This position is a Realty Specialist, GS- 1170-11/12 working in Hadley, Massachusetts for the R5-Division of Realty. This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R5-23-12091760-MT-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

The major duties listed represent the grade level of GS-12. At lower grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. As a Realty Specialist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Develops, modifies, and implements procedures and policies to effectively administer the real property transactions and projects for the assigned Region/office. Provides expert consultation and guidance to senior management, technical specialists and staff of state and Federal agencies in matters that are complex or unusual to develop viable solutions or procedures for handling such matters which frequently involve unique or controversial issues that are not readily resolved by the application, adaptation, or extension of conventional approaches. Analyzes technical realty proposals to determine whether they are in accordance with legislative and regulatory criteria and will yield benefits commensurate with proposed costs. Conducts evaluations of projects and proposals that include the substantiality of the soundness of the character and design of project proposals. Monitors and evaluates project activities in the field to determine progress in accomplishment of stated project objectives. Reviews progress and results of projects to confirm that proposals constitute effective and efficient expenditure of funds. Initiates and completes assignments and requirements according to laws, regulations, policies, instruction memoranda, manuals and established practices. Prepares and develops non-traditional legal documents such as flowage, construction and development easements, and leases and permits so there is an understanding between the parties which is necessary to transfer title/ownership rights to real property. Procures and reviews abstracts of title, title certificates or title insurance and submits title case with a purchase contract and other documents. Exams land proposed for acquisition by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Plans and resolves appraisal problems then analyzes and prepares final appraisal reports. Coordinates work with various representatives of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for purposes of securing a clear title in accordance with prevailing legal standards for acquired lands. Ensures that documentation for encumbrances such as liens, mortgages suits and related legal instruments that affect the title of land being acquired by the United States has been fully addressed. Serves on regional and national committees and work groups to address major program issues by conducting program and policy analyses, reviewing and summarizing new legislation and policy proposals, reviewing program documents, and preparing special reports. Develops and maintains cooperative, and effective working relationships with peers and other personnel in the Service, the Department at its bureaus, and other Federal land management entities, and with landowners and other affected parties. Negotiates with private landowners; representative of Federal, state, and local government agencies; corporations; civic organizations; and non-profit associations for the acquisition of property by purchase, lease, easement, exchange, and/or donation. Ensures that land acquisitions or divestures are environmentally sound and will present no potential to harm to the surrounding ecosystems. Addresses and resolves a variety of complex habitat and ecosystem problems and issues involving several functional areas. Participates in the development of a functional FWS Realty Program Strategy working with management to acquire the necessary positions, infrastructure, goals, and funding to address future progression and success of FWS realty and land management goals. Systematically reviews and reconciles unclosed acquisition cases and recommends or takes action to obtain final title opinions to close out files.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
• Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
• Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
• Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 09/01/2023 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification [GS-11] A. I possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree., or possession of a LLM degree, if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR B. I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level of the Federal service that equipped me 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. Examples of specialized experience may include: ensuring federal or state realty policies are adhered to during the acquisition of real property; negotiating with private land owners and public agencies in the most complex, new, or precedent setting cases in order to reach agreement for the purchase of land; and solving land title problems and preparing legal documents such as purchase contracts and other related documents. NOTE: Your resume must include sufficient detail (e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc.) for each work period to be considered. OR C. I possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. Only graduate education beyond the second full year (36 semester hours) is creditable using this method. NOTE: Transcripts required and your resume must contain sufficient detail describing this level of experience to meet this standard. Minimum Qualification [GS-12] I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level of the Federal service that equipped me 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. Examples of specialized experience may include: acquisition of real property; negotiating with various partners (including landowners, non-profit conservation organizations, and governmental bodies) on projects that involve the acquisition of important fish and wildlife habitat; preparing and developing non-traditional legal realty documents; procuring and reviewing abstracts of title; analyzing and taking appropriate action to clear title objections; drafting acceptable legal documents to be executed and recorded in order to vest title; examining lands for proposed acquisition; planning, analyzing and resolving valuation problems; and providing advice to others on realty acquisition matters. NOTE: Your resume must include sufficient detail (e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc.) for each work period to be considered. NOTE: Your resume must include sufficient detail (e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc.) for each work period to be considered. 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.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify 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, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Division of Human Resources Division of Human Resources 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 US
• Name: Human Resources Staffing Division
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]