Job Summary

A Land Law Examiner (Minerals) analyzes land records to determine ownership, rights, and legal document validity. These positions are with the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State office in Phoenix. Information about the location and surrounding area can be found at Phoenix, AZ. We expect to fill 2 vacancies total at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Job Description

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. All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 07/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For GS-07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 in the Federal service as a Land Law Examiner or directly related position. Specialized experience includes the examination of applications and claims for land or resources use; title searching; interpreting land records; work as a land appraiser; general practice of law that included involvement in legal transactions involving the acquisition, lease, or disposal of land - OR- One (1) full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or equivalent that included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours or course work related to the administration of land laws. Examples include course work in land surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising, land use planning, water rights, mining laws, or legal instrument review and interpretation - OR- 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate undergraduate/graduate education. Undergraduate/graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. For GS-09: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity. Specialized experience is defined as work in the automated system for case recordation, experience generating reports from multiple automated systems, reading and interpreting customer needs from various forms of correspondence, and interpreting and applying guidance, policy, and regulations as appropriate. -OR- Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a directly related field such as surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising or land use planning water rights, mining laws, or legal instrument review and interpretation. -OR- Two full years (36 semester hours) of graduate level education leading to a master`s degree or equivalent or LL.B or J.D., in a directly related field such as surveying, cartography, land use law, real estate law, land appraising or land use planning water rights, mining laws, or legal instrument review and interpretation. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. For GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9. Examples of specialized experience may include: Experience processing complex applications, claims or requests for a broad range of land or mineral leasing and mining laws. Independently research facts and evidence, locating precedents, and drafting letters, notices, and decisions. Provide guidance on complex or unusual claims or applications for rights of interest in mineral leasing, mining, or public lands. Recognize problems that may cause unfavorable public reactions. Interpret and apply numerous provisions of land law or mineral leasing and mining laws and implementing regulations. Coordinate land law cases with numerous parties or major interests (e.g., a large oil company) and relatively high property or economic values. Verify rights or privileges to acquire title to or use of lands or resources based on prior ownership and subsequent conveyances from third parties. -OR- a Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR- 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR related LL. M. OR A combination of qualifying experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify. 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. 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. 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. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, 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.