Wild Horse and Burro Specialist

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified: 1) An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver’s license while employed in this position. 2) An applicant appointed to this position may be required to travel by horseback and helicopter in the performance of duties. 3) An applicant appointed to this position must be able to use firearms for the purpose of humane euthanasia of wild horse and burros according to policy and regulations and is subject to obtaining and maintaining certification to use firearms in performing official duties in accordance with established procedures. The incumbent is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment, as a condition of employment. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements – please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. In addition to the basic requirement, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level comparable in difficulty and complexity to perform the duties of a Wild Horse and Burro Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience includes: conducting animal welfare inspections for a wild horse and burro program such as conditions of animals or their habitats, gathering/removal activities or the adoption/sale of animals; researching, developing or implementing laws, regulations, standards or guidance for the management of a wild horse and burro or other similar program; coordinating with various researchers or other partners on fertility control measures within wild horse and burro populations, genetics analysis, behavior studies or other aspects relating to population trends and/or population growth suppression; planning or coordinating the gather and removal of wild horse and burros from gather sites to off-range holding facilities; and coordinating with veterinarians and/or brand inspectors regarding the maintenance or care of wild horse and burros or other such animals. Please note there are no educational substitutions at this grade level. 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 meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. 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. Physical Demands: The work is a combination of office and field work. Incumbent must be in reasonably good physical condition with stamina required for occasional arduous physical exercise under a wide variety of environmental conditions. Field work may involve strenuous walking, riding horseback and climbing over rough and mountainous terrain. Off highway travel as well as air travel will be required. Duties of the position require emotional and mental stability and composure to deal with controversial and emotion charged situation. Work involves heavy lifting, bending, climbing, and riding of horses. Work will include working wild animals weighing up to 1500 pounds, lifting hay bales and metal panels up to 100 pounds, construction of various materials and use of ropes and lariats. Work Environment: Office work is performed in a lighted and ventilated room. Field work is carried out in a variety of outdoor locations (e.g., holding facilities, off-range corrals and pastures, arenas, stockyards, fairgrounds, and other outdoor venues across public lands). Field assignments involve widely varying topographic and climatic conditions. Temperatures may range from -with considerable precipitation from rain, freezing rain, or snow fall. Ability to work in challenging outdoor conditions and conduct strenuous physical tasks related to caring for WH&Bs. The working conditions or environment of WHBs inherently includes hazards and dangers while riding, pursuing, roping, corralling, counting, loading, handling, and caring for animals where conditions cannot always be controlled. Hazards and dangers consist of being kicked, scratched, bitten, falling or possibly being run over.
Explore a new career with the BLM – where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about Salt Lake City and the surrounding area can be found here. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.