Animal Packer and Caretaker (Trails) (Seasonal)

About the role

The typical defined season is not to exceed 6 months between Apr-Oct but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May 2027. Open to the first 80 applicants or until 11/02/2026 whichever comes first.

What you will do

• Feeds and cares for 6 to 10 mules and 4 to 6 saddle horses.
• Feeds and wrangles stock in backcountry settings.
• Trains and corrects behavior problems in horses and mules.
• Administers medications to stock.
• Performs farrier duties including emergency field shoeing and trimming.
• Builds loads and packs food, tools, camp equipment, explosives, supplies and materials to trail crews.
• Transports livestock, supplies and materials via truck and trailer from source to trail heads; including transporting, loading and unloading of hay.
• Maintain tack, sheds and corral fence lines.
• Incumbent frequently drives on narrow winding mountain roads.
• Performs routine vehicle inspections on trucks and trailers, and does minor repairs.
• Physical Effort: Heavy physical effort is required in bending, lifting while using saddles and tack.
• Frequently lifts and loads pack boxes and other objects weighing 50 lbs.
• Occasionally, with assistance, lifts and loads pack boxes weighing from 60 lbs to over 100 lbs.
• Routinely rides up to 15 miles daily, and periodically 25 miles or more.
• Frequently works with horses and mules weighing over 1000 lbs. utilizing greater strength and agility to wrangles stronger and more active livestock.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: Moderate physical effort is needed by this position in operating, turning, backing, and controlling vehicles which carry heavy loads.
• Required to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Considerablel physical effort may be required to change tires and make limited emergency repairs, such as installing an emergency fan belt or replacing an electrical fuse on open highways.
• Working Conditions: Incumbent must have the ability to live and work effectively in mountainous wilderness areas in close contact with small numbers of people for extended periods of time.
• The incumbent will be working outdoors in extreme temperatures varying from +100 to near 110 degrees F.
• When working outside, worker is frequently exposed to bad weather.
• Incumbent works in rain, mud, snow, and in cold temperatures, Icy, slippery conditions are normal for approximately six months each year.
• The working environment is dusty, dirty, hot, wet, and under certain conditions noisy.
• There may be occasions during the seas that the incumbent will work in heavy rain, falling snow, and frigid conditions.
• The incumbent may be required to work long hours, hide or ride long distances in rough terrain, and work around hazardous conditions.
• Wrangling involves work with occasionally unpredictable and ill-natured animals resulting in exposure to the possibility of injury from bites, scratches, and kicks. the individual may be exposed to poisonous reptiles and plants.
• At time he/she may be required to make stream crossings in cold, swift water, either by horse or by foot.
• The individual must be able to withstand the rigors of life in remote, primitive conditions for periods of 2 to 12 weeks at a time.
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon national Parks, at times, have poor air quality and the presence of smoke during fires.
• The central valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains of California may pose human health problems due to air pollution.
• Work will be performed at ties when there is poor air quality due to fires or smog.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• To learn more, visit Home | E-Verify You will be required to obtain and maintain a valid National Park Service Explosives Handler certification upon completion of appointment training course.
• Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required.
• You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home.
• You may have to obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.

How you will be evaluated

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category.

Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position.

Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job.

Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of materials Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP).

To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Documents you must provide

• Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed.
• If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
• Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
• The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text.
• All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression.
• Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
• Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements.
• More information on how to write a Federal Resume: *** Complete All Required Assessment(s).
• Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable.
• Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
• If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
• You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from https: *** or call ***.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal.
• To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified.
• For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
• Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
• Do not submit photographs with your application package.
• Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents.
• Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.
• Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

What to expect next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position.

After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. You can find your path with the Department of Interior at *** Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement. Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately January 2027.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Visit DCPAS Wage and Salary to calculate locality pay. Temporary Appointment: This is a temporary seasonal appointment not to exceed 1039 hours. The appointment is expected to end upon completion of the season's work.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE 1039 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year.

Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment combined total of 1039 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1039 hours.

The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. *This position may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1560 hours rather than 1039 hours depending on the park and program* Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, ***

The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.