Range Technician (Field Unit Hiring Authority)

Bureau of Land Management • Meeker, CO

6d

About The Position

The Range Technician supports Bureau of Land Management natural resource programs by performing technical rangeland management work in rangeland environments. At the GS-09 full-performance level, the position develops allotment management plans and/or watershed plans in accordance with land use plans; ensures permits and leases comply with requirements; monitors allotments; and assists with grazing management prescriptions and range improvements. The technician also assists with identifying and documenting plant species, maintaining range improvements, collecting field data, entering information into computer applications, and preparing basic reports and maps. The role includes conducting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations and supporting workload tracking and the Integrated Weed Management program. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full-performance level.

The announcement covers GS-05 through GS-09. The stated annual salary ranges are $40,736–$52,957 at GS-05, $45,409–$59,031 at GS-06, $50,460–$65,599 at GS-07, $55,882–$72,644 at GS-08, and $61,722–$80,243 at GS-09; pay varies by grade, and first-time federal hires normally start at step 1. Eligibility under this announcement is limited to applicants residing within 75 miles of the applicable duty station, with proof of residence required. A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly selected employee. Promotion to the full-performance level is not guaranteed.

The position involves frequent fieldwork, including walking, riding, stooping, bending, and lifting. Field conditions may include extreme heat or cold, rough terrain, insects, snakes, and other hazards. Employment requires U.S. citizenship or national status, a valid driver's license maintained throughout employment, a favorable background investigation, and a one-year probationary period. Other stated conditions include Selective Service registration where applicable, direct deposit, E-Verify, and restrictions on real-estate licenses and interests in firms with interests in federal lands. Federal employees and their spouses and minor children are also subject to restrictions on acquiring or retaining certain rights in federal lands.

A federal benefits package is available; specific eligibility depends on the type of position. The job announcement does not specify a work schedule or workplace type.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in direct deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must not hold an active real estate license or have an interest in or hold stocks in firms with interests in Federal Lands.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must meet the grade-specific qualifications and applicable time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date, November 9, 2026.
• Applicants must reside within the defined 75-mile local commuting area for the applicable duty station and provide proof of residence.
• Experience claimed for qualification must identify full-time or part-time status and hours worked per week; education-based qualification requires transcripts.
• GS-05/GS-06: One year of qualifying specialized experience involving report information collection and documentation, record maintenance, use of GIS to create field-work maps, and assistance monitoring agreements and permits; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 involving crew leadership for rangeland projects, monitoring vegetation utilization, planning and conducting range-use supervision and allotment inspections, and documenting grazing administration files; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-08: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 involving automated applications and data systems; rangeland tests and inspections; range improvement work; support for rangeland programs and projects; range capacity studies; planning rangeland support work; implementation of projects and program goals; and IWM workload tracking. Alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08 involving computer applications and data systems; effective oral and written communication; rangeland tests, inspections, and support work; range capacity studies; planning and implementing rangeland management projects; IWM workload tracking; and initiating and conducting NEPA evaluations. Alternatively, a qualifying master's/equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees.
• A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly selected employee appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level