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Land Surveyor job opening at Bureau Of Reclamation

Land Surveyor Job

Bureau Of Reclamation

Key Skills:Topographic Mapping & Field SurveyingGeodetic Control & GPS SurveyingRight-of-Way & Property Boundary DeterminationComputer-Aided Mapping & GIS IntegrationTechnical Legal Description WritingContract & Project ManagementInterpersonal Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration

Exciting Career Opportunity: Land Surveyor in Boise, Idaho

Are you an experienced surveying professional looking to apply your technical knowledge to vital public works projects across the Pacific Northwest? The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation has announced an open recruitment for a Land Surveyor position based in Boise, Idaho. This position offers a competitive salary range of $74,678 to $116,362 per year (GS-11 to GS-12 grade levels) along with federal benefits, professional growth, and the opportunity to safeguard natural resources.

Whether you are a seasoned Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) or an ambitious technical specialist with extensive field and geodetic control experience, this guide details everything you need to know about the role, qualifications, salary structure, and application requirements.

About the Agency: Bureau of Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States. Operating under the Department of the Interior, Reclamation manages, develops, and protects water and water-related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner.

Joining the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Regional Office in Boise places you at the heart of critical water management initiatives in the American West. The regional team resolves complex engineering and land ownership challenges, balancing public infrastructure demands with environmental stewardship.

Key Job Responsibilities

As a Land Surveyor with the Bureau of Reclamation, you will combine high-level theoretical knowledge of surveying, mathematics, and physical sciences with practical expertise in real property laws. Core duties include:

  • Topographic & Geodetic Mapping: Planning and coordinating field mapping across varied, rugged, and complex terrain.
  • Project Leadership: Serving as project manager for complex field surveying operations, right-of-way determination, and site topography projects.
  • Technical Advice & Contracting: Providing regional expert consultation on survey activities, including setting standards and reviewing contracted field surveys.
  • Legal Description & Boundary Analysis: Formulating proposed legal descriptions and mapping products required for land acquisitions and boundary verification.
  • Regional Coordination: Facilitating smooth communication and workflow integration between field offices, regional leaders, external stakeholders, and practical land ownership authorities.

Fieldwork under rugged terrain conditions is balanced by sedentary office work involving computer-aided mapping, research, and analysis.

Mandatory Qualifications & Educational Requirements

Applicants can qualify for the Land Surveyor position based on formal education, practical experience, or professional licensing.

Basic Mandatory Education Requirements

To meet the basic requirement for the 1373 Land Surveying occupational series, you must fulfill one of the following:

  1. Degree in Land Surveying or Civil Engineering with a surveying option/emphasis. Civil Engineering majors must include at least 6 semester hours in surveying, 3 semester hours in land law, and 21 additional hours in related subjects (e.g., photogrammetry, geodesy, cartography, remote sensing, survey astronomy, or aerial photo interpretation).
  2. Combination of Education & Experience: Coursework equivalent to a major in land surveying or civil engineering combined with documented professional experience.
  3. Professional Registration: A valid registration as a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) obtained via written examination under conditions matching the NCEE Unified Model Law.

Grade Level Experience & Licensing Comparison

To be selected at a specific grade level, candidates must meet clear specialized experience criteria:

Grade Level Base Annual Salary Key Experience Requirements Professional License Requirement
GS-11 $74,678 - $97,079 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 (assisting/participating in site topography, geodetic control, right-of-way, and legal descriptions). Preferred, but not mandatory.
GS-12 $89,508 - $116,362 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 (leading/conducting surveying operations, right-of-way processes, and legal documentation). Mandatory PLS License issued by a state board or U.S. territory.

Salary Overview & Grade Advancement

The position is offered under the federal General Schedule (GS) pay table, ranging from GS-11 to GS-12:

  • GS-11 Minimum Starting Salary: $74,678 per year
  • GS-12 Maximum Full Performance Salary: $116,362 per year

Promotion to the full performance level (GS-12) is based on demonstrated job mastery, operational requirements, and supervisor endorsement. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Federal Benefits & Perks

As a federal employee with the Bureau of Reclamation, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefit package:

  • Health & Life Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage options through FEHB, plus dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
  • Federal Retirement Pension: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) combined with Social Security.
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Federal 401(k) equivalent with generous agency matching contributions up to 5%.
  • Work-Life Balance: Telework options upon supervisory approval, 11 paid national holidays, accrued annual leave, and dedicated sick leave.

