Rangeland Management Specialist

Summary You will serve as a Rangeland Management Specialist and help assess rangeland health, support permits and planning, guide improvements and treatments, and work with land users to promote sustainable public lands. Position is open to status candidates under announcement: CCCR-27-13096245-MP-JLH Position is open to Field Unit Local Hiring eligibles under announcement: CCCR-27-13096242-FUL-JLH You must apply to each announcement separately to be considered under all recruitment methods. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 11/09/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full- and/or part-time hours requirement, as the service dates will be reflected. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT - RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SERIES (0454) In addition to the grade-level qualifications below, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) through qualifying education or a combination of education and experience, as applicable: Education: You have a bachelor's degree or higher in range management or a directly related discipline that included a total of 42 semester hours, with the following distribution: 18 semester hours in range management subjects such as principles of range management, range ecology, range improvements, range inventories and studies, and rangeland planning; 15 semester hours in plant, animal, and soil sciences, with at least one course in each of the plant, animal, and soil sciences; and 9 semester hours in related resource-management subjects such as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, or outdoor recreation management. OR Combination of Education and Experience: You have completed at least 42 semester hours distributed as above and possess appropriate experience or additional education demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform professional rangeland management work. Qualifying experience may include assisting in the conservation, regulation, and use of public lands for grazing; participating in range inventory and monitoring activities; or assisting in the operation or management of lands comparable to public rangelands. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-07 RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (GS-07): You have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-05 level performing all of the following: Assisting in the conservation, regulation, and use of public or federally controlled lands for grazing. Leading or supporting range inventory and monitoring activities that include field data collection. Inspecting and inventorying existing range improvements and identifying needed improvements. Assisting in the operation of a livestock ranch or in the management or preservation of lands comparable to public rangelands. Contributing to the development of livestock grazing management plans. OR EDUCATION (GS-07): You have completed one full year of graduate-level education in range management or a directly related field that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for GS-07 work. One full year of graduate education is the amount the school considers to represent one year of full-time study; if not defined, 18 semester hours is considered one year. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (S.A.A.) (GS-07): You have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a field that meets the IOR and you meet one of the following: Class Standing: Upper third of your graduating class. GPA: 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 (overall or in the last two years), or 3.5 or higher out of 4.0 in your major or major courses completed in the last two years. Honor Society Membership: Election to a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (GS-07): You have a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that equals at least 100 percent of the GS-07 requirement and also satisfies the IOR. To determine your percentage, divide months of GS-05-level qualifying experience by 12, and divide qualifying graduate semester hours beyond the first year by 18; the sum must equal at least 100 percent. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-09 RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST In addition to meeting the IOR, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (GS-09): You have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-07 level performing all of the following: Assisting in the conservation, regulation, and use of public or federally controlled lands for grazing. Supporting or conducting range inventory and monitoring activities that include field data collection and evaluation. Assisting in the operation of a livestock ranch or in the management or preservation of lands comparable to public rangelands. Assisting in the development of rangeland management plans designed to improve range conditions and minimize invasive species. OR EDUCATION (GS-09): You have completed a master's degree or equivalent, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, in range management or a directly related field that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for GS-09 work. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (GS-09): You have a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience that equals at least 100 percent of the GS-09 requirement. Only graduate education beyond 18 semester hours may be credited. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-11 RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST In addition to meeting the IOR, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (GS-11): You have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-09 level performing all of the following: Assisting in the conservation, regulation, and use of public or federally controlled lands for grazing. Leading rangeland inventory and monitoring activities that include field data collection and evaluation. Inspecting and inventorying existing range improvements and identifying needed improvements. Assisting in the operation or management of lands comparable to public rangelands. Developing rangeland management plans to improve range conditions and minimize invasive species. OR EDUCATION (GS-11): You have completed three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in range management or a directly related field that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for GS-11 work. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (GS-11): You have a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience that equals at least 100 percent of the GS-11 requirement. Only graduate education beyond 36 semester hours may be credited. Other Information Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can translate directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification Requirements Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands. You must be able to operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle over rough, uneven, or remote terrain as part of regular fieldwork. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. How You Will Be Evaluated Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Compliance Inspection Interpersonal Skills Planning and Evaluating Rangeland Management Technology Application Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessment(s), including a Structured Resume Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job. Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Required Documents The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/09/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessment(s). All college transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices. How to Apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 11/09/2026--unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13096241 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.