Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Land Surveyor

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is a Land Surveyor, GS- 1373-11/12 working for the R2-Division of Realty.


This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R2-23-12107607-JL-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/14/2023 to 10/27/2023
Salary
$69,107 to - $107,680 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection,
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
R2-23-12107605-JL-DE
Control number
749234700

Duties

Help

As a Land Surveyor your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Perform boundary retracement surveys for land acquisitions, title and boundary disputes, land exchanges, and law enforcement activities
  • Write reports and provide consultation on boundary location, legal description, title policy exceptions, and analysis of recorded documents.
  • Perform boundary retracement surveys for the purpose of marking federal land boundaries.
  • Draft survey plats and map exhibits using CAD.
  • Administer contracts for boundary retracement surveys and assist with preparation cost estimates, statements of work, proposals evaluation, and review of deliverables.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • 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 will 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.
  • Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: This position is subject to a financial disclosure requirement and you will be required to complete either OGE Form 278e or OGE Form 450 as applicable within 30 days of your appointment
  • 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 10/27/2023 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification.

Basic Requirement:

  1. Have successfully completed 4-full years of study leading to a Bachelor's degree or higher in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis. The civil engineering major must have included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. OR
  2. Have a combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in land surveying or civil engineering as described in paragraph A, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR
  3. have satisfied the Basic requirements for this series by having a current registration as a land surveyor in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia obtained by written examination. Such registration must have been obtained under conditions outlined in the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE) Unified Model Law for Registration of Surveyors. Applicants wishing to be considered under this provision must show evidence of registration based on successful completion of the written examinations. Registrations granted prior to adoption of a registration law with qualification requirements equivalent to the NCEE Model Law by the State, territory, or District of Columbia are not acceptable under this option. To be considered equivalent to the NCEE Model law, registration laws must include the four options listed within the NCEE Unified Model Law in the section specifying "General Requirements for Registration" as a Professional Land Surveyor.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-09 in the
    Federal service. Experience may include: Assist in the performance of land surveying tasks including the use of deeds,
    surveys, and other documents to conduct property boundary and title research in order to investigate, recover, and
    measure survey monuments and other boundary evidence with terrestrial or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
    instruments, and use computer aided drafting (CAD) software to create survey plats; Review land survey drawings for
    conformance to specifications; Communicate land survey results in writing to produce reports, and legal descriptions; &
    Utilize measuring systems (e.g. photogrammetry, remote sensing, computer software, Global Navigation Satellite
    Systems, and Total Stations). OR
  2. 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to this position.. OR
  3. A combination of qualifying specialized experience and qualifying graduate education (both as described above) that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only education beyond the second graduate year (36 semesters) is creditable using this method
Minimum Qualification [GS-12]
  1. One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in
    the Federal service. Experience may include: Performance of land surveying tasks including the use of deeds, surveys,
    and other documents to conduct property boundary and title research in order to investigate, recover, and measure
    survey monuments and other boundary evidence with terrestrial or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
    instruments, and use computer aided drafting (CAD) software to create survey plats; Review land survey drawings for
    conformance to specifications; Communicate land survey results in writing to produce reports, and legal descriptions;
    Utilize measuring systems (e.g. photogrammetry, remote sensing, computer software, Global Navigation Satellite
    Systems, and Total Stations); Establish, investigate, and re-establish land and property boundaries; and Serve as client's
    representative on land survey matters involving land ownership and boundary surveys, including disputed boundary
    claims, and property ownership.

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

Additional information

A Recruitment or Relocation incentive may be authorized to eligible candidates at Management's discretion.

CERTIFICATIONS:
Must possess, or be able to obtain, a Professional Land Surveyor certificate of registration for one of the states in the region which is advertising this position within two years from entrance on duty and maintain it for the duration of the appointment.

The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain certification as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the duration of the appointment. Obtain and maintain appropriate FAC-C Certification (or equivalent) certification

PCS INFORMATION:

Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable.

In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Telework:
This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.
For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

"Duty Stations: The duty station for this position will be located in the Southwest Region which includes the States of New Mexico and Arizona. The salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. Locality tables may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/general-schedule/. Please Note: If selected, you may be placed at a regional office, field office, current duty station, or other DOI-owned or leased worksite at the discretion of management. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process."

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of the principles, concepts, statutes, laws, policies and practices of land surveying and mapping, including
    underlying mathematical and physical science in order to perform, or contract boundary surveys of land, coordinate
    projects, and evaluate contractor's suitability and performance.
  • Skill in the use of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), high-precision
    optical survey equipment, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying procedures in order to collect
    geospatial data.
  • Written communication skills.
  • Skill in verbal communication.
  • Ability to solve and/or reconcile land survey issues in order to coordinate with contractors, local surveyors, and state and
    federal agencies.
For the GS-11 level, Ability to solve and/or reconcile land survey issues in order to coordinate with contractors, local surveyors, and state and federal agencies will not be rated.

This vacancy will utilize a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first hurdle will consist of applicants completing an occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second hurdle will consist of applicant resumes being reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for related position competencies against a pre-determined rating schedule. This process will determine the final rating of the applicant for possible referral to the hiring official for hiring consideration.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.

The category rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.