Compliance Specialist

Summary

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Compliance Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

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Duties

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This position is located within the Reclamation Law Administration Division of the National Programs Office, serving on a team specializing in consistent Reclamation-wide administration of the Bureau of Reclamation's Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA) program. This position may be duty stationed in Billings, MT; Salt Lake City, UT; Boulder City, NV; Boise, ID; Sacramento, CA; or Denver, CO. Salary ranges are:

Billings, Montana: $61,722 - $97,087

Salt Lake City, Utah: $61,722 - $97,087

Boulder City, Nevada: $63,046 - $99,169

Boise, Idaho: $61,722 - $97,087

Sacramento, California: $68,419 - $107,620

Denver, Colorado: $68,819 - $108,251

Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

• Independently perform complex analyses, program management, and policy interpretation within assigned program area.
• Collaborate with the RRA Team to address program needs, policy interpretation, and strategy development to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Coordinate special projects, studies, or initiatives to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and organizational objectives.
• Conduct training sessions and informational meetings with stakeholders, advocating for program interests and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Provide definitive advice and technical guidance to management, staff, and external stakeholders on program requirements, best practices, and problem resolution.
• Review and interpret legislative, regulatory, and policy changes, assessing their impact on program operations and make recommendations for adaptions consistent with changing conditions.

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.
• Must have a current valid driver's license or obtain a valid driver's license within 90 days of entry-on-duty.
• This is a bargaining unit position represented by IFPTE Local 128.
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

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.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*

Qualifications

Requirements Continued...

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 at the GS-9 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: 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 is defined as demonstrated experience such as: Assisting with the review and interpretation/application of laws, regulations, and policies related to land, water, or resource management, including acreage limitation and water delivery eligibility programs; examples include determining eligibility and assessing compliance with the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks; Coordinating with stakeholders (such as landowners, water districts, tribal governments, or regulatory agencies) to clarify requirements, resolve routine compliance issues, and support program implementation under established guidance; Providing support in the preparation and submission of compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: Successful completion of a Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience . To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. 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 hours per week and transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience such as: Independently reviewing and interpreting laws, regulations, and policies related to acreage limitation and land or water resource management, such as the Reclamation Reform Act, and providing authoritative guidance to resolve complex or controversial compliance issues; Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques in implementing policy and program requirements, such as determining eligibility, assessing compliance, calculating fees or rates, and preparing, presenting, and submitting compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or similar regulatory frameworks; Leading or assisting with the development of adaptation of program guidance and procedures to address changing legal, administrative, or operational conditions, including recommending improvements and implementing new processes; Coordinating and engaging with stakeholders (such as landowners, water districts, tribal governments, or regulatory agencies) to resolve compliance issues, present findings, and support program implementation at a higher level of complexity and independence; Prepare and submit compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience . To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 36 semester hours or equivalent. 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 hours per week and transcripts.

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

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.

Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary, with periods of intense mental concentration. Position requires travel to various regional, field, and water district office sites, where walking and bending may be required, particularly in areas where terrain may be rough.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office setting, but requires travel to various regional, field, and district office sites. You will be required to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of duties and is completely responsible for its safe operation. Operation are in compliance with applicable laws, policies and regulations. You are responsible for maintaining a valid State's driver's license and notifying supervisor or expiration dates or revocation of licenses or changes in physical conditions that would affect operational competency. Responsible for reporting all accidents in accordance with Reclamation policy and regulations.

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,

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

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.