Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator)

About the role

You will serve as a Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator) with Bureau of Land Management.

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management at the following locations: Litchfield, California Ridgecrest, California Boise, Idaho Bruneau, Idaho Rock Springs, Wyoming WG-08: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

What you will do

• This position is located within the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro (WH&B) Program, focusing on operations at a WH&B holding facility.
• The incumbent is responsible for the well-being and welfare of WH&Bs, which includes their comprehensive care, feeding, safe handling, preparation for adoption, veterinary treatment, and facility maintenance.
• The work of the position involves interacting with the public and adopters.
• The job duties are subject to requirements of the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP).Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Receives WH&Bs from trucks and trailers into the corral system and separates them by gender.
• Ensures WH&Bs are handled safely in trucks, corrals, and chutes during the unloading process.
• Given the unpredictable and potentially hazardous nature of transporting WH&Bs for extended periods, the incumbent must adeptly handle WH&Bs to mitigate any risks of injury to the animals, themselves, and fellow workers.
• Operates up to 36-foot horse trailers (e.g., gooseneck and bumper pull) and other similar length trailers to haul WH&Bs.
• Loads, arranges, and transports WH&Bs according to BLM guidelines to ensure the safest and most comfortable transportation to reduce the incidents of injuries or deaths.
• Selects routes and identifies alternative routes.
• Trucks may be operated within facilities, over highways, interstates, off-road and in rough terrain in all weather conditions.
• Rides and handles saddle horses to safely control WH&Bs from horseback on the open range, in corrals and in pen areas for gathers or general care.
• Controls individual WH&Bs unwilling to enter traps or corral systems as well as ropes WH&Bs from horseback if the situation dictates.
• Operates various types of trucks or other motor vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to and ranging between 26,000 and 32,000 pounds to haul hay, manure, dirt, gravel, water or other supplies, materials, and equipment related to WH&Bs for specific assignments or regularly established schedules.
• Trucks may be operated within facilities, over highways, interstates, off-road, and in rough terrain in all weather conditions.
• As required, troubleshoots and performs basic maintenance and seeks assistance from others when major maintenance is needed.

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 ***
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required.
• You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Currently possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or will be able to obtain one within six months of employment.
• Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained.
• Skill and ability to ride horse back and rope Wild Horse & Burros or other closely related stock.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
• This probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Dexterity and Safety Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best-qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration or your score may be lowered. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.

Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.

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, experience and/or physical requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

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).
• Performance Appraisals and Awards: You must submit your most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor dated within the past 18 months.
• If unavailable, a written explanation is required (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).
• Performance awards dated within the past 5 years may also be submitted for due weight consideration.
• Eligibility Documentation: Current and former Federal employees must submit latest SF-50 (i.e. Promotion, Separation, Within Grade Increase (WGI)) showing tenure 1 or 2 in block 24, grade, and if applicable, an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade or promotion potential held.
• Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s.
• If your SF-50 showing highest permanent grade held has an effective date within the past year, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one year.
• Do not submit award SF-50s.
• Veterans Preference Documentation: Veterans eligible under VRA (GS-11 & below only), VEOA, 30% or more Disabled, or Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program must submit the most recent Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions (e.g. DD-214) as listed on the SF15.
• If you are a Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all documentation as listed on the SF15.
• You may request a copy of the VA letter from ***
• 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.
• Special Appointing Authorities: If you are applying under a special appointing authority (i.e. Schedule A, Peace Corps, Military Spouses, etc.), you must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
• If you fail to submit proof, you will not receive consideration.
• If you're eligible for an authority not listed, you are responsible for submitting documentation that's appropriate for that specific authority.
• Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including a copy of the agency notice, most recent performance rating, and most recent SF-50 showing your position, grade level, and duty location.
• For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
• Public Land Corps: You must provide a copy of your signed Certificate of Non-Competitive Eligibility and clearly state in your resume time served and duties performed on an appropriate conservation project.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA): you must submit ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH Competitive time-limited appointment (block 34, code 1); AND Documentation of satisfactory performance for each period of temporary employment claimed, such as, performance evaluations, memorandum of record, whereas the supervisor(s) documented an acceptable performance level for a specified rating/employment period.
• 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.
• Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents.

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.

Additional information

Incumbent is subject to BLM Manual 9260 and 4730 requirements as they pertain to the authorization, use, and storage of firearms. Incumbent will be responsible for humanely and safely euthanizing WH&Bs by use of firearm, if necessary. Incumbent will be required to qualify with firearms twice each year.

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. All 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, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.

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

Physical Demands: Work related to WH&Bs requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion to handle, ride (e.g., full gallop), rope, maneuver and restrain domesticated horses and WH&Bs up to 1,500 pounds.

Work involves physical exertion and agility while performing duties such as heavy lifting (i.e., hay bales weighing in excess of 100 pounds, unloading and carrying portable panels, steel fence posts, jute, other materials, and equipment), bending, walking, standing, operating of trucks, coupling, and uncoupling of trailers and working with other equipment (e.g., torches for welding).

Working Conditions: Working with WH&Bs inherently includes hazards and dangers while riding, chasing, roping, corralling, counting, loading, handling, and caring for them where conditions cannot always be controlled. Hazards and dangers consist of being kicked, scratched, bitten, falling, or being run over.

Driving vehicles and hauling WH&Bs requires safe operation for long hours on highways, in facilities, off road and in rough road terrain in all weather conditions. Work is outside in HMAs, corrals, and other areas in all conditions (i.e., dusty, rainy, snowy, humid) and temperatures (i.e., over 100 degrees F, below zero temperatures).

There are risks related to slippery, muddy, frozen, uneven, and rocky ground.