Land Law Examiner
What you'd do
Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State office, in the Division of Support Services. We expect to fill two vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.
Major duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Utilizes data systems and applications to collect, enter, manipulate, update, and maintain data according to prescribed program standards. Ensures data quality and integrity by adherence to quality control standards and procedures. Processes and makes determinations on cases that set precedent and have significant economic impact, competing government interests, and/or affect several different geographic areas including the national level. May also lead teams of other examiners in completing a large and complex land law case or developing additional guidance for legal case management. Adjudicates difficult, unusual, complex, controversial, unprecedented cases that are received or referred for final examining and decision. These actions often require extensive legal research into old inactive or infrequently used laws, rules, and regulations that are also in conflict with other laws or policies and therefore require very precise interpretation. As a senior level examiner, routinely provides advice and guidance to other examiners, management and/or Solicitors on general legal principles, precedent decisions, and the proper application and use of varied, different, arcane, and infrequently used public land laws, including special and private acts of Congress.
What you need to qualify
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. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 07/24/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. At the GS-09 Level: Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service as a land law examiner or a directly related position. Examples of specialized experience include: adjudication or examination of applications or claims for the disposal, use of, or title to lands; issuance of leases, licenses, or permits for land use; interpreting land records; work as a land appraiser; general practice of law including legal transactions involving acquisition, lease, or disposal of land. -OR- Education: Completed two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or equivalent such as LLB or J.D that included or was supplemented by 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. -OR- Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. At the GS-11 Level: Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service as a land law examiner or a directly related position. Examples of specialized experience include: processing applications, claims or requests for information on land records or the disposal of land; adjudicating complex agreements and applications for technical accuracy and compliance with federal land laws, regulations, and policies; possess the ability to interpret legal land descriptions, verify boundaries, confirm applicable rights and interests, and ensure federal policy and regulatory standards are followed. -OR- Education: Completed a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., that included or was supplemented by 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. -OR- Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. For current Federal employees, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 or cost of living increase SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. 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. Volunteer Experience: 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.
Before you apply
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