State Chief Ranger

Summary

You will serve as the Utah State Chief Ranger for the Office of Law Enforcement and Security Region 3, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The State Chief Ranger is the top-ranking uniformed Federal law enforcement officer at the State level within the BLM Office of Law Enforcement and Security (OLES). Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for providing program direction, management and leadership to the BLM uniformed law enforcement component throughout the state. Serves as technical expert and authority on all aspects of the uniformed law enforcement program Develops and makes recommendations to management regarding policy and procedures. Works closely with senior management, LE, and resource specialists to design statewide staffing, and budgeting plans for the LE program. Serves as the statewide coordinator for the law enforcement Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP). Interacts on a continuing basis with officials from multiple Federal agencies, State Government, County Sheriffs, and Chiefs of Police. Enforces a variety of Federal laws and regulations related to public land and resources by performing investigations, apprehending suspects and violators, performing surveillance activities, and making enforcement contacts. Assigns, directs, and reviews the work; plans and provides for formal and informal training; evaluates work performance; interviews candidates. Recommends selections, promotions, awards, disciplinary action, separations; plans, schedules, and coordinates work operations; resolves work problems; and explains management policies and goals.

Qualifications

Requirements Continued... All Law Enforcement Rangers who are new to the BLM are required to complete the Introduction to Resource Protection Training Program within their first two years of assignment. All Law Enforcement Rangers will complete the Natural Resource Police Training (NRPT) at the FLETC, or an approved equivalent law enforcement training school, before they are delegated law enforcement authority. Successful completion of the BLM's Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) must occur within one year of receiving delegation of law enforcement authority. Failure to complete the FTEP will result in the loss of law enforcement delegation and/or termination of employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period -OR- 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary or trial 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 or trial 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 - 10/22/2026-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 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. 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. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years) a valid Type 1 BLM Law Enforcement Commission, or equivalent, by 10/22/2026. More information can be found in the 'Education' section of this job announcement. This is a covered secondary law enforcement position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S. C. 8336(c) (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). In addition to the qualifying experience and/or education described above, applicants for this position must possess experience gained by substantial service in a primary law enforcement position or equivalent. Must have a current, valid State Driver's License by 10/22/2026. -AND- Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level: Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: investigation and apprehension of those suspected of violating the criminal laws and regulations of the United States that relate to public land; leadership, oversight and coordination of implementation of the law enforcement function on public lands, including coordination with multiple agencies and management levels; planning and leading special operations; managing complex management areas such as recreation emphasis areas, administrative sites, wilderness areas and monuments; enforcing national policy and establishing local policies; assisting in recruitment and hiring of Rangers; working with senior management, lead officers in other law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Attorney's office and other officials in cooperating agencies. You must include hours per week worked. 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

Type 1 Law Enforcement Commission: Must currently possess or previously held (within the past three years), a FLETC issued Land Management Police Training, full Type I Law Enforcement Commission or equivalent; or be qualified to rec