Realty Specialist

Bureau of Reclamation • Billings, MT

1d

About The Position

Reclamation is seeking a career professional to work as a Realty Specialist, contributing to efforts to meet increasing water demands while protecting the environment. The role completes and reviews a broad range of realty transactions for legal correctness and compliance with Reclamation policies and procedures. Transactions include permits, licenses, leases, easements, inventory, trespass matters, acquisition, disposal, and exchanges of withdrawn or acquired Federal land. The specialist examines titles for defects that require resolution, maintains project land records, and prepares status reports for Regional Office personnel, easement coordinators, and tribes regarding land acquisitions and disposals. The role also negotiates with private landholders, tribal officials, and state and Federal agency officials to secure lands, rights-of-way, and interests for project purposes. Duties may be developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level.

The position is primarily office-based, with travel to meetings and county offices for records research and field activities, including inspections of land being acquired by the Federal Government. Travel is frequent in all seasons and may involve rural areas, extended driving, and walking over fields or rough terrain in harsh winter or hot summer weather. Promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed and depends on satisfactory performance, the availability of higher-grade work, and the supervisor's recommendation.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have a valid driver's license by entry on duty and maintain it throughout employment.
• Must not hold an active real estate license or have an interest in, or hold stocks in, firms with interests in Federal lands.
• Must submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel authority.
• Must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment requires written agency certification that it advances the public interest.
• For GS-7, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, one full year of related graduate education, qualifying Superior Academic Achievement with a directly related bachelor's degree, or an eligible combination of education and experience. Specialized experience must include at least three listed realty-related activities.
• For GS-9, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level related graduate education leading to such a degree, an LL.B. or J.D., or an eligible combination of education and experience. Specialized experience must include at least five listed realty-related activities.
• For GS-11, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, a related Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level related graduate education leading to a Ph.D., an LL.M. or equivalent doctoral degree, or an eligible combination of education and experience. Specialized experience must include all listed realty-related activities.
• Resume must state full-time or part-time status and hours worked per week for experience to receive appropriate credit; transcripts are required when using education to qualify.
• Submit transcripts that support claimed education; foreign education must be evaluated as at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education.
• All qualifications must be met by the announcement closing date, November 17, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Complete and review realty transactions for legal correctness and compliance with Reclamation policies and procedures, including permits, licenses, leases, easements, inventory, trespass, acquisition, disposal, and exchanges of Federal land.
• Examine titles and identify defects that need to be resolved or cleared.
• Maintain land records for projects within the Region.
• Prepare status reports to inform Regional Office personnel, easement coordinators, and tribes about land acquisition or disposal status affecting them.
• Negotiate with private landholders, tribal officials, and state and Federal agency officials to secure lands, rights-of-way, and interests for project purposes.
• Conduct field activities, including inspections of land being acquired by the Federal Government.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed