Position Description
August 24, 2024

PD_DOI_Director-of-the-Bureau-of-Land-Management

Position Description

Director of the bureau of land management, Department of the interior

Overview

Senate Committee

Energy and Natural Resources

Agency Mission

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and affiliated island communities.

Position Overview

The Director of the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the oversight and management of the bureau’s mission of multiple use and sustained yield while maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

Compensation

Level V $145,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5316)1 The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.

Position Reports to

Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior2 https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/orgchart

Responsibilities

Management Scope

In 2016, the Bureau of Land Management had a budget of $1.2 billion and about 10,000 full-time equivalents.3 https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/budget/appropriations/2016/highlights/upload/BH007.pdf
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/About_BLM.html

Primary Responsibilities

® Performs duties as the secretary may prescribe with respect to the management of lands and resources (43 U.S.C. § 1731)
® Has responsibility for the oversight and management of the bureau’s mission of multiple use and sustained yield (43 U.S.C. § 1732)
® Maintains critical relationships with other federal agencies, Congress, Native American authorities, state and local governments and private entities
® Manages public land resources for a variety of uses, such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation and timber harvesting, while protecting a wide array of natural, cultural and historical resources

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Broad background and substantial experience in public land and natural resource management (43 U.S.C. § 1731)

Competencies

® Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Past Appointees

Neil Kornze (2014 to 2017): Principal Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management; Senior Advisor, Bureau of Land Management; Senior Advisor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid4 https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/blm-dir
Robert Abbey (2009 to 2014): Partner, Abbey, Stubbs & Ford, LLCviii; Acting Director, Mineral Management Service; Nevada State Director, Bureau of Land Managementi5 http://abbeystubbsfordllc.com/robert-bob-abbey.htm
James Caswell (2007 to 2009): Director, Idaho State Office of Species Conservation; various positions, Bureau of Land Management; Forest Supervisor, U.S. Forest Service6 http://centerwest.org/archives/8588
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