Legal Instruments Examiner

Job Description

Legal Instruments Examiner | Bureau of Land Management

The Tone:
This is a full-time, career ladder role at the Bureau of Land Management, located in-person. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing federal lands and ensuring that activities comply with established laws and regulations. This position is vital for accurately processing and adjudicating oil and gas applications, safeguarding natural resources, and upholding the public interest. The work directly contributes to transparent and legally sound operations on federal lands.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person

• Mission: Ensure regulatory compliance and accurate documentation for oil and gas activities on federal lands.
• Tech Stack: AFMSS, LR2000, MLRS

What You’ll Actually Do
• Review Applications: Process and adjudicate oil and gas applications, including APDs, Sundry Notices, bonding actions, and Plugging and Abandonment documents.
• Apply Regulations: Conduct research and apply laws, regulations, and policies to evaluate complex factual information and make informed determinations.
• Manage Bonding: Perform responsibilities related to bonding and bond review, ensuring adequate coverage, recommending adjustments, and updating bond records.
• Maintain Data Systems: Utilize agency data systems to collect, enter, and maintain program information, such as AFMSS, LR2000, or similar databases.
• Prepare Documentation: Draft written determinations, correspondence, and case documentation, while ensuring the maintenance of complete and accurate case files.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-level professional, either possessing at least one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-04 level, or having successfully completed a full four-year course of study above the high school level from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Progressive experience across GS-05, GS-06, and GS-07 levels, including:
* GS-05: Reviewing basic application completeness, verifying factual information against established laws, and performing data entry in automated systems.
* GS-06: Assisting with the examination and processing of oil and gas applications, conducting basic research, preparing routine correspondence, and maintaining program data and case files.
* GS-07: Independently examining and processing complex oil and gas applications, conducting research and analysis to apply laws and regulations, preparing procedural and compliance determinations, and performing comprehensive bonding and bond review duties.
• Skills: Legal instrument review and processing; regulatory research and analysis; data entry and database management; professional correspondence and determination writing; case file organization and maintenance.
• Bonus: U.S. Citizenship; valid state driver’s license (or obtain within 30 days); no active real estate license or financial interest in firms dealing with Federal Lands; commitment to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.