Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in the Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, in Sacramento, CA. Information about the area can be found at City of Sacramento. We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

Serve as the technical expert in a combination of lands, minerals leasing, mining law, adjudication functions and requirements. Provide advice and guidance to other examiners, management, and Solicitors on general legal principles, precedent decisions, and proper application and use of public land laws. Adjudicate complex cases that are received or referred for final examining decision including cases with complicated title evidence, land status issues, overlapping withdrawals, and title restrictions. Cases may involve conflicting laws, resource conflicts such as endangered species or archeological issues, policy conflicts which may require negotiations and extensive research. Conduct legal research, analyze regulations, judicial decisions, Solicitor opinions, and other decisions that impact land and mineral adjudications. 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. Present evidence and recommendations to members of the public, and land, mineral, mining, and energy related agencies. Provide advice, assistance, and instruction in legal interpretation and other information on land and mineral leasing laws. Prepares a variety of legal documents and responses to protest, contest, disclaimers, and appeals.

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.
• 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 probationary period or two year trial period depending on appointment type.

Qualifications

This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met to be considered. Please read the Education section to ensure you meet this requirement. 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. In addition to the IOR, You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the lower grade level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: To qualify for the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9. Examples of specialized experience may include: Experience processing complex applications, claims or requests for a broad range of land or mineral leasing and mining laws. Independently research facts and evidence, locating precedents, and drafting letters, notices, and decisions. Provide guidance on complex or unusual claims or applications for rights of interest in mineral leasing, mining, or public lands. Recognize problems that may cause unfavorable public reactions. Interpret and apply numerous provisions of land law or mineral leasing and mining laws and implementing regulations. Coordinate land law cases with numerous parties or major interests (e.g., a large oil company) and relatively high property or economic values. Verify rights or privileges to acquire title to or use of lands or resources based on prior ownership and subsequent conveyances from third parties. OR a Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR related LL. M. OR A combination of qualifying experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify. 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 by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Physical Demands: Work is predominantly sedentary although there is some walking, stooping, and bending involved when searching for records. Work Environment: Work is complete in a typical office setting.

Education

This position has an individual occupational requirement. To be considered, applicants must meet one of the below requirements:

1. Graduate education that includes 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. Graduate study alone may not provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work. Applicants may be required to have specialized experience at the appropriate grade level.
2. Experience in or directly related to examination or adjudication of cases involving laws and regulations dealing with lands and resources. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
   • Adjudication or examination of applications and claims for the disposal, use of, or title to public lands, issuance of leases, licenses, or permits for land or resources use, and resolving conflicts arising from use.
   • General practice of law that included substantial involvement in examinations of titles or other legal transactions involving acquisition, lease, or disposal of land.
   • Title searching, abstracting, or interpreting land records, survey plats, or tract indexes and books, provided the work demonstrated an understanding of the laws, regulations, and policies associated with land management programs.
   • Work as a land appraiser that involved appraisal of undeveloped or marginal-type land.

If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information.

Contacts

• Address BLM California State Office BLM California State Office, CA-945 2800 Cottage Way Suite W-1623 Sacramento, CA 95825 US
• Name: Jessica Baker
• Phone: 209-305-2069
• Email: [email protected]