Home / Federal careers / GS-0455
Range Technician
Federal position performing technical rangeland management work including range surveys, vegetation monitoring, grazing management, and conservation support for BLM and Forest Service.
What GS-0455 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0455, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0455:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Seasonal experience is creditable, defined as a minimum of 3 months continuous employment on a seasonal basis. Shorter periods may combine to reach 3 months total. One season qualifies for GS-2; two seasons for GS-3; and four seasons for GS-4.
Qualifying experience includes:
- Work in the conservation, regulation, and use of public or Federally controlled lands for grazing
- Range research activities
- Livestock ranch operation or management comparable to public range
- Range or forest fire control, prevention, or suppression work
Education and Training:
- GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included at least 6 semester hours in a combination of courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, or related fields
- GS-4: Two years of study with minimum 12 semester hours in relevant fields (forestry, range management, conservation, etc.). Maximum 3 semester hours in mathematics credited.
- GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or directly related field. Alternatively, at least 24 semester hours in applicable courses. Maximum 6 semester hours in mathematics credited.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months (or 1 season) | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months (or 2 seasons) | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 6 months (or 4 seasons) | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
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-0455
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
Geospatial Engineer
Geospatial Engineers are skilled in land surveys and data analysis, directly supporting range management tasks.
Skills that carry over: Data Collection, Field Skills, Equipment Operation.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Conduct range surveys and assessments
- Monitor vegetation and wildlife
- Collect field data
- Support grazing management
- Assist with conservation projects
- Prepare technical reports
Key competencies
Range Knowledge
Understanding of rangeland ecosystems.
Field Skills
Ability to conduct range surveys and inventories.
Data Collection
Skill in gathering and recording range data.
Equipment Operation
Proficiency with range monitoring tools.
Physical Ability
Capability to work in remote outdoor conditions.
Communication
Ability to work with ranchers and landowners.
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-0455
What is a Range Technician?
GS-0455 Range Technicians perform technical rangeland work: conducting range surveys, monitoring vegetation and wildlife, collecting field data, supporting grazing management, and assisting conservation projects. They work outdoors on BLM and Forest Service lands throughout the western U.S.
How much does a federal Range Technician make?
GS-0455 positions range from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865). Most positions are GS-5 to GS-7 ($34,454-$55,486). Lead technicians reach GS-8/9. Seasonal positions are common. Remote duty stations may qualify for additional allowances.
What are the requirements for GS-0455 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized range experience—field surveys, vegetation monitoring, or grazing management. Physical ability to work in remote outdoor conditions is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0455?
Yes. Military experience working outdoors, conducting surveys, collecting field data, or natural resource work qualifies. Environmental compliance, land management support, or agriculture/ranch backgrounds translate well. Your ability to work independently in challenging field conditions is valued.
What is the career progression for Range Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-7/8/9. Many use this as a stepping stone to Rangeland Management Specialist (GS-0454) at higher grades. Cross-training in wildland fire adds seasonal opportunities. Permanent positions often follow successful seasonal work.
How do I apply for GS-0455 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Range Technician' or 'Rangeland Technician.' Most positions are with BLM and Forest Service in western states. Many are seasonal (spring through fall). Emphasize your outdoor skills, physical fitness, and any range or agriculture experience. Veterans preference applies.
Ready to apply for GS-0455?
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.