Application Steps & Essential Tips

Applying for a federal position requires strict adherence to technical submission rules. Follow these essential steps:

  1. Prepare Your Resume Carefully: Your resume must not exceed 2 single-sided pages. Resumes exceeding two pages will be automatically rejected. Text font must be at least 10-point, with 0.5-inch margins.
  2. Detail Your Work Hours: Specify full-time status or exact weekly hours worked for every job entry. Failure to list hours will prevent HR from properly crediting your specialized experience.
  3. Attach Educational Transcripts: Submit legible copies of official or unofficial transcripts demonstrating your surveying/engineering coursework or degree conferral.
  4. Submit Licensing Proof: If applying for GS-12, attach a valid copy of your Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) registration card or certificate.
  5. Complete USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your initial application through USAJOBS, monitor your email for a unique assessment link. You must complete the online USA Hire skills evaluation before the specified deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-U.S. citizens apply?

A: No. Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or Nationals to be eligible for appointment.

Q: What happens if my resume is 3 pages long?

A: Only the document designated as 'Resume' will be reviewed, and if it exceeds 2 pages, your application will be deemed ineligible. Ensure all vital information fits within the two-page constraint.

Q: Is field travel required for this position?

A: Yes. The position involves both sedentary office analysis and rigorous physical field mapping across varied, rugged outdoor landscapes.

Q: When does the job announcement close?

A: Applications must be fully submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 10, 2026.

The Land Surveyor role in Boise, Idaho, represents an outstanding opportunity for dedicated surveying professionals seeking career progression, strong compensation, and meaningful public land service. Ensure your application documents strictly comply with the two-page resume rule and submission deadlines to maximize your chance of success. Take the next step in your professional journey with the Bureau of Reclamation today!

Why This Land Surveyor Job Matters

Shape the infrastructure of the American West! The Bureau of Reclamation is hiring a Land Surveyor in Boise, Idaho, offering high-impact work, federal stability, and competitive compensation up to $116,362 per year.

Land Surveyor Job Overview

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation is seeking a skilled Land Surveyor to join the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Regional Office team in Boise, Idaho. In this vital role, you will lead complex topographic mapping projects, establish geodetic controls, handle right-of-way acquisitions, and provide technical guidance across the region to help manage and protect critical water resources. Positioned at the GS-11 to GS-12 grade level, this career opportunity combines outdoor field leadership with professional consulting responsibilities.

Requirements for Land Surveyor

  • Must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation and E-Verify employment verification check.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
  • Selective Service registration required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
  • Current Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) registration required for the GS-12 level.
  • Resume must strictly not exceed two single-sided pages.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a government travel and purchase credit card.
  • Completion of online USA Hire Competency Assessments.

Preferred Qualifications for Land Surveyor

  • Active Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license from any U.S. State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.
  • Proven experience directing complex field mapping, boundary surveying, and geodetic control projects.
  • Extensive background in legal descriptions, right-of-way acquisition plans, and boundary dispute resolution.
  • Bachelor's degree in Land Surveying or Civil Engineering with a heavy concentration in surveying and land law.

Federal Benefits & Perks

  • ✓Competitive salary under the Federal General Schedule (GS) pay system.
  • ✓Comprehensive health coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
  • ✓Retirement annuity through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and matching contributions via the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
  • ✓Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
  • ✓Flexible work schedule options and telework eligibility upon supervisor approval.
  • ✓Potential recruitment or relocation incentives for qualified selectees.

💡 How to Apply Land Surveyor Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Land Surveyor Job

  1. Read the full job announcement carefully and verify eligibility requirements.
  2. Prepare a focused resume that adheres strictly to the two-page limit, using at least 10-point font and 0.5-inch margins.
  3. Gather all required supporting documentation, including transcripts, PLS license proof, recent performance evaluations, and applicable SF-50 or military discharge forms.
  4. Click the 'Apply Online' link to access USAJOBS, log into your account, answer the online application questionnaire, and attach your documents.
  5. Submit your complete application package before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 10, 2026.
  6. Check your email and USAJOBS dashboard for instructions to complete the required USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments within the designated window.

💡 General Tips

  • Strictly honor the two-page resume cap; any additional pages or disguised resume additions will result in automatic disqualification.
  • Clearly indicate hours worked per week for every position listed on your resume to ensure proper crediting of your specialized experience.
  • Ensure official or unofficial college transcripts clearly show course names, credit hours, grades, and degree conferral date.
  • If applying for the GS-12 grade level, verify that your PLS license documentation is clear, legible, and attached to your application package.
  • Set aside up to 3 quiet, uninterrupted hours to complete the USA Hire online assessments promptly after submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license required for this position?

A valid PLS license issued by any state or U.S. territory is mandatory for placement at the GS-12 full performance level. For the GS-11 level, appropriate education and specialized surveying experience may qualify you without a license.

What is the maximum page length allowed for the resume?

Your resume must not exceed 2 single-sided pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected automatically without review.

Is telework permitted for this role?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework with supervisory approval, though field work and office tasks in Boise, Idaho, are integral to the role.

Are relocation expenses covered?

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered on a case-by-case basis depending on agency determination, though it is not guaranteed.

External Resources