Range Technician

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

At the full performance level GS-09, the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform technical rangeland management work in support of natural resource management programs in rangeland environments.
• Develop Allotment Management Plans (AMP) and/or watershed plans in accordance with land use plans.
• Ensure permits and leases are compliant, and monitor range allotments for compliance with permit conditions. Assist with developing grazing management prescriptions.
• Identify and initiate needed range improvements and initiate/conduct environmental compliance evaluations on projects.
• Assist with identifying and documenting common plant species.
• Assist with the maintenance of range improvements using commonly used methods, tools, and equipment.
• Collect field data, enter information into computer applications, and assist in developing basic reports and maps.
• Initiate and conduct National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations on related projects.
• Assist in tracking and monitoring workload unit accomplishments and recommending adjustments in the Integrated Weed Management (IWM) program.

Physical Demands: Frequent field work requires a considerable amount of walking, riding, stooping, bending, and lifting.

Working Conditions: Much of the time is spent in the field where exposure to extremes of heat and cold, rough terrain, insects, snakes, and other hazards are common.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Salary Range is:
GS-0455-05: $40,736 to $52,957
GS-0455-06: $45,409 to $59,031
GS-0455-07: $50,460 to $65,599
GS-0455-08: $55,882 to $72,644
GS-0455-09: $61,722 to $80,243

Pay will vary by grade level selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/09/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. All candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.

Qualifications

To receive credit for experience, 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. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following:(1) collecting information on livestock for records or reports; (2) utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to orient to location and read maps; (3) inspect/inventory/maintain condition of fences and water developments.
-OR-
Education: You must have successfully completed of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited institution (a) with major study in an appropriate field of Forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position; at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable. You must include transcripts
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: To combine education and experience, first divide your total fulltime months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) performing the following: 1) documenting and collecting information for reports and updating and maintaining records; 2) utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps for field work; (3) assist with monitoring of agreements and permits for conformance to specifications.
-OR-
Education: Successful completion of a half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: To combine education and experience, first divide your total fulltime months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 9. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sector) performing the following: (1) serve as crew lead for rangeland specific projects; (2) monitor rangeland vegetation for utilization; (3) plan and conduct range use supervision and allotment inspections for conformance to specifications; (4) provide assistance in organizing and documenting grazing administration files..
-OR-
Education: You must have successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: To combine education and experience, first take divide your total fulltime months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Utilizing various computer programs to maintain and retrieve information from automated applications and data systems; Conducting tests and inspections using work methods and techniques that were standard to rangeland management functions; Recommending or performing rangeland management support work such as the installation of boundary and drift fences, water developments, implementation of re-vegetation projects, or the treatment of noxious weeds; Performing a variety of assignments in support of rangeland management programs or projects where methods and techniques were generally applicable but sometimes required minor deviations based on field conditions; Assisting in range capacity studies such as allotment analysis and production utilization studies; Assisting in planning a wide variety of rangeland management support work such as re-vegetation, fencing, spring developments, cattle guard placement, erosion control, or the treatment of noxious weeds. Planning, directing, and/or performing the implementation of rangeland management projects and program goals, and independently applying conventional solutions and practices for a variety of problems; Assisting supervisor in tracking and monitoring workload unit accomplishments and recommending adjustments in the Integrated Weed Management (IWM) program.
-OR-
Education: You must have successfully completed at least one and a half years (i.e., 27 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: To combine education and experience, first take divide your total fulltime months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) You must include transcripts.

Qualifications Continued in the Education Section.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of any additional assessment(s) required for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories:

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position

• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job

• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
  

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the USA Hire Assessment, if required.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/09/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement:

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
2. Complete All Required Assessment(s).
3. All college transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Please submit both undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, as applicable.
4. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
5. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

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

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