Summary 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. Responsibilities This position serves as a Wild Horse and Burro Specialist for the Utah State Office. Leads the Wild Horse and Burro (WHB) program for the State of Utah. Acts as a main contact between Utah, the BLM Headquarters Office and the National WHB Division on policy and procedural matters providing guidance on planning and direction for all WHB activities. Directs and assists the District and Field Offices to develop and maintain plans and records on the management of WHB such as information on herd and management areas. Keeps apprised of scientific studies and literature related to WHB genetics, behavior and other facets relating to population dynamics. Trains the Utah WHB program team members with workshops, on-the-job training, or other certification training sessions. Reviews and approves applications for adoptions or oversees subordinate staff in this task. Rents facilities to host WHB adoptions and coordinates schedules with local veterinarians and brand inspectors. Works with the development of budgetary elements related to the Utah WHB program. Identifies and coordinates compliance checks of WHBs adopted in compliance with BLM Comprehensive Animal Welfare program. Directs, assists and coordinates with the District and Field Offices WHB population surveys. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Education This position has a positive education requirement which requires that you have: A. Degree: Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. or a combination of education and experience---courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Information DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If 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 or Student Loan Repayment.