About this role
Job SummaryReclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Natural Resource Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting with managing, developing, and protecting water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
QualificationsAll qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/20/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Individual Occupational Requirement AND General Standards requirement Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying. General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 - Individual Occupational Requirements - Basic Requirements Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND To qualify for GS-09: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service or its non-Federal equivalent that included experience assisting with a land resource program; assisting with realty actions such as permitting or environmental compliance; and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams or stakeholders. OR Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, in a related field. OR Combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above. To qualify for GS-11: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service or its non-Federal equivalent that included experience managing a land resource program; coordinating recreation activities; administering realty actions such as permitting or environmental compliance; and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders. OR Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in a related field. OR Combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Major DutiesSome of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Issuing land use permits; managing recreation at Reclamation-managed recreation areas; coordinating with our managing partners for recreation management on Reclamation lands they manage for Reclamation; address public safety and accessibility; and performing other land resource management activities. Collects data and writes specifications for service contracts and performs the functions of a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) on land resource and recreation related actions and utilizes geographic information system (GIS)software and applications to map and provide documentation for land management resources and activities. Interacts with representatives from managing partner entities to receive, review, and process requests for construction of or modifications to structures. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with State and Federal entities, local governmental entities, land managers, contractors, and the general public. This includes the ability to correspond with these entities in a productive manner using tact and good judgment in order to reach a consensus. Extracting the appropriate information to assemble and document compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable regulations so that such use authorizations and out grants can be properly executed by the Area Manager. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.RequirementsMust 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment, at the GS-11. Not required for the GS-9. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary/trial period or a 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary or trial 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 or trial period trial your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.