Department of the Interior (employment, job transfer, school)

[Falcon879]

I am interested in working for the DOI, more specifically the Bureau of Land Management. Does anyone have experience with this department or know anyone that does?

[jazzlover]

Getting a job with any of the Federal land management agencies (BLM, Forest Service) is extremely difficult unless one has specific skill for which they have an opening right at that moment. Also, picking where one works can be difficult. I have a number of acquaintances and friends who work for the Forest Service and BLM. All have had to endure numerous job transfers, some to less than desirable locales, during their careers. One fellow I know has worked for the Forest Service for 25 years--he has lived in 5 states and had probably 10 different duty stations. He is hoping he can finish his 30 years where he is now, but there are no guarantees. If one wants to actually work in the field, law enforcement training is becoming a near-must. Sadly, field jobs with either agency frequently involve law enforcement as much as they do resource management.

[Newtgirl]

I'll second Jazzlover here. I'm a biologist by trade and have worked with both the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife.

Jobs with the Fed are one of three types: 1.) seasonal (usually 1039 [hours] positions, 6 months). These infer no benefits and after your 1039 hours (or however many), you're sent on your merry way. Rarely there are permanent seasonal jobs. 2.) term positions last 1-4 years. You don't get non-competitive status (for applying for other positions), and benefits are hit/miss. 3.) Full time employment is extremely hard to get, and once you're in, you're kind of at the mercy of the system, like Jazzlover pointed out. You can be transferred, moved laterally, and traded around like a baseball card.

I wouldn't deter anyone from trying to get a Federal job, but go in with no ties or expectations.

[jim9251]

Here's the feds job board. Good luck in your career.

USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site

[delta07]

I definitely agree with Jazzlover and Newtgirl here. Any federal job (permanent) can be tough to land, but if you don't mind working seasonally, you may have better luck. Most federal jobs now require a minimum of some type of college experience, and a permanent job almost always requires a 4 year degree. Law enforcement may be your best bet if you don't have either. It is possible, but be prepared for tough competition and working somewhere less than desirable to live for most people. The best advice I have it to get your application in by the first of the year for seasonal jobs. At one time I had a permanent career with the Forest Service, and we always started looking at applications at that time. The best candidates and jobs are filled early. Good luck!

[eofelis]

As a student (just a few years ago) I worked as a student intern at the local BLM office and I really liked the job. Unfortunately it ended when I graduated. A friend of mine, who was also an intern at the time, landed a Term (limited time) position upon graduation at another BLM office and had a long commute for a while.

She enrolled in grad school this year and moved to a SCEP (Student Career Employee Position) at yet another BLM office, she moved to that town. She will have a permanent job at the BLM when she graduates. I know several people who got into BLM jobs through a SCEP. I would have loved to get a SCEP but it didn't work out while I was a student.

[jmmcnally]

I am looking to do the same thing and have learned a lot from this message board. You will find that it is going to be difficult getting a job with the BLM without experience, but isn't impossible.

Also, are you in school?