Land Management Law Enforcement Officer

Full Job Description

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

Only experience and education obtained by 04/14/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualifications GL-05: 1.

Three (3) years of progressively responsible general experience, one of which is equivalent to at least the GS/GL-04 in the Federal Service.

Examples of work may include: 1) assisting with investigations of criminal activity (such as crimes against persons, theft, property damage, or trespassing); 2) assisting in the preparation of investigative reports; and 3) assisting in the collection and seizure of evidence.

-OR- 2.

Successful completion of a four (4)-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree or possession of a 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 sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other fields directly related to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

-OR- 3.

Successful completion of a combination of undergraduate education and general experience, as described above, that together demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work.

Education and experience are creditable in proportion to the requirements, and the total must equal 100% of the qualification requirements.

Only education beyond the first two (2) years of post-secondary study is creditable toward this combination. Minimum Qualifications GL-07: 1.

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS/GL-05 in the Federal service.

Examples may include: 1) investigating criminal activity pertaining to violence against a person, theft, destruction of property, or trespassing; 2) preparing investigative case reports and reviewing or searching records; and 3) issuing warnings or citations for violations of law, regulation, or traffic requirements.

-OR- 2. Successful completion of one (1) full year of graduate-level education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position.

Acceptable fields include, but are not limited to: 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 fields directly related to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

-OR- 3. Successful completion of a combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet the total qualification requirements.

Only graduate education beyond the bachelor's degree is creditable, and when combined with specialized experience, the total must equal 100% of the qualification requirements. -OR- 4.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): A bachelor's degree in a qualifying major as described above AND evidence of SAA based on one of the following: 1) Ranking in the upper one-third (1/3) of the graduating class; 2) Election to a recognized national scholastic honor society; 3) A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate coursework; 4) A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for coursework completed during the final two (2) years of the bachelor's program; 5) A GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on all completed coursework in the major field of study; or 6) A GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major field of study during the final two (2) years of the bachelor's program.

To verify SAA, applicants must submit transcripts that clearly show how GPA was calculated.

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.

Probationary Period: The 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 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 period, such appointments are terminated.

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

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 rating criteria for this position., 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. Major Duties:

This is a developmental position leading to the GS-11 full-performance level. As the incumbent progresses, duties will increase in complexity.

At the full-performance level, a Land Management Law Enforcement Officer performs duties including, but 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 ensure the protection and safe use of national wildlife refuges 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.

Promotion Potential: Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. 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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire