LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

BLM Rangers are the uniformed Federal law enforcement officers of the BLM responsible for enforcing a variety of laws and regulations related to the public lands and resources, and for ensuring the safety of BLM employees and public land users.  

The BLM is the place for those who love the outdoors.  After all, that’s where BLM Rangers spend most of their time.  If you’ve ever dreamed about having an office that encompasses a couple million acres of public lands, you just might like this job!

1. Where do Rangers Work?
2. What do Rangers do?
3. How do I become a Ranger?
4. Are there any special requirements?
5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
6. What benefits do Ranger earn?

1. Where do Rangers Work?

BLM Rangers are stationed primarily in the eleven western states including Alaska, and work in a variety of grassland, forest, high mountain, arctic tundra, and desert environments.  Rangers work on the fringes of some of the largest cities in the U.S., and we have a significant presence in Southern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada. 

2. What do Rangers do?

BLM Rangers are uniformed officers who provide a regular and recurring presence over vast areas of public lands.  They are responsible for conducting high visibility patrols; conducting public contacts; enforcing federal laws and regulations; assisting local county or city police departments, other federal and state land management agencies, and BLM Special Agents investigating illegal activity on public lands; and generally providing for the safety of BLM employees and public land users.

BLM Rangers regularly patrol public lands by four-wheel drive vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, aircraft, snowmobile, jet ski, boat, horse, and even the oldest patrol method—on foot.  The job of a Ranger varies considerably depending on location.  In the southwestern desert areas, Rangers spend a great deal of time dealing with large numbers of recreational users and off-highway vehicle issues, as well as a variety of resource theft and vandalism incidents; Rangers along the southern border may encounter illegal aliens and smuggling while their counterparts in Alaska travel long distances by aircraft and snow machine to patrol remote areas of public lands; and, Rangers in urban areas may encounter crimes related to alcohol, hazardous materials and other dumping, wildland fire and arson, and many other trespass concerns.

3. How do I become a Ranger?

To apply, look for BLM Law Enforcement Ranger jobs on the Office of personnel management’s USAJOBS website, contact your nearest BLM Office and ask to speak with a Law Enforcement Ranger, or visit BLM’s website.

Entry level trainee Law Enforcement Ranger positions start at the GL-5 level, with the majority of the positions being in the southern desert areas.  Previous law enforcement experience may qualify an applicant for entry at the GL-7 or GL-9 level.  The Law Enforcement Ranger series has a promotion potential up to GS-13.  

4. Are there any special requirements?

Applying for a career as a BLM Ranger is easy, although the qualifications for entry into the BLM Law Enforcement Program are quite rigorous.  You must be able to meet all of the following:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Pass an extensive background investigation, drug test, physical fitness test, and medical exam.
• Hold a valid state driver’s license and be capable of operating motor vehicles, or special purpose law enforcement vehicles of various types including four-wheel drives, all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and small watercraft. 
• Not have reached your 37th birthday at the time of your appointment or, if older than 37, have prior experience in a qualifying Federal law enforcement position.
• Be able to safely utilize firearms, non-lethal weapons, and control tactics in the conduct of your law enforcement duties.

If selected, you will be required to:

• Successfully complete the 18 week Land Management Police Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
• Successfully complete the BLM’s Field Training and Evaluation Program.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of BLM law enforcement in-service training annually.
• Meet recurring firearms and control tactics training and qualification standards.
• Complete periodic medical and physical fitness testing.
• Maintain a favorable background investigation.
• Maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority. 
• Wear the official BLM law enforcement uniform.

BLM Ranger positions are drug-testing designated positions and are subject to random testing.  Ranger work generally involves working nights, weekends, and holidays, and may involve extended shifts during unplanned or special events or operations. 

5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?

Applicants must successfully complete the 18-week Land Management Police Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).  Areas of instruction include Constitutional and criminal law, statutory authority, behavioral sciences, physical training and fitness, arrest and investigative techniques, defensive driving, and firearms.  Successful completion of all coursework is required for graduation.

Training doesn’t stop for Rangers after attending the Land Management Police Training Program.  Once you graduate, you’ll complete a Field Training and Evaluation Program where you’ll learn the job and gain experience in several duty locations across the western States.  This initial training is supplemented with annual and quarterly training in firearms, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and other job skills.  In addition, advanced training in a variety of program areas such as archaeological crime or wildland fire investigations is also available. 

Entry level Rangers have an excellent career path.  There are a variety of GS-11 Field Staff Ranger, Field Training Officer, and Senior Ranger positions throughout the West; and GS-12 and GS-13 Supervisory, District, and State Staff Ranger positions are also available.  Rangers showing an interest and aptitude for criminal investigations can also apply for BLM Special Agent positions.

6. What benefits do Rangers earn?

BLM Rangers enjoy all the benefits of Federal employment.  They are covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal law enforcement (“6c” retirement) and can receive retirement benefits with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service at age 50.  Retirement becomes mandatory at age 57.

Premium pay is earned when work is required for extended shifts, or shifts worked at night or during Sundays and holidays.  In most areas, Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) is available at up to 25 percent of a Ranger’s base pay.  In addition, those Rangers stationed in high-cost geographical areas will receive supplemental locality pay. 

A variety of reasonably priced group health insurance plans including long term care, and basic life insurance coverage with low-cost options for additional coverage are available.  Financial protection is provided, without cost, in the event of job-related injury or death.  Annual leave accrues at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment.  Prior Federal civilian or military service is creditable.  Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year and there are 10 paid Federal holidays per year.

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