Land Law Examining
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
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.
Strengths by Level
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Attention to DetailIs thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Customer ServiceWorks 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Decision MakingMakes 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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External AwarenessIdentifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Information ManagementIdentifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Interpersonal SkillsTreats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Legal, Government, and JurisprudenceKnowledge 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Oral CommunicationExpresses 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Problem SolvingIdentifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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ReasoningIdentifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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Technical CompetenceUses 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
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WritingRecognizes 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.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9Journey 11-13
Common Pathways
Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...
Legal Instruments Examining
Contact Representative
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant
- 0318 - Secretary
- 0343 - Management and Program Analysis
- 0344 - Mgmnt And Program Clerical And Assistance
- 0455 - Range Technician
- 0525 - Accounting Technician
- 0802 - Engineering Technician
- 0817 - Surveying Technical
- 0950 - Paralegal Specialist
- 1101 - General Business and Industry
- 1311 - Physical Science Technician
- 1373 - Land Surveying
- 1801 - General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance
Where We Are
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