So the other day a BLM position popped up on the usajobs.gov for the Boise area.?ÿ I didn't think I had a very good shot of winning it but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try.?ÿ So I read through the description and it looked like it was open to everyone.?ÿ I say this because I've looked at BLM listings in the past and I've noticed sometimes they're only open to people already employed by the Fed, veteran preference, etc.?ÿ Anyway, I saw no signs of that in this recent listing so I submitted the paperwork.
A week or so went by and then I received a vague e-mail telling me I had about 24 hours to submit additional/missing paperwork.?ÿ Some of the paperwork appeared to be the forms one fills out if already employed by the Fed (confusing, but OK... maybe I misread something?).?ÿ It also mentioned an official college transcript.?ÿ I submitted an unofficial one in the initial paperwork because, again, from what I remember the listing didn't specify an official one.?ÿ Anyway, I think it takes a 2-3 days to process a transcript request so basically it looked like I was given an impossible deadline.?ÿ Needless to say I didn't bother submitting anything.
While waiting for a response I got to talking with another local surveyor who happened to apply for this job and we come to find out we both got the same e-mail.?ÿ So I wasn't imagining things.?ÿ Another week or so went by and then we both got a rejection e-mail saying we didn't submit the additional documentation.?ÿ I just kind of laughed because the process seemed so sloppy and poorly executed that I'm a little surprised they're able to get anyone hired.
That got me curious about some things though.?ÿ Has anyone applied for a BLM job before??ÿ Is it always a confusing mess like that??ÿ And is there generally heavy competition for these things??ÿ I've yet to meet a single surveyor (in person) who was angling for a federal job so I'm not even sure how desirable these positions are.
Probably a case where they had to advertise but there was someone who was going to get the job no matter what.?ÿ Pretty standard process.
In the USAjobs recruitment under the "who can apply" portion it should be clear if the position is open to the public, or for existing employees only.?ÿ The recruitment number will have a DEU prefix if it is open to all and MP (Merit Promotion) prefix for federal employees only.?ÿ Many if not most of the time there are two recruitments issued at the same time, a federal employee can apply for both, the non-federal person only the DEU recruitment.?ÿ ?ÿHaving official transcripts are required, so if you are thinking of applying for future federal jobs you should order those and have them at hand.?ÿ There are three ways to qualify for a 1373 Cadastral Land Surveyor, one is with a ABET 4 year degree in Surveying or other 4 year degree with a list of required surveying classes that must be taken and passed; second is if you have a State PLS license in a state that complies with the the NCEEE's model law for registration (which basically requires the 4 year degree requirement); and third a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to either the other two methods.?ÿ ?ÿSo if you have an LS from a non-NCEEEs model law state and a two-year degree, that is a common way to qualify for the third method, and the transcripts are required.?ÿ ?ÿOr if you have not completed a degree program and are using the third method.?ÿ ?ÿIt is somewhat complicated, and can be very confusing.?ÿ ?ÿRead the recruitment announcements carefully, there is no trickery, its just a very structured process.?ÿ
As a hint, in the recruitment notices there is a HR specialist listed that is available to give you guidance prior to the announcement closing and your application is finalized.?ÿ Don't guess about your application if it is right or complete, contact the HR specialist!?ÿ That's why it is listed.?ÿ Typically, they would rather of answered your questions than have to send the rejection notices to you.
There are general requirements stated elsewhere on USAJobs that requires applicants to submit official transcripts. It does not have to say so in the actual job listing, although the hiring authority should state that if they want more qualified applicants. If they want fewer qualified applicants to choose from, they can be as confusing as the law allows them to be.
side question that is kind of related. Every federal job i run across states that a state-licensed surveyor must be so in a model-law fashion. But i know of a couple guys that have gotten these jobs and i know they aren't model-law. what gives?
@jon-collins, it is a bit complicated.
Typically those without a NCEEES model law Land Surveying License apply through qualification "B.", which is a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to a NCEEES model Law Surveying License, or a an ABET 4 year Bachelors degree in Geomatics (Surveying) which are the other two options.?ÿ Key here is to have a base degree, which typically is a 2 year Associates degree in Geomatics AND a State Land Surveyor's license.?ÿ In reviewing qualifications, the State Land Surveyors license is unquestionable proof of additional experience that supplements the basic education requirement.?ÿ There are grey areas, if an applicant has no degree but some coursework and an non-NCEEES Land Surveying degree it has to be closely scrutinized.?ÿ ?ÿThe issue is that the screening of applications is done by a HR specialist who many times has no idea what this all means.?ÿ At our State Office when I was Cadastral Chief, I set up a process that each Cadastral Survey selection had myself or an assigned Surveyor assist the HR specialist in reviewing this requirement, and I had compiled a list of what States, in what years, had adapted the NCEEES model law requirements (4 year degree) which then could be applied to the applicant's registration date and state.?ÿ That said, there certainly could be applicants that were accepted only because the HR applicant saw a Land Surveyor's license documented in the application, and not knowing enough to ask or understand the differences in an NCEEES model license or not.?ÿ ?ÿ
Here is the OPM classification information for the GS 1373 Cadastral Surveyor positions:
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