If you’re someone who wants to pursue a 

career in law enforcement in an outdoor 

setting, then the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) Ranger job may be for you. Rangers 

take pride in tackling some of the toughest 

and most unique challenges that Federal law 

enforcement has to offer. 

The BLM is the place for those who have a 

passion for conservation and protection of 

resources and love the outdoors. After all, 

that’s where BLM Rangers spend most of their 

time. If you’ve ever dreamed about having an 

office that encompasses several million acres of 

public lands, this job is for you.

For the few who can meet the 

challenge, there’s no better job.

Entry level trainee Ranger positions start at the 

GS-5 level, with full performance at GS-9. Previous 

law enforcement experience may qualify an 

applicant for entry at the GS-9 or even the GS-11 

level. Promotion potential exists up to the 

GS-13 grade level for Rangers. Those showing an 

interest and aptitude for criminal investigations can 

also apply for BLM Special Agent positions. BLM 

Rangers and Special Agents are primarily located 

in the eleven western States, with most entry level 

positions located in the southern desert areas. 

BLM Ranger positions are covered by special law 

enforcement retirement provisions. In addition, 

you’ll receive duty time for physical fitness training, 

a uniform allowance, and an excellent Federal 

Government benefits package, including life 

insurance, health insurance, retirement benefits, 

and a savings plan. 

Not everyone wants a career as physically and 

mentally challenging as the one offered by the 

BLM. However, if you’re looking for the kind of law 

enforcement opportunity that only the BLM can 

provide, we welcome your application. To apply, 

look for BLM Law Enforcement jobs on the Web at 

www.usajobs.gov, contact your nearest BLM 

Office and ask to speak with a Law Enforcement 

Ranger, or visit www.blm.gov.

The BLM is an equal opportunity employer.

BLM Law

Enforcement 

Protecting Public

Land Resources

b

b

BLM/WO/GI-07/017+1800
Training that puts your 

skills to the test.

Selectees must then successfully 

complete the 18-week Land 

Management Police Training 

Program at the Federal Law 

Enforcement Training Center 

(FLETC). Areas of instruction 

include constitutional and criminal 

law, statutory authority, behavioral 

sciences, defensive tactics and 

physical fitness, arrest and 

investigative techniques, defensive 

driving, and firearms. Successful 

completion of all coursework is 

required for graduation.

Training doesn’t stop for Rangers 

after attending the FLETC. You will 

then complete a Field Training and 

Evaluation Program, to learn the 

job in several duty locations across 

the western States. Annual and 

quarterly training is required for 

firearms, defensive tactics, physical 

fitness, and other job skills. 

Advanced training in a variety of 

program areas is available.

sand rails, aircraft, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, horses, 

and even the oldest patrol method—on foot. 

The job of a Ranger varies considerably depending on 

location. In the southwestern desert areas, Rangers 

spend a great deal of time dealing with large numbers 

of recreational users and off-highway vehicle issues, 

as well as a variety of resource theft and vandalism 

incidents. Rangers along the southern border may 

encounter illegal aliens and smuggling, while their 

counterparts in Alaska travel long distances by aircraft 

and snow machine to patrol remote areas of public 

lands. Rangers in urban interface areas may encounter 

crimes related to alcohol, hazardous materials and 

other dumping, wildland fire and arson, and many other 

trespass concerns. Rangers in the northern States are 

involved with wildland fire investigations, wild horse 

violations, and illegal commercial guides and outfitters. 

In all areas, Rangers work in cooperation with local 

Sheriff’s Offices, State agencies, and other Federal law 

enforcement agencies.

Do you have what it takes?

Applying for a career as a Ranger is easy, although the 

qualifications for entry into the BLM Law Enforcement 

Program are quite rigorous. You must be able to meet 

all of the following:

b Be a U.S. citizen

b Pass an extensive background investigation, drug 

test, physical fitness test, and 

medical exam

b Hold a valid driver’s license

b Not have reached your 37th birthday at the time 

of your appointment or, if older than 37, have 

 prior experience in a qualifying Federal law

 enforcement position

A big job that utilizes 

all your talents.

The BLM, part of the Department of the 

Interior, is the largest landowner in the 

United States. The BLM administers 

nearly 260 million surface and 500 

million subsurface acres of public lands. 

Approximately 250 Ranger and Special 

Agents enforce the laws on a wide variety 

of environments, from desert sand dunes 

to Alaskan tundra. Some of the resource 

enforcement issues include:

b Cultural and paleontological 

resource theft and

vandalism

b Mineral resource theft

b Hazardous materials

dumping

b Cultivation, manufacture,

and use of illicit drugs

b Alcohol-related offenses 

in a recreation setting

b Off-highway vehicle use

b Timber, native plant, and forest 

product theft

b Wilderness management 

b Wild Horse and Burro 

adoption 

and 

compliance

Rangers regularly patrol 

their areas by means of 

four-wheel drive 

vehicles, all-terrain 

vehicles, 

motorcycles,