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Field Staff Law Enforcement (LE) Ranger

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Montana/Dakotas State Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

These positions are located in the Eastern Montana District Office (duty stations Miles City, MT and Belle Fourche, SD) and North Central Montana District Office (duty station Malta, MT). Visit the respective Chamber of Commerce websites for area information.

We expect to fill three (3) vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/14/2023 to 09/28/2023
Salary
$57,118 to - $89,835 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Malta, MT
Miles City, MT
Belle Fourche, SD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Travel is required to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and field site visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11 - Developmental position, GS-11 full performance level. Selection at lower grade level will allow performance of the duties with reduced level of responsibility and/or difficulty while receiving on-the-job, trainee assignments or appropriate training.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Announcement number
MTMP-23-12116553-AMB
Control number
749266900

Duties

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  • Patrols public lands and popular recreation sites to promote safety, security, and environmental protection of public lands, public land users, and employees.
  • Protect cultural and historical sites from vandalism and theft. Investigate archaeological and historical artifact and paleontological violations.
  • Issues warnings and citations or makes arrests, and files complaints with the court.
  • Investigate wildland arson, mineral resource theft, and hazardous materials dumping or other pollutants.
  • Assists other law enforcement rangers and special agents on specific investigations, prepares investigation reports.
  • Ensure the humane treatment of wild horses and burros.
  • Prevent and investigate theft and damage of timber, rare plants, minerals, and other valuable publicly-owned resources.
  • Works with other law enforcement agencies to provide security at recreation sites.
  • Work closely with State counterparts to protect public safety for large-scale recreational events.
  • Maintains liaison with officials of cooperating Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Medical and Physical Requirements: Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical and physical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
  • This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.
  • This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status. The incumbent is required to wear the uniform in accordance with applicable policies and be required to sign a condition of uniform wear statement.
  • This position requires you to accept, maintain, and exercise law enforcement authority.
  • Must qualify with and maintain (annual/semiannual) firearms qualification and must safely utilize firearms, nonlethal weapons, and defensive tactics in the conduct of daily activities.
  • An applicant appointed to this position must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
  • May require a one-year probationary period.
  • This is a Drug Testing Designated Position. You will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use and pass prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • 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.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older to be assigned to a hazardous position.
  • 37th BIRTHDAY: The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement (or firefighter, if applicable) experience, or you are a preference eligible veteran.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

  • Successfully completed or will complete (within 12 months on duty) the Land Management Training Program (LMTP), OR Natural Resource Police Training (NRPT) OR National Park Ranger Integrated Training Program (NPRI). This information is clearly indicated in your resume and certificate of completion is provided in supporting documents.
  • Possess a valid, current, State driver's license.
  • Prior primary experience and training as a law enforcement officer carrying out duties involving the investigation, apprehension, and/or detention, of persons suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States.
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.

Your resume MUST contain job title (include job series and grade, if federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.

To qualify at the GS-09 level: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: prior experience as a law enforcement officer providing foot and vehicle patrol; assisting in the prosecution of violators of law; issuing warnings and citations; making arrests; and preparing investigation reports.
-OR-
In lieu of specialized experience, applicants may substitute their education. Qualifying education at this level is defined as 2 full years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or a master's degree.
-OR-
A combination of both education and experience may be qualifying. Education should be in a field that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work, e.g. law enforcement, police administration, criminology or criminal justice. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

To qualify at the GS-11 level: Applicants must have successfully completed the Land Management Police Training (LMPT), Natural Resource Police Training (NRPT), or National Park Ranger Integrated (NPRI) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Examples include: experience that demonstrates knowledge of law enforcement duties, (identifying violations/crimes; investigating and apprehending suspects; enforcing laws and regulations that relate to public land and resources; preparing investigation reports; participating in search and rescue operations, etc.) in an environment responsible for the management of public lands and its natural resources, which includes participating in incidental natural resource management activities.
-OR -
In lieu of specialized experience, applicants may substitute their education. Qualifying education at the GS-11 includes successful completion of three (3) full years of graduate level study or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work, e.g. law enforcement, police administration, criminology or criminal justice. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.
-OR-
A combination of both education and experience may be qualifying. Education should be in a field that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work, e.g. law enforcement, police administration, criminology or criminal justice. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

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.

Firearm Requirement: See additional information section.

Must successfully complete 40 hours of in-service training annually.

Must maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority.

All Law Enforcement Rangers who are new to the BLM are required to complete the introduction to Resource Protection Training Program within their first two years of assignment.

All Law Enforcement Rangers will complete the Natural Resource Police Training (NRPT) at the FLETC or an approved equivalent law enforcement training school before they are delegated law enforcement authority. This training must be completed within the first 12 months of appointment. Successful completion of the BLM's Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) must occur within one year of receiving delegation of law enforcement authority. Failure to complete the FTEP will result in the loss of law enforcement delegation and/or termination of employment.

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: The incumbent must be able to safely utilize firearms, non-lethal weapons, and defensive tactics in the conduct of daily activities. The work requires considerable strenuous physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing, crawling, walking and running over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces and through wooded or brush areas, performing these activities day or night, when the incumbent may be required to respond immediately from a sedentary activity to an extremely arduous activity.

The duties of this position are so rigorous that a physical examination is required to ensure that the employee assigned can perform the duties without physical injury to self or others. Employees must meet the arduous physical and medical standards identified in BLM law enforcement policy.

The incumbent must be prepared, at all times, to defend himself/herself and others against physical attack, including the use of physical violence or, as a last resort, deadly force.

Work Environment: Work is performed both in an office setting and outdoors with exposure to hazardous and environmentally adverse conditions. Fieldwork is normally performed alone in isolated areas and for extended periods of time. Many investigations occur in isolated areas of the public lands. The remote areas are in high mountains as well as desert areas, canyons, and other types of rough terrain. This type of work involves potenially high risks with personal exposure to dangerous situations, including possible physical attack or other uncomfortable conditions.

The incumbent is regularly exposed to temperature and weather extremes, and will travel on foot or by specialty vehicles, e.g., four-wheel drive, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles, aircraft, or horseback to these remote locations to gather evidence and to arrest violators.

Education

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

Additional information

Firearm Requirement: This position authorizes you to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition [Title 18, U.5.C., Section 922(g)(9)]. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted", as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expungement or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not qualified for this position. Applicants under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense.

This is a primary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Tax Law Impact for PCS: Moving expenses reimbursement is a taxable benefit. However, the Federal Travel Regulation 18-05 issued by General Services Administration has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance and Relocation Income Tax Allowance to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under number MTDE-23-12116554-AMB, which is open to all qualified persons. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Criminal Investigation
  • Oral Communication
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Writing

In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

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