Land Management Law Enforcement Officer Job

Vacancy No. MR-25-12724340-SW-DE Department U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Salary $49,739.00 to $71,615.00 Grade 5 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/2/2025 Close Date 5/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anchorage, AKBethel, AKElk Grove, CAFremont, CA


Summary

This position is a Land Management Law Enforcement Officer, GL- 1801-5/7 working in for the Division of Refuge Law Enforcment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Duties

As a Land Management Law Enforcement Officer your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Detect, investigate, apprehend, detain, arrest, and/or issue citations and file criminal complaints; and prosecute violators of a variety of law enforcement acts, laws, rules, and regulations that have been enacted to insure the protection and safe use of national wildlife refuge resources.
  • Investigate the occurrence of theft or disturbance of archeological resources, illegal harvesting of plants and animals, traffic violations, marijuana cultivation, use or sale of illegal drugs, crimes against persons or property and trespassing.
  • Investigate violation of applicable Federal and State fish and wildlife laws including poaching, illegal hunting of waterfowl, illegal use of aircraft for hunting migratory waterfowl and commercial fishing.
  • Enforce applicable laws and regulations concerning the possession, use, distribution, trafficking, cultivation, and manufacture of controlled substances on Service managed lands.
  • Prepare investigations or case reports by documenting findings and facts, obtaining witness statements and copies of official records, and including pertinent evidence, correspondence, maps, historical information, exhibits, and photographs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Selectees tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
  • This position requires the incumbent to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of their official duties. Selectee must hold and maintain a valid state driver’s license throughout their employment in this position.
  • Selectees will be required to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties.
  • Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
  • Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • 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.
  • Complete the Administrative Careers With America (ACWA) Assessment.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date 05/15/2025 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GL-07]
  1. One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS/GL-5 in the Federal service. Experience may include:1) investigating criminal activity pertaining to violence against a person, theft, destruction of property, or trespassing; 2) preparing investigation case reports and searching records; and 3) issuing warnings or traffic citations. OR
  2. Completed 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: natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement. OR
  4. Superior Academic Achievement: bachelor's degree with a major field of study in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Superior academic achievement is defined as one of the following: 1) rank in the upper 1/3 of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; 2) earned election to a national scholastic honor society; 3) earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of all completed undergraduate courses; 4) earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of all undergraduate classes completed during the final 2 years; 5) earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of all completed undergraduate courses in a major field of study; or 6) earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of all undergraduate courses in a major field of study completed during the final 2 years. To verify your claim for this provision, please submit a college transcript(s) showing that you maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 for all 4 years of undergraduate courses, or, on all undergraduate courses completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum, including all transferred courses.
Minimum Qualification [GL-05]
  1. Three years of progressively responsible general experience, one of which is equivalent to at least the GS/GL-04 in the Federal Service. Experience may include: 1) assisting in investigating criminal activity pertaining to violence against a person, theft, destruction of property or trespassing; 2) assisting with preparing investigation case reports; and 3) assisting in collecting and seizing evidence. OR
  2. Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or bachelor's degree with major study in natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum science, business administration, behavioral science, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. OR
  3. A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.
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.

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. 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 for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. 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.

For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

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.
-Discretionary entitlements are not authorized for this position.

Telework:
This position is not suitable for telework.

Alaska Return Rights (excludes Anchorage and Fairbanks): If you are a current U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee in a professional series, and you are transferring from a Region outside of Alaska, you will be eligible to return to a position in your home Region upon completion of a minimum 3-year tour of duty in Alaska. If you exercise this option, your home Region will place you in a position of equivalent grade in the same general occupational classification series that you occupied in Alaska. For the professional series at the GS-5 level or above.

Applicants are ineligible for this position if ANY time they have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence, unless such conviction was expunged, set aside or the applicant receives a pardon.

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.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

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 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Additional information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Drug Testing Designated position: All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: You must pass a pre-employment medical examination and psychological screening. Also, you may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if you are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license in order to operates motor vehicles, or special purpose law enforcement vehicles of various types including four-wheel drives, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and small watercraft.
Require to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform.
Require to submit an OF-178, Certificate of Medical Examination, if the form is not already on file.
Require to accept, maintain, and exercise law enforcement authority.
Must be certified in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid or emergency medical services (EMS).
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.
Must undergo screening for Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB).
This position sensitivity level has been designated as non-critical sensitive. The selectee must maintain favorable background investigation.
Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorized the incumbent 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.S.C. Section 922(g)(9)). Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
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.
Law Enforcement Retirement: The incumbent of this position performs primary law enforcement work and is eligible for coverage under the law enforcement retirement provisions of Title 5. U.S.C. Part 841 or 842.
Law Enforcement Training: Must successfully complete Land Management Police Training Program (FLTEC) or equivalent, Federal Wildlife Officer Basic Training (FWOBT), and Field Training and Evaluation Program (FWS-FTEP).

Duty Station Locations: The salary will be determined based on the duty station and pay plan once selected. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process. Locality tables may be found at: www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/law-enforcement-officer/.

You may be required to attend training at Glynco, Georgia. You will be notified during the interview process of which law enforcement training/classes you will need to attend and successfully complete.

Cost of Living Allowance for Alaska and Puerto Rico: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA)as determined by https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates .This allowance is subject to annual review, adjustment, and rate decrease.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 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 considerationor 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 rules of evidence and methods used to maintain the evidence chain of custody (e.g., Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure) and of the elements needed to establish probable cause and reasonable suspicion sufficient to conduct searches and make arrests and seizures under the various laws and regulations enforced.
  • Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations, relevant court decisions that relate to the management of public lands and their natural, cultural, and human resources.
  • Knowledge of investigative principles and techniques sufficient to perform investigations, identify methods and patterns of criminal operations, use available sources of information, interviewing and interrogation techniques.
  • Ability to communicate orally with a variety of audiences including agency employees, the public, and other agencies.
  • Ability to communicate in writing with a variety of audiences including agency employees, the public, and other agencies.

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 does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum 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).

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

1. Resume: Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.

  • Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
    • Classified or government sensitive information
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Photos of yourself
    • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
    • Encrypted and digitally signed documents
Additional Documentation, if applicable:
1. Cover Letter

2. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

3. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

4. Current and former federal employees - It is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointments/separations, promotions, within-grade increases.

5. College Transcripts: Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. 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 or the application text. You may qualify for more than one eligibility, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the eligibility criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents section.

Click 'Apply' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

  1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12724340.
  2. Please ensure you check the acknowledgement checkbox then click the Submit Application button to submit your application.
  3. Applications must be received by 05/15/2025 ,11:59pm ET to receive consideration.
  4. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, in Applications tab, click the position title you applied to for the status. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact the Human Resources Office via email at fwshiring@fws.gov.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division

Next steps

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the hiring official.
You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login) as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.

Additional Locations

  • Los Banos, CA 1 vacancy
  • Petaluma, CA 1 vacancy
  • Watsonville, CA 1 vacancy
  • Detroit Lakes, MN 1 vacancy
  • Fergus Falls, MN 1 vacancy
  • Carpio, ND 1 vacancy
  • Devils Lake, ND 1 vacancy
  • Jamestown, ND 1 vacancy
  • Cabo Rojo, PR 1 vacancy


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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