Bureau of Land Management Logo
Position Title
Natural Resources Specialist
Agency
Bureau of Land Management
Announcement Number
BLM-NM-25-12643570-MP-OPM Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, January 3, 2025 to Friday, January 17, 2025
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)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered. (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 lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. 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)
Conditions of Employment
1. I have a satisfactory or better rating on my last performance appraisal. I will provide a copy of my performance appraisal, if requested. (limit characters)
2. I have received recruitment incentive awards during the last two years and have listed them on my resume. (limit characters)
3. I understand that additional selections may be made from this vacancy, within the same geographical area, by other bureaus from within the DOI, through shared recruiting activities, and my application may be shown to multiple hiring offices. Additional selections for similar positions across the entire Department of the Interior within the local commuting area(s) identified in this vacancy announcement may be made. By applying, I agree to have my application shared with any interested selecting official(s) within the DOI. There is no option to opt-out as my information will not be shared with other hiring agencies outside of the DOI. (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 to be considered for the position. Choose the response that best represents your education, experience, and training. 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, transcripts, or application and information provided by your references. (limit characters)
1. From the description below, select the one response that best describes how you meet the Basic Requirement for the Natural Resources Specialist GS-0401 position.
(limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select the one response that most accurately describes how you meet the qualification requirements for the Natural Resource Specialist GS-0401-07 position.
(limit characters)
3. From the descriptions below, select the one response that most accurately describes how you meet the qualification requirements for the Natural Resource Specialist GS-0401-09 position.
(limit characters)
4. From the descriptions below, select the one response that most accurately describes how you meet the qualification requirements for the Natural Resource Specialist GS-0401-11 position. (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. Conduct environmental impact assessments (EIA) to evaluate potential harm from new projects or activities.
(limit characters)
6. Develop and implement environmental monitoring programs to assess air, water, soil, and biodiversity quality.
(limit characters)
7. Use environmental modeling tools to predict the potential effects of pollutants or resource extraction.
(limit characters)
8. Formulate environmental policies and regulations based on scientific evidence and sustainability principles.
(limit characters)
9. Advocate for the adoption of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and strategies to achieve environmental resilience.
(limit characters)
10. Perform environmental audits to evaluate an organization's environmental performance and identify areas for improvement.
(limit characters)
11. Evaluate the importance and urgency of various tasks and prioritize them based on deadlines, resources, and organizational needs.
(limit characters)
12. Identify and develop effective strategies to achieve the set goals, considering risks, resources, and potential obstacles.
(limit characters)
13. Ensure that project goals and strategies align with the broader objectives and mission of the organization.
(limit characters)
14. Determine the resources (personnel, budget, equipment, technology) necessary to accomplish each task and goal.
(limit characters)
15. Coordinate with other teams or departments within the organization to ensure alignment and efficient resource sharing.
(limit characters)
16. Facilitate the exchange of relevant information between team members and stakeholders to support decision-making and avoid miscommunication.
(limit characters)
17. Monitor the progress of ongoing tasks and overall project milestones to ensure that deadlines are being met.
(limit characters)
18. Track the performance of technical aspects of the project, including system functionality, design specifications, and quality control measures.
(limit characters)
19. Define and implement quality control processes to ensure that deliverables meet the specified technical standards and customer requirements.
(limit characters)
20. Conduct evaluations at key project stages to assess progress against objectives and identify areas for improvement.
(limit characters)
21. Prepare detailed reports that outline the status of the project, including progress on tasks, technical performance, budget adherence, and resource utilization.
(limit characters)
22. When issues arise, conduct root cause analysis to understand the underlying problems and develop long-term solutions.
(limit characters)
23. Identify independent and dependent variables, as well as potential confounding variables, to ensure clarity in data collection.
(limit characters)
24. Define the population to be studied and choose an appropriate sampling method (e.g., random, stratified, purposive) to ensure representativeness.
(limit characters)
25. Determine the tools and techniques for data collection (e.g., surveys, experiments, observations) and ensure they are valid and reliable.
(limit characters)
26. Design or select appropriate instruments (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, observation checklists, laboratory equipment) for gathering data.
(limit characters)
27. Monitor data collection processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness of the data.
(limit characters)
28. Ensure the research team follows ethical standards and the study protocol during data collection.
(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)
29. 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)