The Montana/Dakotas BLM is seeking Natural Resources Specialists to join our team. These position are located in Butte, Havre, Glasgow and Lewistown Montana Information about the area can be found at their respective chamber of commerce websites.We expect to fill 5 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

Provide technical expertise and performs duties in range, surface protection, land health assessment, weed/invasive species, soils, and riparian programs. Acts as the principal contact and negotiator for rangeland resources for multiple-use within a defined area of assignment and all affected land interests. Plans, designs, conducts, and coordinates complex monitoring studies and analyzes, interprets, and evaluates monitoring data to meet current management techniques and Land Use Plan objectives. Serves as the interdisciplinary team leader, the principal range specialist, the writer/editor for the preparation of environmental assessments on upland vegetation management Develops reclamation plans, reseeding mixtures, and noxious weed treatments for Bureau minerals, lands, hazardous materials, recreation and forestry programs when surface disturbance occurs from these activities. Provides expertise and coordination to assist the public to develop reclamation plans and provides review to Field Office staff in development and implementation of surface protection activities.

Requirements

• 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.
• An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
• May require a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement or vacancy questions. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. Basic Education Requirements: A) Degree: biological science, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR- B). Combination of education and experience - at least 24 semester hours equivalent to a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines relative to the position, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education. Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic education requirements described above, applicants must have at least one of the following: For GS-07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service. At this level the incumbent applies basic knowledge of theories, principles and concepts related to ecological principles, ecosystem management, and the interrelationship between biological and physical components within an ecosystem. -OR- One year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education DIRECTLY related to the work of the position -OR-A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement that included coursework DIRECTLY related to the work of the position. 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. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet total qualification requirements for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Creditable experience must demonstrate similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. For GS-9: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Professional knowledge of related disciplines in natural resources management, such as wildlife biology, botany, rangeland ecology, hydrology, and soils, and be able to incorporate considerations from these disciplines into related natural resources program management and implementation. Thorough knowledge of the principles and guidance provided by the National EnvironmentalPolicy Act, Endangered Species Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the TaylorGrazing Act, and related natural resource regulations and laws. -OR- Education: Two (2) years of progressively higher level directly related graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualification requirements for this position by combining specialized experience and appropriate directly related graduate education. GS-11: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: : Professional knowledge of theories, principles, and concepts of natural resources management to develop landscape plans and evaluate and advise on the effects of other Field Office Programs on natural resources. Professional knowledge of performing habitat field inventories by setting objectives and goals, developing monitoring plans, and analyzing data for inclusion in planning documents. Professional knowledge of related disciplines in natural resources management, such as wildlife biology, botany, rangeland ecology, hydrology, and soils, and be able to incorporate considerations from these disciplines into related natural resources program management and implementation. If using education to qualify for this position, your GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATION must have provided you with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform natural resources duties on public lands. Equivalent combinations of post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level of 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.Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11. At lower grade levels, assignments will be performed at a more limited scope and with less independence, allowing the incumbent to progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Physical Demands and Work Environment: This position varies from principally sedentary in completing office phases of the duties assigned to performing field work. The field work will require physical activity in driving and walking to, from and around locations in rough terrain, adverse conditions, and adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, wind, and temperature extremes, along with other hazards including wildlife and hazardous materials which are common to the oil field. The work requires special safety precautions and may require personal protective gear.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, or a combination of education and experience - at least 24 semester hours equivalent to a major field of study in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines relative to the position, plus appropriate experience and/or additional education.

Proof of Education: Applicants must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, see Required Documents section.

Contacts

• Address BLM Montana State Office BLM Montana State Office, MT-933 Branch of Human Resources 5001 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101 US
• Name: Kevin Wilkerson
• Phone: 406-896-5203
• Email: [email protected]