Realty Specialist

Do you ever wonder why telephone lines and power lines cross where they do, or why some lands are owned by private individuals and others by the public? If so, you might like to become a realty specialist. A BLM realty specialist helps to provide use of public land through rights-of-way, leases, easements and permits. Lands are also patented (ownership is transferred) through sales and exchanges. A realty specialist gathers information about many uses of the public lands, such as wildlife, range, recreation, minerals, etc., and evaluates how these uses would be affected by a proposed action such as granting a right-of-way or exchanging lands. As part of his or her job, a realty specialist may work with the public, members of Congress, commercial land users, and others on issues related to public land use or disposal, land ownership, access, property boundary surveys, and public land titles and records. A college degree is not required to become a realty specialist; however, college courses in business, real estate, English, and natural resources are recommended. High school courses in English, speech, math, and earth sciences are also helpful to anyone considering a career as a realty specialist.