Land Management Law Enforcement Officer

Full Job Description

This position is a Land Management Law Enforcement Officer, GL/GS- 1801-7/9/11 working for the Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Cost of Living Allowance for Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico: In addition to the yearly salary, this position is entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) 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.

Only experience and education obtained by 04/28/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess Minimum Qualification.

Minimum Qualification [GS-11] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS/GL-9 in the Federal service.

Experience may include: 1) work performed in law enforcement investigating violations of laws and regulations which may include laws pertaining to poaching, illegal hunting, or similar wildlife-related activities; 2) preparing investigative case files according to standard operating procedures to ensure they meet legal requirements; 3) reviewing law enforcement regulations, policies or procedures to recommend improvements or clarifications; and 4) delivering presentations or informal talks to the public about the laws, regulations and policies.

OR Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education, a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree, or a LL.M., in a directly related 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.

OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

Minimum Qualification [GL-09] One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS/GL-7 in the Federal service.

Experience may include: 1) work performed investigating criminal activity; 2) providing resource protection which may include investigating wildland arson, illegal hunting, trapping, plant and wildlife poaching, or illegal sport fishing; 3) securing and protecting crime scenes, seizing evidence, or issuing citations, and 4) testifying or preparing documentation in court proceedings.

OR Master's, or equivalent graduate degree or have successfully completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education, or LL.B.

or J.D, with 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.

OR A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

Minimum Qualification [GL-07] 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 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 A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement.

OR 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.

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.

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) 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. Pay Plans: Grade level 7 and 9 falls under GL pay plan. Grade level 11 falls under GS.

Telework: This position is not suitable for telework. Major 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 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.