Summary This position is a Legal Instruments Examiner, GS- 0963-7/8, with U.S. Fish and Wildlife working in one of the following locations. The full performance level of the position is GS-9. Bloomington, Minnesota - Division of Realty Fergus Falls, Minnesota - Fergus Falls Wetlands Acquisition Office This position is also open to the public under announcement R3-25-12593580-AMS-DE. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. Responsibilities A total of two (2) vacancies will be filled and physically located in Bloomington, MN or Fergus Falls, MN and salary will be based upon duty station and locality pay once selected. The salary above reflects the Rest of U.S. (RUS) pay scale. Locality tables may be found at: 2024 General Schedule (GS) Pay Tables. Additional questions regarding placement should be reserved for the interview process. As a Legal Instruments Examiner your duties will include but are not limited to the following: Review appropriate documents for the transfer of real property interests and perform review of legal instruments and related documents (e.g., easement agreements, purchase options, exhibits, land exchange agreements, mortgage subordinations, affidavits, solicitor's opinions, waivers, pre-acquisition contaminant reports) required for the acquisition of interests in land for assigned projects. With assistance from Realty Specialists, participate in various realty transactions associated with the acquisition of interests in land and exchange of land. Assist in the procurement and review of abstracts of title, title certificates, or other forms of title evidence. Examine title and makes recommendations on how to cure title problems or clear title. Review title defects and objections raised by the Solicitor's office, and recommend steps to correct title. PCS INFORMATION: Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale. Telework: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 11/15/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position, you must possess the Minimum Qualification at the grade level(s) for which you would like to be considered. Minimum Qualification [GS-7] To qualify for the GS-7, you must have one (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: interpreting legal descriptions, aerial photos, plat tract maps, and courthouse records to obtain a variety of data on real property sites; conducting record searches from a computer database; and accurately writing down information from one document or record to another. Minimum Qualification [GS-8] To qualify for the GS-8, you must have one (1) full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: reviewing title evidence such as title commitments, abstracts, title certificates, and recorded documents; analyzing title information and recognizing defects or issues regarding title; preparing documents to clear or resolve title defects; and advising whether legal documents meet regulatory or procedural requirements. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements Education Not Applicable. Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You MUST submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s). Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC and received a certificate of non-competitive eligibility. Completed most recent Corps service, for which a certificate of non-competitive eligibility was issued, within the last 2 years. Appointment must be effected within the 2 year period.