What are the responsibilities and job description for the Realty Specialist (Generalist) position at Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs?
Summary
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, South Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anadarko, Oklahoma; Anchorage, Alaska; Billings, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Vancouver, Washington.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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As Realty Specialist (Generalist), GS-1170, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to:
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, GS-1170).
GS-5: 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing (obtained in either the public or private sector).
OR
EDUCATION: Four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service, that includes work assisting higher-graded specialists with basic real estate tasks such as preparing simple documents, gathering land records, or verifying routine information; supporting processing of routine applications (e.g., patents, easements, permits) by collecting required forms or checking for completeness; conducting basic research on routine land or title issues and summarizing findings for review; use automated systems such as TAAMS to retrieve or enter data; participating in audits, inspections, or field visits by observing and recording information for senior staff; providing basic customer support by answering straightforward inquiries from landowners, lessees, or beneficiaries under supervision.
OR
EDUCATION: One (1) full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).
GS-9: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service in processing routine to moderately complex realty transactions (e.g., leases, rights-of-way, disposals) using intermediate knowledge of policies and regulations; analyzing standard land-into-trust requests or reviewing use of trust assets to ensure compatibility with policy needs, referring complex issues upward; conducting data analysis for lease compliance, ownership verification, or land use determinations; assisting in negotiation of terms and conditions in authorizing documents with willing participants; reviewing lease packages or other transaction documents for accuracy and completeness; using TAAMS and other automated systems to input, track, and retrieve realty information with increasing independence; assisting with on-site compliance inspections and preparing summary reports for supervisory review.
OR
EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to this position.
GS-11: I have at least one year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience must include managing trust and restricted property cases involving multiple owners, competing land uses, or significant coordination with tribes, landowners, or state/local entities; processing and analyzing moderately complex applications for land-into-trust, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements; recommending corrective actions for compliance deficiencies and participating in the development of solutions to land title or encumbrance problems; collaborating with supervisors on conveyance transactions requiring appraisals, NEPA, TSR, and other clearances to ensure procedural completion; conducting coordinated negotiations with landowners, tribal governments, or private entities on real estate matters; providing technical guidance to lower-graded staff and reviewing their work for accuracy; performing compliance monitoring and assisting with field investigations related to trespass, encroachments, or resource damage.
OR
EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: Graduate education must be related to the occupation and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) Class standing-applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average-applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.
Education
If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Aberdeen, South Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anadarko, Oklahoma; Anchorage, Alaska; Billings, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Vancouver, Washington. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
The full performance level of this position is GS-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.
The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, South Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anadarko, Oklahoma; Anchorage, Alaska; Billings, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Vancouver, Washington.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
As Realty Specialist (Generalist), GS-1170, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to:
- Process and manage realty contracts and conveyance transactions including leases, permits, easements, rights-of-way, patents, disposals, acquisitions, and restriction removals; ensure all required clearances (e.g., appraisals, NEPA, TSR) are secured.
- Consult with beneficiaries, lessees, co-owners, and other parties to explain processes, options, documentation, and requirements for trust real property actions; provide accurate and timely trust asset information.
- Research, analyze, and resolve complex or conflicting land and title issues, including ownership records, encumbrances, historical land use, and adjacent land use conflicts; provide findings and recommendations to BIA, tribes, landowners, and lower-graded staff.
- Conduct on-site inspections and field investigations involving possible trespass, encroachments, or natural resource damages to gather data for potential or identified claims.
- Monitor and document compliance with realty terms and conditions, including preventing trespass and misuse of trust assets; use automated systems such as TAAMS to track and record transactions.
- Coordinate with federal, state, local, and tribal governments as well as private parties to negotiate and complete real estate actions; provide expert guidance and ensure proper application of applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
- Provide mentoring or training for lower-graded specialists on realty processes, compliance, and trust responsibilities.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
- A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
- If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
- Selectee is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607.
- THE PAY FLEXIBILITIES OF A RECRUITMENT BONUS, RELOCATION BONUS OR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT MAY BE AUTHORIZED, PENDING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND MANAGEMENT APPROVAL.
- TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, GS-1170).
GS-5: 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing (obtained in either the public or private sector).
OR
EDUCATION: Four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service, that includes work assisting higher-graded specialists with basic real estate tasks such as preparing simple documents, gathering land records, or verifying routine information; supporting processing of routine applications (e.g., patents, easements, permits) by collecting required forms or checking for completeness; conducting basic research on routine land or title issues and summarizing findings for review; use automated systems such as TAAMS to retrieve or enter data; participating in audits, inspections, or field visits by observing and recording information for senior staff; providing basic customer support by answering straightforward inquiries from landowners, lessees, or beneficiaries under supervision.
OR
EDUCATION: One (1) full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).
GS-9: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service in processing routine to moderately complex realty transactions (e.g., leases, rights-of-way, disposals) using intermediate knowledge of policies and regulations; analyzing standard land-into-trust requests or reviewing use of trust assets to ensure compatibility with policy needs, referring complex issues upward; conducting data analysis for lease compliance, ownership verification, or land use determinations; assisting in negotiation of terms and conditions in authorizing documents with willing participants; reviewing lease packages or other transaction documents for accuracy and completeness; using TAAMS and other automated systems to input, track, and retrieve realty information with increasing independence; assisting with on-site compliance inspections and preparing summary reports for supervisory review.
OR
EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to this position.
GS-11: I have at least one year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). This experience must include managing trust and restricted property cases involving multiple owners, competing land uses, or significant coordination with tribes, landowners, or state/local entities; processing and analyzing moderately complex applications for land-into-trust, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements; recommending corrective actions for compliance deficiencies and participating in the development of solutions to land title or encumbrance problems; collaborating with supervisors on conveyance transactions requiring appraisals, NEPA, TSR, and other clearances to ensure procedural completion; conducting coordinated negotiations with landowners, tribal governments, or private entities on real estate matters; providing technical guidance to lower-graded staff and reviewing their work for accuracy; performing compliance monitoring and assisting with field investigations related to trespass, encroachments, or resource damage.
OR
EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: Graduate education must be related to the occupation and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) Class standing-applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or (2) Grade-Point Average-applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) Election to membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.
Education
If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Aberdeen, South Dakota; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anadarko, Oklahoma; Anchorage, Alaska; Billings, Montana; Gallup, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Muskogee, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Vancouver, Washington. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
The full performance level of this position is GS-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.
The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Salary : $40,736 - $109,777