Legal Compliance Graduate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Compliance Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Qualifications:

Requirements Continued...
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience such as: Assisting with the review and interpretation/application of laws, regulations, and policies related to land, water, or resource management, including acreage limitation and water delivery eligibility programs; examples include determining eligibility and assessing compliance with the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks; Coordinating with stakeholders (such as landowners, water districts, tribal governments, or regulatory agencies) to clarify requirements, resolve routine compliance issues, and support program implementation under established guidance; Providing support in the preparation and submission of compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: Successful completion of a Masters or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience such as: Independently reviewing and interpreting laws, regulations, and policies related to acreage limitation and land or water resource management, such as the Reclamation Reform Act, and providing authoritative guidance to resolve complex or controversial compliance issues; Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques in implementing policy and program requirements, such as determining eligibility, assessing compliance, calculating fees or rates, and preparing, presenting, and submitting compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or similar regulatory frameworks; Leading or assisting with the development of adaptation of program guidance and procedures to address changing legal, administrative, or operational conditions, including recommending improvements and implementing new processes; Coordinating and engaging with stakeholders (such as landowners, water districts, tribal governments, or regulatory agencies) to resolve compliance issues, present findings, and support program implementation at a higher level of complexity and independence; Prepare and submit compliance-related forms and reports required under the Reclamation Reform Act or comparable regulatory frameworks. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

• Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

• Combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 36 semester hours, and divide by 36 semester hours or equivalent. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include hours per week and transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education:

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER