Careers with the Bureau of Land Management

BLM OCCUPATIONS

Click a link to jump to the following occupation descriptions:
Archeologist
Botanist
Budget Analyst
Cartographer
Civil Engineer
Computer Specialist
Contract Specialist
Electronics Technician
Firefighter (Range Technician)
Firefighter (Forestry Technician)
Fisheries Biologist
Forester
Geologist

Human Resources Specialist
Hydrologist
Landscape Architect
Land Surveyor
Park Ranger (Recreation or Visitor Use Specialist)
Petroleum Engineer
Rangeland Management Specialist
Ranger (Law Enforcement Ranger)
Realty Specialist
Recreation Specialist
Telecommunications Specialist
Visual Information Specialist
Wildlife Biologist

Archeologist
Archeology is the scientific study of past human activities; as an archeologist, you will study the physical remains of life and past cultures / communities. Your work may include research, physical investigations, laboratory analysis, library research, interpretation or consultation work, preparing reports for publication, curating and exhibiting collections, or developing and implementing programs and projects that carry out this work. You will need knowledge of professional archeological principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques.

Botanist
As a botanist, you will be involved in research or other professional and scientific work in the field of botany, including plant taxonomy, morphology, ecology and ethno-botany. You will need full professional education and training in the plant sciences and a fundamental knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques, procedures and relationships of the science of botany. You will also need to be able to apply this knowledge to investigating, analyzing and solving botanical problems.

Budget Analyst
As a budget analyst, you will perform, advise on or supervise work in one of the numerous phases or systems of budget administration that are used in the Federal government. You will need to be knowledgeable and skilled in applying budgeting federal laws, regulations, policies, precedents, methods and techniques.

Cartographer
As a cartographer you will need to have professional knowledge and skills in mapping and related sciences along with relevant mathematics and statistics as part of your day-to-day duties. You will plan, design, research, develop, construct, evaluate and modify mapping systems, products and technology.

Civil Engineer
As a civil engineer, you will need to be able to apply a general knowledge of the physical sciences and mathematics that include engineering. In addition you will need specialized knowledge of (a) mechanics of solids, particularly of soils, (b) hydraulics, (c) theory of structure, (d) strength of materials, (e) engineering geology, and (f) surveying. You will be responsible for (1) planning, designing, constructing or maintaining structures and facilities that provide shelter, support transportation systems and control natural resources; (2) investigating, measuring, surveying and mapping the earth's physical features and phenomena; and (3) research and development activities relating to the above.

Computer Specialist
As a computer specialist, you will be responsible for analyzing, managing, supervising or performing work needed to plan, design, develop, acquire, document, test, implement, integrate, maintain or modify computer systems that are used for solving problems or completing processes. You will need to know about information processing methodology, technology, computer capabilities and processing techniques.

Contract Specialist
As a contract specialist, you will manage, supervise, perform or develop policies and procedures for professional work involved in procuring supplies, services, construction or research and development. You will use formal advertising or negotiation procedures, evaluate contract price proposals and administer, terminate and close out contracts. You will need to know about legislation, regulations and methods used in contracting, as well as business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors and requirements characteristics.

Electronics Technician
As an electronics technician, you will need to know about techniques and theories of electronics, e.g., basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra and elementary physics. You will also need to be able to apply that knowledge to engineering functions such as design, development, evaluation, testing, installation and maintenance of electronic equipment and be aware of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design characteristics and functional use of electronic equipment and systems.

Firefighter (Range Technician)
As a range technician, you will need a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of range conservation and related resource management fields. You will provide practical technical support in range research efforts in the marketing of the range resource and in the scientific management, protection and development of grasslands and other range resources.

Firefighter (Forestry Technician)
As a forestry technician you will need a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of forestry as well as other biologically based resource management fields. You will provide practical technical support in forestry research efforts in marketing forest resources and in the scientific management, protection and development of forest resources.

Fisheries Biologist
As a fisheries biologist you will need professional knowledge and competence in the science of fishery biology so that you can (a) develop, conserve, manage and administer fishery resources and (b) evaluate the impact of construction projects and other socioeconomic activities that could harm fishery resources and their habitat. You will also need to be able to determine, establish and apply biological facts, principles, methods, techniques and procedures needed to manage aquatic resources in their natural habitats.

Forester
As a forester you will need professional knowledge and competence in forestry science. Your work will include developing, producing, conserving and using natural resources of forests and associated lands. You will inventory, plan for, evaluate and manage timber, soil, land, eater, wildlife and fish habitat, minerals, forage and outdoor recreation, including wilderness, in relationship with each other to meet present and future public and local private needs and demands. You will be involved in the protection of resources against fire, insects, disease, floods, erosion and other depredations; the valuation, management and protection of forest lands and properties; the interpretation and communication of principles, facts and legislation upon which the management of forest land rests; and the development of new, improved or more economic scientific methods, practices or techniques necessary to perform this work.

Geologist
As a geologist, you will apply knowledge of the principles and theories of geology and related sciences in collecting, measuring, analyzing and interpreting geologic information on the structure, composition and history of the earth. This includes doing basic research to establish fundamental principles and hypotheses and developing a fuller knowledge and understanding of geology as well as applying these principles and knowledges to a variety of scientific, engineering and economic problems.

