Land Surveyor

Summary

This position is a Land Surveyor GS-1373-7/9/11/12 at the Bureau of Land Management in one of the following locations:

Lakewood, CO

Phoenix, AZ

Roseburg, OR

Salt Lake City, UT

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Duties

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Preparing draft Special Instructions for survey requests by the BLM, BIA, Indian Nations, FS, BOR, NPS and other Federal Agencies after research is complete and interpretations have been made of the information collected
• Provides technical assistance to other personnel in cadastral program, external and internal customers, and private Sector surveyors.
• Prepares, reviews, and conducts the preparation of, and training of others in, official plat and note production.
• Designs data collection projects and collets accurate geodetic data in order to verify accuracy and reliability of existing positions.
• Prepares professional legal reports documenting circumstances that support unusual survey decisions.
• Prepares Special Instructions for survey requests by accurately researching, documenting, collecting, and interpreting the administrative record.
• Performs field work as part of Cadastral Survey Crew.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section) AND the specialized experience for the grade level to which you are applying:

Minimum Qualifications GS-1373-7:

A. Experience: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: 1) Perform appropriate mathematical computations for traverse closures; 2) Utilize software and automation tools to compute geographic coordinates from various survey records; 3) Compile field survey data; 4) Work closely with higher graded professionals and technicians to conduct routine analysis; and 5) prepare routine legal descriptions, plats, and/or survey reports. -OR-

B. Education: Successful completion of at least One year of graduate-level education (18 semester hours) in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-

C. Combination of education and experience: A combination of qualifying education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. This experience is described in my resume/application, and I will submit copies of my college transcripts. To combine education and experience, first take education and divide total credits earned by total needed to graduate. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. -OR-

D. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a directly related field AND meet one of the following: (1) Class Standing: rank in the upper 3rd of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on the completed courses; OR (2) Grad-Point Average (GPA): earn a GPA of (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum -or- (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field, or the required courses completed during the final two years. Note: GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, for example, 2.95 = 3.0, 2.94 = 2.9; OR (3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society.

Minimum Qualifications GS-1373-9:

A. Experience: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: 1) Perform the necessary mathematical computations involved in traverse closure, azimuth determination, state plane coordinate transformation, section subdivision, route alignment, and location. 2) Prepare preliminary and final survey plats, drawings, reports, legal records, and title descriptions for review and approval. 3) Utilize software and automation tools to compute geographic coordinates from various survey records. -OR-

B. Education: Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-

C. Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first take A and B above. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.

Minimum Qualification GS-1373-11:

A. Experience: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: 1) Plan and conduct land surveys, prepare written survey documents or notes, and coordinate with interested parties or project managers. 2) Manage or lead cadastral survey or resurvey projects using a variety of survey equipment including total stations, data collectors, handheld calculators, and GPS receivers. 3) Conduct survey computation and adjustments to produce final geographic coordinates. 4) Research and analyze ancient and modern survey records. -OR-

B. Education: Successful completion of at least three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis that included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must include transcripts. -OR-

C. Combination of education and experience: To combine education and experience, first take A and B above. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.

Minimum Qualification GS-1373-12:

A. Experience: See education section for GS-12 Minimum qualifications requirements.

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.

Education

The 1373 job series has a mandatory education requirement.

Individual Occupational Requirement 1373 series:

A. Degree : land surveying; or civil engineering with a surveying option/emphasis. The civil engineering major must have included at least 6 semester hours of surveying, 3 semester hours of land law, and 21 additional semester hours in any combination of the following: surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic surveying, geodesy, route surveying, remote sensing, cartography, survey astronomy, land information systems, computer-aided mapping, aerial photo interpretation, and survey analysis and adjustments. You must submit transcripts. -OR-

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in land surveying or civil engineering as described in paragraph A, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -OR-.

C: License: Must have a current registration as a land surveyor in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia obtained by written examination. Registration must have been obtained under conditions outlined in the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE) Unified Model Law for Registration of Surveyors. (You must show evidence of registration based on successful completion of the written examinations.)

(Continued from qualifications section) Minimum Qualification GS-1373-12:

A. Experience: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (see education section), you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience may include: (1) Interpreting survey records; (2) Recovering and measuring physical survey evidence; (3) Completing survey computations; (4) Operating, adjusting, or maintaining survey equipment and instruments, such as global positioning systems or total stations; and (5) Planning and conducting surveying projects. (6) Training lower graded surveyors in principles and the execution of surveys (7) Performing survey work in accordance with The Manual of Surveying Instructions and the Public Land Survey System. Your resume must include hours per week worked.

B. Education: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. A continued service agreement may be required if it is determined you are eligible for a permanent change in duty station (PCS), recruitment, or relocation incentive.

Related Non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630).

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.

The duties of this position are not suitable for telework.

Duty Station Information:

Lakewood, CO Salary Range:

GS-7: $56,262 - $73,142

GS-9: $68,819 - $89,470

GS-11: $83,265 - $108,251

GS-12: $99,800 - $129,742

Phoenix, AZ Salary Range:

GS-7: $52,783 - $68,620

GS-9: $64,564 - $83,938

GS-11: $78,117 - $101,558

GS-12: $93,629 - $121,720

Roseburg, OR and Salt Lake City, UT Salary Range:

GS-7: $50,460 - $65,599

GS-9: $61,722 - $80,243

GS-11: $74,678 - $97,087

GS-12: $89,508 - $116,362

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.