Picture of a Land Law Examiner

Land Law Examining

GS-0965

Position Overview

Land Law Examiners adjudicate rights and privileges under the laws that govern the use and disposition of public lands and resources. They research and make decisions on applications and claims for land use, minerals leasing, and mining on public lands. Their careful work ensures that rights granted will be in compliance with laws and regulations.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is adept at analytical thinking, reading and interpreting legal documents, and communicating with others.  This detail-oriented person may have an interest in or exposure to legal education or experience.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Administrative and Management Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Collecting data related to land, oil and gas, mining or minerals cases
    • Determining the accuracy and proper execution of claims and qualifications of applicants for legal rights requested
    • Adjudicating routine lands, coal management, mining and mineral leasing applications
    • Drafting basic adjudication decisions
    • Utilizing data systems to collect, enter, manipulate, update and maintain data

  • Mid:

    • Reviewing and processing a full range of lands and minerals cases
    • Reviewing and making determinations on applications for rights-of-way for oil and gas pipelines, transmission lines, and roads, trails and highways
    • Developing facts and evidence related to land patent applications
    • Reviewing private title documents and title insurance policies for processing acquisitions

  • Journey:

    • Advising on complex, unusual, or novel claims or applications for rights or interests in mineral leasing, mining, or public lands.
    • Training or reviewing work of other examiners
    • Issuing interpretations of land laws in unusual or complex situations
    • Developing or modifying changes in procedures or policies
    • Serving as an authority and technical expert in lands, mineral leasing, and/or mining law, adjudication functions and requirements
    • Making determinations on cases that set precedents, have significant economic impacts, reflect competing government interests, and/or affect several different geographic areas
    • Leading teams of other examiners in completing a large and complex land law case or developing additional guidance for legal case management.

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Strengths by Level

Entry 5-7
Mid 9
Journey 11-13
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • External Awareness
    Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Information Management
    Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9
    Journey 11-13

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

33.9%

Legal Instruments Examining

Career Information Coming Soon
12.9%

Contact Representative

Career Information Coming Soon
12.9%

Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant

See Position Details

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