Land Law Examiner

Duties For GS-05/GS07: Collects basic data on lands, oil and gas, mining, or minerals cases.
Determines the accuracy and proper execution of applications or claims and the qualifications of applicant for rights requested.
Utilizes data, systems, and applications to collect, enter, manipulate, update, and maintain data according to prescribed Bureau and program standards.
Ensures data quality and integrity by adherence to quality control standards and procedures.
Drafts simple adjudication decisions on assigned cases involving clearly defined facts, readily defined rights and interests, identifiable land status, and nominal values in terms of land and mineral resources.
For GS-09: Research BLM and other land records to determine land ownership, types of ownership, rights, encumbrances, withdrawals, restrictions, and other land status for case processing or public inquiries.
Reviews and processes the full range of lands and minerals cases for accuracy and completeness.
Utilize data, systems, and applications to collect, enter, manipulate, update, and maintain data according to prescribed Bureau and program standards.
Ensures data quality and integrity by adherence to quality control standards and procedures.
Reviews and processes the full range of lands and minerals cases for accuracy and completeness.
Requirements Conditions of Employment U.
S.
Citizenship is required.
Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
Direct Deposit Required.
Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement.
In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
If selected for this position, you will be required to annually complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 within 30 days of reporting to duty.
May require a one-year (1) probationary trial period.
Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.
No assumptions will be made about your experience.
For GS-05: Three (3) years of general experience, one (1) of which was equivalent to at least GS-04 in the Federal service as a law clerk, claims examiner, contact representative, or other position that provided a familiarity with real property laws and legal land descriptions, land titles, tract maps, and legal documents, or that involved explanation, application, or interpretation of laws, regulations and/or policies; OR completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor`s degree with major study in any field.
This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education as described above.
For GS-07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in the Federal service as a Land Law Examiner or directly related position.
Specialized experience examples may include examination of applications & claims for land or resources use; title searching, interpreting land records; work as a land appraiser; general practice of law that included involvement in legal transactions involving acquisition, lease, or disposal of land; OR 1 full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a master`s degree or equivalent that included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours or course work related to the administration of land laws.
Examples: course work in surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising, land use planning, water rights, mining laws, or legal instrument review and interpretation; OR meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (S.
A.
A.
) See OPM Quals Standard-General Policies E(4)(f) AND have at least 12 semester hours of coursework related to the administration of land laws listed above; OR equivalent combination of experience and education as described above.
For GS-09: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 as a Land Law Examiner or work that is directly related position.
Specialized experience is further defined as demonstrated examples of the following: experience in adjudication or examination of applications & claims for the disposal, use of, or title to public lands, issuance of leases, licenses, or permits for land use; OR have a master's or equivalent degree; OR 2 full years (36 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a master`s degree or equivalent or LL.
B or J.
D.
, if related, in a directly related field such as surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising or land use planning; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education as described above.
Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.
f.
) S.
A.
A.
must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done 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 provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary although there is some walking, stooping, and bending involved when searching for records.
Work Environment: The work is in a typical office setting.
Education This position falls under the Wildlife Biologist Series, 0965 and Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).
For GS-05: Major study-any field.
For GS-07: Applicants can qualify for GS-07 based on graduate education (including law school) that included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours of course work related to the administration of land laws.
Examples include course work in land surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising, land use planning, water rights, mining laws, or legal instrument review and interpretation.
Applicants who qualify for GS-7 on the basis of the superior academic achievement provision must have had sat least 12 semester hours of course work related to the administration of land laws.
For GS-09: Major study-fields such as those described above for GS-07.
For some positions, graduate study alone may not provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.
Applicants for such positions may be required to have specialized experience at the appropriate grade level.
This position allows for education to be substituted for specialized experience (see qualification section for education requirements).
If using education to qualify - You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.
S.
college/university.
Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.
S.
education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.
S.
accredited college or university.
All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts.
Additional information Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: This position is offering a Relocation/Recruitment Incentive, 25% of the annual salary.
To be eligible for a Relocation Incentive, you must be a current Federal Employee and the selectee must be employed with the Federal Government and the selectees current duty location is more than 50 miles from the duty location of this position.
To be eligible for a Recruitment Incentive, selectee must not be employed by the Federal Government.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed.
To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
For more information: CTAP or ICTAP Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement.
The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under number NV-Merit-24-12333564-KJ, which is open to all qualified persons.
You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive.
The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed.
For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.
e.
, physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application.
Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.
To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.
usastaffing.
gov/Apply/index.
php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position.
Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements.
To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made.
Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position.
Qualified applicants will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified and Qualified.
However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.
Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.
Candidates placed in the Best Qualified category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.
The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored.
Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Technical Competence Information Management Technical Documentation Research Problem Solving Computer Skills Attention to Detail Occupational Interaction Occupational Reading Occupational Reasoning In order 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 an online assessment.
The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Resume or Application.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year).
USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s).
Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility.
You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.
Transcripts: If using education to qualify, see education section for document requirements.
Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable) OR written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit documentation that supports your claim as shown on the back of the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
SF-15.
If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the www.
fedshirevets.
gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.
Please note that documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application.
You need to transfer your document(s) in the "Documents" step during the application process.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.
m.
Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by03/14/2024.
If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at 775-861-6428 or rmacklin@blm.
gov.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have access to a public library, State Job Service Office, etc.
, you should use these resources to apply online.
You must follow the steps described below to complete the application process: YOU MUST HAVE OR CREATE A PROFILE IN USAJOBS.
Your profile must contain a current resume for submission.
See Required Documents section for what to include in your resume.
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.
The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed.
The Resume Builder is an available tool when you login to your USAJOBS account.
Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected.
You may choose more than one eligibility in this section.
You must provide proof of your eligibility to be considered.
You must submit a resume and also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: Note: If invited to take additional competency assessment(s), you will be able to preview a sample exercise at the time of the assessment.
If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system.
Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments.
Click here for Computer System Requirements NOTE: Set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time.
If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
FOLLOW UP: Check your application status before the announcement closes.
It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on.
NOTE: Technical problems may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date.
Agency contact information Ryan Macklin Phone 775-861-6428 Email rmacklin@blm.
gov Address BLM Nevada State Office BLM Nevada State Office NV-953 1340 Financial Blvd.
Reno, NV 89502 US Next steps Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments.
The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.
You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account.
You will receive an acknowledgement email from USAJobs that your submission was successful once we have received your online questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation.
You will be notified of the status of your application and/or referral to the hiring official via your USAJobs account after the evaluation process is complete.
You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account https://my.
usajobs.
gov/Account/Login, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated.
For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.
usajobs.
gov/Help/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.
Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Resume or Application.
At a minimum, your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year).
USAJOBS has a template to ensure a complete resume.
Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s).
Failure to provide required information will result in loss of eligibility.
You are welcome to submit an optional cover letter.
Transcripts: If using education to qualify, see education section for document requirements.
Veterans: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable) OR written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit documentation that supports your claim as shown on the back of the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
SF-15.
If you are claiming Sole Survivorship Veterans' Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the www.
fedshirevets.
gov/job-seekers/special-hiring-authorities/.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Submit documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.
Please note that documents selected for transfer from your USAJOBS profile are NOT automatically added to your application.
You need to transfer your document(s) in the "Documents" step during the application process.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.
m.
Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help This job is open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency All U.
S.
Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required.
CTAP and ICTAP candidates in the local commuting area.