of the PLC between the ages of 16 and 30, who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:

• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC, and

• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.

To verify your eligibility, you must include a copy of the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (signed/certified by the PLC member's last supervisor or a DOI agency Youth Program Office coordinator) and the completed signed/certified PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form for noncompetitive hiring with your application.  This certificate will serve as proof that the former PLC member has met all necessary service requirements for noncompetitive hiring as stated in Public Law (P.L.) 109-154.

Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. For more information, review the Department of the Interior PLC Hiring Authority Personnel Bulletin

Are you eligible for non-competitive hire under the PLC authority?
(limit characters)
14. Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A)

To claim eligibility under the Schedule A hiring authority for Individuals with Disabilities, please confirm you have a qualifying severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit appropriate medical documentation (such as a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist) specifying that you are eligible to apply using the Schedule A hiring authority.  Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  For more information on hiring Individuals with Disabilities, review the resources in the USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

Are you eligible under the Schedule A, Individuals with Disabilities hiring authority?
(limit characters)
15. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)

To claim VEOA eligibility, please confirm you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions,  AND:

• You served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• You are entitled to veterans' preference.

Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service, and/or other documentation which shows you are entitled to veterans' preference.

Are you a Veteran eligible to apply under the VEOA?
(limit characters)
16. Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA)

To claim eligibility under the Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA), please confirm you are a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND:

• You recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR
• You are a disabled veteran; OR
• You served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• You received an Armed Forces Service Medal?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.

Are you eligible for appointment under the VRA?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee? You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to this questionnaire, in conjunction with the other portions of your completed application, will be evaluated in determining your eligibility and qualifications for this position. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or other application materials. (limit characters)
Basic Requirement for the Rangeland Management Series GS-0454 (limit characters)
1. Select one statement from the choices below that demonstrates how you meet the Basic Requirement for the Rangeland Management Series, GS-0454. (limit characters)
Additional Qualification Requirements (limit characters)
2. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement listed above, select one response below that best describes your experience and/or education to meet the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-7 grade level. NOTE: Your resume and/or transcripts must fully support the response you select. (limit characters)
3. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement listed above, select one response below that best describes your experience and/or education to meet the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-9 grade level. NOTE: Your resume and/or transcripts must fully support the response you select. (limit characters)
4. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement listed above, select one response below that best describes your experience and/or education to meet the minimum qualification requirement for the GS-11 grade level. NOTE: Your resume and/or transcripts must fully support the response you select. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
5. Develop and implement Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) and/or ensure AMP's schedules are being followed. (limit characters)
6. Plan and conduct range inventories to include assessing resources for appropriate rangeland health. (limit characters)
7. Participate in monitoring and surveying activities that impact sensitive shrub and grasslands. (limit characters)
8. Design range improvement projects (e.g., fences, reservoirs, vegetative improvements). (limit characters)
9. Design and implement allotment management plans, grazing systems and/or vegetation improvement projects. (limit characters)
10. Conduct species identification of rangeland, woodland, forest and/or wetland vegetation. (limit characters)
11. Identify grasses, forbs, shrubs and/or trees to species or subspecies using a dichotomous key including non-flowering plants, lichens and/or fungi to species. (limit characters)
12. Identify grasses forbs, shrubs and/or trees to species including the identification of non-flowering plants, lichens and/or fungi using photos or materials. (limit characters)
13. Prepare, evaluate and conduct ecological analyses of public rangeland projects.v (limit characters)
14. Plan and conduct forage utilization studies and/or range trend analysis. (limit characters)
15. Conduct rangeland health assessments using standards and guidelines to determine whether allotments meet rangeland health standards. (limit characters)
16. Conduct or assist in conducting monitoring studies to determines the need for range and watershed improvements that are directly related to management objectives. (limit characters)
17. Participate in gathering, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of monitoring data to determine if land use objectives are being met. (limit characters)
18. Conduct riparian monitoring and/or inventories to include using rangeland monitoring to conduct/complete upland trend monitoring studies, such as Daubenmire or Frequency studies. (limit characters)
19. Conduct allotment compliance inspections to ensure grazing practices are within the terms and conditions of a grazing permit. (limit characters)
20. Provide and coordinate oversight and review of range documents for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) adequacy. (limit characters)
21. Review grazing permit applications to ensure compliance with appropriate laws and regulations. (limit characters)
22. Process grazing applications, livestock crossing permit applications, and/or grazing permits ensuring legal compliance. (limit characters)
23. Analyze and prepare responses to protest and/or apply rangeland management laws, regulations and/or policies to prepare decisions. (limit characters)
24. Interpret and/or apply a variety of regulations, programs, policies or topics to apply in everyday work activities, such as The Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, Federal Land & Policy Management Act (FLPMA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), The Public Rangelands Improvement Act, Land Use Plan (LUP), etc. (limit characters)
25. Serve as a rangeland resource consultant and advisor to a variety of stakeholders, such as ranchers, farmers, or other land users and/or lead negotiations with industry and interest groups. (limit characters)
26. Conduct livestock operator consultations and coordination meetings. (limit characters)
27. Negotiate range management or multiple use management issues. (limit characters)
28. Communicate, partner, and/or collaborate with interest groups and/or elected officials on broad resource management issues. (limit characters)
29. Respond to customer complaints or problems to propose new procedures, elicit information from individuals who may be uncooperative or uninterested and/or resolve conflicts between persons with divergent viewpoints. (limit characters)
30. Develop, maintain and revise planning documents for rangeland management programs in accordance with established planning schedules. (limit characters)
31. Routinely write persuasive and concise written instructions, reports, memoranda and/or other correspondence involving multi-faceted and/or controversial issues with the need to obtain buy-in, support, and/or acceptance without change. (limit characters)
32. Draft correspondence for the review and signature of higher-level officials with minimal or no substantive required revisions. (limit characters)
33. Write correspondence for higher level echelons which require extensive subject content revisions. (limit characters)
34. Participate as a team member in interdisciplinary work groups to prepare environmental assessment documents. (limit characters)
As previously explained, your ratings in this Occupational Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and documents you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period, or other disciplinary action, including termination. Please take this opportunity to review your ratings to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: Understand this warning; have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability. (limit characters)
35. Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below. (limit characters)