Rangeland Conservation Specialist

Agency Clarification

U.S. Citizens, CTAP, ICTAP

Position Overview

This role is designated as a Rangeland Management Specialist (RMS) with full promotion potential to GS-11, or as a trainee at GS-7, within a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office. The RMS plays a pivotal role in the stewardship, development, and administration of public rangelands. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of the ecological needs of indigenous flora, primarily consisting of grasses, grass-like plants, herbs, and shrubs. At the GS-07 level, the individual will engage in various responsibilities under a structured training program, with the complexity of tasks and level of autonomy progressively increasing as proficiency is gained and greater responsibilities are assumed.

As an RMS, the incumbent will be tasked with preparing, assessing, and executing biological evaluations of public rangeland initiatives. Responsibilities include formulating conservation strategies, designing technical assessments, and overseeing rangeland construction endeavors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate ecological management of rangelands and wildlife in alignment with multiple-use management principles.
• Act as the primary liaison and negotiator concerning rangeland resources and associated activities.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams to assess rangeland resources and ecosystem impacts, identifying alternatives and trade-offs related to various project proposals.
• Maintain ongoing communication with permit holders, affected stakeholders, and others to ensure adherence to established plans and quality standards.
• Provide guidance to rangeland users regarding activities that may influence their use of specific rangeland areas.
• Develop both long-term and short-term plans based on the health, needs, and capabilities of rangeland resources, available workforce, equipment, budgetary constraints, and public demands.
• Conduct monitoring of plant community dynamics, grazing effects, precipitation patterns, and soil erosion risks to correlate with other rangeland resource activities and utilizations.

Employment Conditions

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Background investigation and drug screening may be necessary.
• Compliance with Selective Service Registration Act is required for males.
• Submission of a resume and supporting documentation is mandatory.
• Active real estate licenses or interests in firms with stakes in Federal Lands are prohibited.
• New employees or supervisors in the Federal government must complete a one-year probationary period.
• Participation in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program is required.
• A valid state driver's license must be obtained and maintained.
• Overnight travel away from home may be required up to 5 nights per month.

Qualifications

To qualify, candidates must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Minimum Qualification criteria outlined below. The resume must clearly reflect relevant experience, and a copy of official or unofficial transcripts must accompany the application.

Basic Requirement for the 0454 Series:
1. Education: Successful completion of a degree in range management or a related field, encompassing at least 42 semester hours in a blend of plant, animal, soil sciences, and natural resources management, including:

• Range Management: Minimum of 18 semester hours in courses such as principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, and rangeland planning.
• Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences: At least 15 semester hours in courses covering plant taxonomy, physiology, ecology, animal nutrition, and soil classification.
• Resource Management Studies: Minimum of 9 semester hours in wildlife management, watershed management, or agricultural economics.

OR,
2. Combination of Education and Experience: Education that includes at least 42 semester hours of coursework in the aforementioned areas, supplemented by relevant experience or additional education.

Minimum Qualifications: To be considered minimally qualified, candidates must demonstrate the required specialized experience and/or education for the grade level applied for:

Specialized Experience GS-07: One year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-05 level in the Federal service, which includes:

• Assisting in the collection of field data on wildlife habitats and vegetation.
• Aiding in the interpretation of aerial imagery to identify vegetation types.
• Compiling biological and vegetation use data from records to assess past wildlife and livestock usage.
• Supporting communication and interpretative initiatives related to wildlife and their habitats.

OR, Education GS-07: One year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in range management or a related discipline.

OR, Combination GS-07: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education that totals at least 100% of the requirement.

Specialized Experience GS-09: One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level, including:

• Serving as an advanced trainee in range management, conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses of range resources.
• Performing surveys and drafting preliminary professional opinions to assess allotment or watershed needs.
• Assisting in a range of analytical assignments in the field of range management.

OR, Education GS-09: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in range management or a related discipline.

OR, Combination GS-09: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education that totals 100% of the requirement.

Specialized Experience GS-11: One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level, including:

• Developing and managing range conservation and improvement plans.
• Advising landowners on principles of rangeland management and applicable laws.
• Conducting inventories and monitoring rangeland resources to document impacts and ecological changes.

OR, Education GS-11: Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in range management or a related discipline.

OR, Combination GS-11: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education that totals 100% of the requirement.

Candidates must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Volunteer Experience: Paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs and other organizations, will be credited towards qualifications.

To qualify based on education, a legible copy of transcripts must be submitted, indicating the name, school, credit hours, course level, major(s), and GPA or class ranking.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10% of undergraduate coursework was taken on a pass/fail basis, claims of superior academic achievement must be based on class standing or honor society membership.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is defined as the number of credit hours determined by the graduate school to represent one academic year of full-time study.