Field Staff Law Enforcement Ranger

Field Staff Law Enforcement Ranger

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Billings, Montana, Fort Benton, Montana, Glasgow, Montana, Havre, Montana, Malta, Montana, Miles City, Montana, Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Salary Range: $76745 - $99774 Per Year

Job Summary: Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. These positions are being advertised in multiple locations within the Montana/ Dakotas State Office. This position is concurrently open to all U. S. Citizens under Announcement Number BLM-MT-MP-26-12937599-TDS

Major Duties:

• We expect to fill 5 vacancies at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available. This position is responsible to ensure the enforcement of Federal laws and regulations relating to public lands and resources managed by the BLM. The incumbent is a uniformed Law Enforcement officer with fully delegated law enforcement authority. The incumbent may be required to serve as the primary representative of BLM, on behalf of the line manager in a community where assigned or where assigned or where the supervisor is not readily available for guidance and assistance. Major duties include but not limited to: Develop and implement a law enforcement program involving investigations, apprehending violators, interagency coordination, education, and other law enforcement related activities occurring on public lands. investigations: and coordinate law enforcement activities including interpretation of laws and enforcement; investigations, prevention, public safety the law; perform investigations; analyze criminal activity and implement solutions to violations occurring on public lands. Provide both strategic and tactical law enforcement technical advice and guidance to managers and resource staff. Identifies and recommends specific actions to ensure and enhance the protection of natural resources. Develop and maintain liaison with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; coordinates law enforcement efforts having impact with other agencies. Physical Demands: The incumbent must be able to safely utilize firearms, non-lethal weapons, and defensive tactics in the conduct of daily activities. The work requires considerable strenuous physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing, crawling, walking and running over rough, uneven, rocky surfaces and through wooded or brush areas, performing these activities day or night, when the incumbent may be required to respond immediately from a sedentary activity to an extremely arduous activity. The duties of this position are so rigorous that a physical examination is required to ensure that the employee assigned can perform the duties without physical injury to self or others. Employees must meet the arduous physical and medical standards identified in BLM law enforcement policy. The incumbent must be prepared, always, to defend himself/herself and others against physical and armed attack, including the use of physical violence or, as a last resort, deadly force. Working Conditions: Work is performed both in an office setting and outdoors with exposure to hazardous and environmentally adverse conditions. Fieldwork is normally performed in isolated areas and for extended periods of time. Many investigations occur in isolated areas of the public lands. The remote areas are in high mountains as well as desert areas, canyons, and other types of rough terrain. This type of work involves potentially high risks with personal exposure to dangerous situations, including possible physical attack or other uncontrollable conditions. The incumbent is regularly exposed to temperature and weather extremes, and will travel on foot or by specialty vehicles, e.g., four-wheel drives, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles, aircraft, or horseback to these remote locations to gather evidence and to arrest violators. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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/trial 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 -OR- trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. GS-11: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) as a Law Enforcement Ranger or a directly related position, performing the following: (1) carrying out duties involving the investigation, apprehension, and/or detention of persons suspected or convicted of offenses; (2) preparing/analyzing investigation reports by collecting evidence, witness statements, and other pertinent correspondence; (3) applying Federal and state laws related to administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings; and/or (4) collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, management, and specialists to implement resource protection and law enforcement procedures. OR Education: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a directly related field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position. e.g., law enforcement, police administration, criminology, or criminal justice. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR Combination: Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. To calculate your combined amount, first determine the amount of your specialized experience as a percentage of the requirement listed above. Then determine the amount of your graduate education in excess of the first two years (36 semester hours) as a percentage of the requirement listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcript. SELECTIVE FACTOR: Applicants must meet ALL of the following to qualify. Candidates who do not meet this requirement by close of this announcement will receive no further consideration for this position: Maximum Entry Age: This is a primary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS). The position is subject to maximum entry age (MEA) requirements. The maximum entry-age for this position shall not exceed age 37 unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian firefighter experience, law enforcement experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If over the MEA and you are not a veteran, proof of prior covered service must be submitted prior to employment. Acceptable proof consists of SF- 50s showing beginning and ending dates of covered/creditable appointments and copies of approved letters based on individual claims. Driver's License: Possess a valid, current, State driver's license or be able to obtain prior to entrance on duty. Prior experience as a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO): Incumbent must have prior experience as an Law Enforcement Officer carrying out duties involving the investigation, apprehension, and/or detention of persons suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States. Domestic Violence Conviction: Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition [Title 18, U.5.C., Section 922(g)(9)]. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted", as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expungement or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not qualified for this position. Applicants under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. Incumbent in this position cannot have a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction prohibiting him/her from possessing, receiving, transferring, or accessing firearms or ammunition in violation of the provisions of 18 USC 922. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Volunteer Experience: 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. You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Firearm Requirement: This position authorizes you 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.5.C., Section 922(g)(9)]. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted", as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expungement or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statute are not qualified for this position. Applicants under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense.

How to Apply: THIS IS AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS THROUGH USAJOBS. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by 05/06/2026. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at terry_sutton@ios.doi.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the Internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying. PLEASE NOTE: If you have access to a public library, State Job Service Office, etc., you should use these resources to apply online. You must follow the steps described below to complete the application process: YOU MUST HAVE OR CREATE A PROFILE IN USAJOBS. Your profile must contain a current resume for submission. See Required Documents section for what to include in your resume. INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. The USAJOBS Resume Builder was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is an available tool when you login to your USAJOBS account. Review the Appointment Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you selected. You must provide proof of your eligibility to be considered. You must submit a resume and also complete the online application and assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. The eligibility portion of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this announcement. You may choose more than one eligibility. You must provide proof of your eligibility and will only be considered for the questions that you answer "yes". Please note, your eligibility will be based solely on the selections you have indicated in this section. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim to be considered. You may choose more than one eligibility in this section. To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12937599 To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Welcome | Login.gov), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. FOLLOW UP. Check your application status before the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to ensure that a complete application (including a resume, on-line questionnaire, and applicable supplemental documentation) is received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 05/06/2026. NOTE: Technical problems may take at least 1 business day to resolve; therefore, you are highly encouraged to complete the application process prior to the closing date. In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-06