Home / Federal careers / GS-0454
Rangeland Management
Performs professional rangeland management work including conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of rangelands.
What GS-0454 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0454, as written.
Degree: range management; or a related discipline that included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of the plant, animal, and soil sciences, and natural resources management, as follows:
Range Management -- At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as basic principles of range management, range plants, range ecology, range inventories and studies, range improvements, and ranch or rangeland planning.
Directly Related Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences -- At least 15 semester hours of directly related courses in the plant, animal, and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these three scientific areas, i.e., plant, animal, and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, animal nutrition, livestock production, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable.
Related Resource Management Studies -- At least 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects, including courses in such areas as wildlife management, watershed management, natural resource or agricultural economics, forestry, agronomy, forages, and outdoor recreation management.
OR
Combination of education and experience: at least 42 semester hours of course work in the combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences and natural resources management shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0454
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Engineering Aid
Engineering Aids with experience in surveying and environmental assessments can transition to rangeland management roles.
Skills that carry over: Surveying, Environmental Assessment, Project Planning.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Pest Management
GS-0454 Rangeland Management suits veterans from the vegetation, grounds, and noxious-weed side of the AFSC; heavily used by BLM and USDA.
Skills that carry over: Vegetation control, Land management, Herbicide application, Field surveys.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Develop rangeland management plans
- Monitor rangeland conditions
- Coordinate grazing programs
- Restore degraded rangelands
- Assess environmental impacts
- Work with stakeholders
Key competencies
Range Science
Knowledge of rangeland ecosystems and management.
Planning
Ability to develop range management plans.
Vegetation Management
Understanding of range plant communities.
Grazing Management
Skill in managing livestock grazing programs.
Resource Assessment
Ability to evaluate rangeland conditions.
Stakeholder Relations
Skill in working with ranchers and agencies.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0454
What is a Rangeland Management Specialist?
GS-0454 Rangeland Management Specialists manage federal rangelands for conservation and sustainable use. They develop grazing plans, monitor range conditions, restore degraded lands, work with ranchers, and balance livestock grazing with wildlife habitat. They work primarily for BLM and Forest Service in the western U.S.
How much does a federal Rangeland Management Specialist make?
GS-0454 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for senior specialists and supervisors. Most journeyman positions are GS-9 to GS-11 ($52,205-$82,108). District managers and program leads reach GS-12/13. Remote locations may qualify for additional pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0454 positions?
A degree in range management, range science, or related natural resource field is typical. Coursework in range ecology, plant science, and livestock management helps qualify. Experience developing range management plans, monitoring vegetation, and working with stakeholders is essential for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0454?
Partially. While a degree helps, military experience in natural resources, environmental compliance, or land management provides relevant background. Veterans with agriculture, forestry, or environmental degrees who served in related roles are well-positioned. Western ranching backgrounds are valuable.
What is the career progression for Rangeland Management Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, and senior specialists at GS-12. Supervisory and district manager positions reach GS-12/13. BLM and Forest Service offer the most positions, primarily in western states. Cross-training in wildland fire or recreation management expands opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-0454 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Rangeland Management Specialist' or 'Range Conservationist.' Most positions are with BLM and Forest Service in AZ, NM, NV, UT, CO, WY, MT, and ID. Emphasize your range science knowledge and stakeholder relations skills. Veterans preference applies and is valued in land management agencies.
Ready to apply for GS-0454?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.