Clarification from the agency

FWS- wide: Open to current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees serving under a Career or Career-Conditional appointment, Land Management eligibles, CTAP.

The Supervisory Land Management Law Enforcement Officer serves as the Deputy Regional Chief of Refuge Law Enforcement. Directing and managing all aspects of the regional refuge law enforcement program, a critical agency function that protects natural, cultural, and human resources. This is accomplished through oversight of investigations, apprehensions, and detention of individuals who violate federal laws. Major duties include:

• Serving as Deputy Regional Chief of Refuge Law Enforcement, providing advisory and technical expertise on law enforcement issues to regional leadership and refuge managers.
• Assuming executive-level responsibilities during continuity of operations or emergency incident management events, ensuring mission-critical law enforcement functions across multiple states and jurisdictions.
• Assisting in managing the regional refuge law enforcement program, including fiscal responsibility for budget allocations and coordination with Headquarters on Service-wide initiatives.
• Sharing responsibility for criminal and civil investigations, and exercise line authority over Federal Wildlife Zone Officers conducting enforcement activities such as investigations, arrests, and prosecutions.
• Upholding laws, treaties, and regulations to protect plants, fish, and wildlife on Service lands and easements, ensuring safe and lawful public use of these areas.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• 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 your duties.
• Official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform is required.
• Supervisory Probationary Period: Selectees who have not previously completed a supervisory probationary period, will be required to serve a 1-year supervisory/managerial probationary period for this position.
• Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: 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 the Selective Service. To verify registration, visit SSS.gov.
• Must complete basic law enforcement training, including the Land Management Police Training Program (FLETC) or an equivalent, the Federal Wildlife Officer Basic Training (FWOBT), and the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FWS-FTEP).
• The position may require work outside regular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 02/23/2026 will be considered.

In addition, to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications GS-13:
One (1) year of full-time specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level (comparable to GS-12) in the Federal government. Specialized experience includes: 1) Developing strategic goals, objectives, or work plans at the regional or national level related to law enforcement training; 2) Providing law enforcement oversight, technical guidance, or leadership at the national or regional level; 3) Planning, facilitating, and supervising training both internally and externally with Federal, state and local partners on all areas related to training, such as policy, equipment and curriculum requirements; and 4) Developing long range regional budget projection plans and make determinations for allocations of funds for resources, operational costs, or training 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.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method. Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements.

Positions that require the use of a Firearm: 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.

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.

Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Duty Station: This position is located within Region 4. Duty stations may include locations in the following states:

• Alabama: Decatur, Grand Bay
• Arkansas: Pottsville, Bald Knob
• Florida: Titusville, Deland, Boynton Beach
• Georgia: Atlanta, Round Oak
• Louisiana: Lacombe, Monroe
• Mississippi: Starkville, Gautier
• South Carolina: Mateo, Hollywood, Hardeeville
• Tennessee: Springville

This position is covered under the Special Salary Table for the 1801 Law Enforcement occupational series. Pay is determined by the duty station and the applicable special salary table, which includes locality adjustments. Current 2026 Special Salary Tables are available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/special-rates/. Please Note: If selected, may be assigned to a regional office, field office, current duty station, or another DOI-owned or leased worksite at management's discretion. Questions regarding duty station placement will be addressed during the interview process.

Permanent Change in Stations (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.
-In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements may be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP 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. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the accomplishment record evaluation, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/"

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) P.L. 114-47: Allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation may be requested from the supervisors of the positions you held during your 24-month period. If they did not complete performance appraisals, ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).
Current appointees:

• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Former appointees:

• Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency;
• Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;
• Must apply for position within 2 years after separation;
• Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND
• Must have performed at an acceptable level.

Physical Demands: Mostly sedentary but may require strenuous activity such as standing, walking, running, or crawling over rough terrain day or night. Must shift quickly from desk work to physical tasks. Requires safe use of firearms, defensive tactics, and operation of vehicles, watercraft, horseback, and light aircraft. Must be prepared to use force, including deadly force to protect life and property.

Work Environment: Primarily office but includes outdoor work in extreme weather and remote areas. Irregular hours, emergencies, and high-risk situations require safety protocols and protective gear. Travel may involve foot, vehicles, boats, aircraft, or horseback. Risks include accidents, flying in small aircraft, and confined conditions for extended periods.

How you will be evaluated

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

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two (2) pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. 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.

You will be evaluated based on how your application materials reflect the qualification requirements of this position. Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are minimally qualified for this job, Human Resources will complete a review of your resume and supporting documentation.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications requirement(s), the best qualified candidates will be identified through a structured resume review panel that will result in issuing a ranking referral list to the hiring manager. The panel will measure the specialized experience and critical competencies and/or job elements listed below that are required to successfully perform in the position.

• Skill in applying law enforcement principles to investigations, patrol, and surveillance in compliance with Constitutional requirements.
• Knowledge of administrative, procedural, and budgetary policies and methods for developing work plans, schedules, and resource estimates.
• Knowledge of managerial principles and Refuge System policies for law enforcement program management, partner requirements, and operational efficiency.
• Ability to communicate law enforcement objectives and deliver training to diverse audiences using classroom and situational materials.
• Knowledge of interagency jurisdiction and laws on public lands, wildlife protection, and visitor safety, and approaches for coordinating law enforcement operations and implementing mission-support programs.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

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

Required Documents:
1. Resume: You may only submit one (1) resume. Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes. 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.

2. SF-50: (non-award), or equivalent Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee. Your SF-50 (non-award) must show tenure code 1 or 2 in block 24, and position occupied code 1 (competitive service) in block 34. If you have previously held a higher grade than the grade/position you currently occupy, you must submit a copy of the last non-award SF-50 you received for that position.

If you have any questions regarding which SF-50's to submit, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this vacancy announcement before the closing date. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment if you are requesting to be considered Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility. For Public Land Corp eligibility, a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Compliance Hiring Based for Public Land Corps Service is required for verification of eligibility.

3. Performance Appraisal: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

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 Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP, 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 eligible.

4. 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 will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Next steps

Additional locations