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Natural Resources Specialist (Park Ranger)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Omaha District, Garrison Project Office and Oahe Project Office

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: At full performance, serves as a natural resource management (NRM) staff specialist for a major water resource project(s). Performs a variety of assignments involving all aspects of project operations including natural resources, recreation, and environmental compliance.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,460 - $95,969 per year

Williston, ND and Riverdale, ND: GS-07: $60,348 - $78,455; GS-09: $73,818 - $95,969; Pierre, SD: GS-07: $50,460 - $65,599; GS-09: $61,722 - $80,243

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Promotion potential
9
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Temporary Duty (TDY) travel is approximately 10%.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CEDE-26-13054275-DHA
Control number
885846200

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Duties

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  • Participates in the development of various planning documents including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of natural and park resources.
  • Assists in developing and implementing specific land use plans while integrating public use with fish, wildlife, vegetation, soil, air, park and water resources management.
  • Conducts public education and interpretive services for the general public and for special groups.
  • Enforces Title 36 CFR by educating the visiting public on project purposes, conservation measures, environmental features, and Corps policies and regulations.
  • Patrols public lands and waters to prevent unauthorized use, trespass, destruction of natural, cultural, or historic resources or government property; to ensure compliance with rules and regulations; and for the protection of public lands and waters.
  • Assists with lake's environmental compliance and safety program.
  • Participates in all aspects of park management.
  • Evaluates proposed real estate actions and performs real estate outgrant inspections.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License.
  • Must possess or be able to acquire Title 36 Citation Authority within one year.
  • May require walking across moderately rough terrain for short periods of time and/or being exposed to varying weather conditions.
  • Obtain and maintain a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat license within 1 year of being appointed.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and blood-borne pathogen training. (Agency will provide)
  • May be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays depending on the needs of the project.
  • Must wear appropriate safety gear and protective clothing as required.
  • Must wear prescribed uniform in accordance with standards and policy.
  • Must obtain an applicator license (pesticides/herbicides) within 1 year of appointment.
  • Pre-employment physical is required to include respirator fit.
  • Participation in the Medical Surveillance Program required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Natural Resource Specialist (0401):

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

For the GS-07:

Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes applying environmental policies and regulations (such as NEPA); providing visitor assistance or public safety information; patrolling public lands to identify unauthorized use; and assisting with the administration of recreation or shoreline management plans (such as processing permits or conducting compliance inspections). This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or chemistry.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:

(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-09:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes : participating in the development or implementation of long-range and short-range recreation and park management plans; delivering educational or interpretive programs to the public; and assisting with environmental compliance, safety programs, or conducting environmental/technical reviews of proposed land-use actions (such as permits, easements, or outgrants). This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or chemistry.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

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 programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction.htm for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • The Defense National Relocation Program (DNRP) is not authorized.
  • Non-Competitive promotion potential to the target grade (GS-09)
  • Management may select at any grade level announced.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
  • The following incentives MAY BE authorized: Recruitment Incentive, Relocation Incentive, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), we do not just construct infrastructure; we engineer the future of our Nation. From securing vital water resource infrastructure and restoring fragile ecosystems to designing world-class facilities for our armed forces and responding to natural disasters, our work touches lives every day.

By joining USACE, you will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact, meaningful projects, collaborate with a diverse network of dedicated professionals, and advance your career. Here, your skills do not just build structures; they build national resilience, protect local communities, and support a safer, stronger tomorrow.

Build Strong With Us - explore our opportunities and engineer your legacy today.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
RH-W2SJ07 USARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-OMAHA
DO NOT MAIL
Omaha, NE 68102
US

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https://www.usace.army.mil/Careers/

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