Human Resources Specialist
As a human resources specialist you will either (a) direct or assist in directing a personnel management program; (b) advise on, supervise, perform or provide staff leadership and technical guidance for work involving two or more specialized personnel functions; or (c) perform specialized personnel management work.

Hydrologist
As a hydrologist you will do professional work in hydrology, the science concerned with studying water in the hydrologic cycle. Your day-to-day work will include basic and applied research on water and water resources; the collection, measurement, analysis and interpretation of information on water resources; forecasting water supply and water flows; and developing new, improved, or more economical methods, techniques and instruments.

Landscape Architect
As a landscape architect, you will help plan and design landscape construction and maintenance projects to meet important human needs. Specifically, you will analyze land characteristics, operational requirements, land-use intensities and commensurate land values, correlating ground and water forms, plant forms, structures, roads and walks to serve esthetic, functional, economic and other interrelated purposes. You will need professional landscape architectural planning and design ability along with knowledge of the allied physical planning fields of architecture and civil engineering and the biological sciences of agronomy, plant ecology, horticulture and botany as they affect land development.

Land Surveyor
As a land surveyor, you will apply technical knowledge of surveying methods, equipment and techniques to measure or determine distances, elevations, areas, angles, land boundaries and other features of the earth's surface. You will complete topographic, hydrologic, geodetic, land, control and construction surveying.

Park Ranger (Recreation or Visitor Use Specialist)
As a recreation or visitor use specialist, you will be involved in the development and presentation of recreational and interpretive programs for the visiting public, dissemination of general, historical, or scientific information; presenting folk art or craft demonstrations, participating in search and rescue activity, and providing emergency medical aid. You may conduct patrols of wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, campgrounds, and recreation facilities to monitor compliance with regulations and permits, and to perform light maintenance activities. You may also help control traffic and visitor use of facilities.

Petroleum Engineer
As a petroleum engineer you will be concerned with the exploration and development of oil and natural gas fields; the production, transportation and storage of petroleum, natural gas and helium; the investigation, evaluation and conservation of these resources; and the regulation of transportation and sale of natural gas. You will be involved in the valuation of production and distribution facilities for tax, regulatory and other purposes as well as research on criteria, principles, methods and equipment.

Rangeland Management Specialist
As a rangeland management specialist you will be involved in the preserving, developing and managing rangelands. This includes analyzing and protecting natural resources, developing programs and standards for rangeland use and conservation and advising state officials and private Indian landowners in rangeland management practices.

Ranger (Law Enforcement Ranger)
As a law enforcement Ranger you will be responsible for protecting resources and public safety across the nation's 264 million acres of BLM managed public lands. Law enforcement rangers perform a wide variety of tasks including protecting cultural and historical sites such as petroglyphs from vandalism, locating and eradicating drug manufacturing laboratories and marijuana cultivation sites, preventing theft and damage of timber, rare cactus, minerals, and other valuable publicly-owned resources, and patrolling high-use areas to promote safe and enjoyable camping and off-highway vehicle recreation. Rangers conduct patrols by 4 wheel drive vehicles, all terrain vehicles, boat, horse, and foot over large areas of public lands, some as large as 1.8 million acres. Rangers investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, and make arrests. They also provide medical aid and assist with search and rescue. Rangers must understand and convey conservation management and multiple use principles to a wide variety of people including resource groups, ranchers, miners, corporations, farmers, foresters, outfitters, recreationists of all types, and the general public. Rangers are required to pass an intensive pre-employment background check, drug test, and medical examination, and are required to pass a physical fitness test on an annual basis. Once selected, Rangers are required to successfully complete a 12 week law enforcement training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Realty Specialist
As a realty specialist, you will be involved in one or more of the following functions: (1) acquiring real property; (2) managing real property i.e. (a) administering Federally-owned, Indian-owned, leased or consigned space or property, or (b) preparing for disposal; or (3) disposing of real property. You will need to know about real estate laws, principles, practices and markets.

Recreation Specialist
As a recreation specialist, you will need general knowledge of the goals, principles, methods and techniques of the broad field of recreation. You will evaluate recreation needs and will plan, organize, advise on and administer recreational activities and programs that promote the physical, creative and social development of those who recreate on public lands.

Telecommunications Specialist
As a telecommunications specialist, you will be involved in technical and analytical work for planning, developing, acquiring, testing, integrating, installing, utilizing or modifying telecommunications systems, facilities, services and procedures. You may also be involved with managerial and staff work in the planning, implementation or program management of telecommunications programs, systems and services. Additionally, you might be involved in line supervision over communications operations (planning, recommending changes and determining organizational structure, staffing, training and budgetary requirements).

Visual Information Specialist
As a visual information specialist, you will be involved in communicating information through visual means. This includes the design and display of visual materials such as photographs, illustrations, diagrams, graphs, models, slides and charts that are used in books, magazines, pamphlets, exhibits, live or video-recorded speeches or lectures and other media. You will need to know and be able to apply the principles of visual design; have a knowledge of the technical characteristics associated with various methods of visual display; and the ability to present subject matter information in a visual form that will convey the integrated message to, or have the desired effect on, the target audience.

Wildlife Biologist
As a wildlife biologist, you will help in the conservation, propagation, management, protection and administration of wildlife species. You will determine, establish and apply biological facts, principles, methods, techniques and procedures needed to conserve and manage wildlife resources and habitats. You will need professional knowledge of the distribution, habits, life histories and classification of birds, mammals and other forms of wildlife.

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