Seasonal Animal Packer (Trails)

SummaryNorth Cascades National Park: 2 Vacancies. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April to October but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May 2026. Salary Range: $27.68 - $32.28 per hour. For additional information regarding the open positions for this park, reach out to: Scott Swenson at [email protected] or 360-854-7280. DutiesHelpThe Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year.Dates of employment will vary depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide assistance to backcountry operation specifically, packing operations. Incumbent will assist the district Animal Packer in performing all aspects of his/her duties and responsibilities. Incumbent acquires the knowledge and skills of various phases of packing through on-the-job training and instruction by the district or other experienced Animal Packers.Under the Animal Packer's guidance, assembles and packages all types of cargo in neat, correct and compact arrangements and mantle in a tight package that can be handled, carefully balanced, loaded and hitched aboard horses and mules. Assists with the packing of a wide variety of cargo such as lumber, doors, bridge decking, culverts, cook stoves, food, refrigerators, furniture, steel pipe, boat motors, wheelbarrows, bed springs and frames, electronic equipment, prefabricated pit toilets, roofing, explosives, hay and any other type of supplies and materials.Helps lead loaded pack animals to remote backcountry locations. Maintain packing equipment in good repair such as ropes, halters, pack and riding saddles, cargo boxes, mantles, harnesses, leads, pigtails, slings, and cargo ropes. Splices and weaves new rope accessories, sews various leather materials, etc. needed in packing assignments. Physical Demands: Requires good physical stamina and strength in arms, back and legs to perform required tasks safely and efficiently. Involves walking, bending, riding horseback for long hours.Requires lifting, carrying and securing awkward loads onto the sides of animals at or above check height and the use of arms to hold packs in position while hitching ropes. Must be able to adjust these loads along the trail in steep, rocky or other poor footing situations. Incumbent is also required to bend, squat, twist, lift and load while preparing loads, lifting loads onto truck for transport, daily feeding, and showing. The incumbent routinely lifts, pushes, pulls and carries items weighing more than 50 lbs.Working Conditions: Works at high altitudes in all extremes of weather, from wind, rain, snow and extreme cold, to hot, dry, and dusty. At times is required to live in primitive backcountry locations for up to ten days. Supplies own food and provides for personal needs. Also works in barn and shop environments. There is danger of cuts, burns and hypothermia; danger of strained or wrenched muscles due to the movement of animals while hitching or loading, shoeing, etc.; danger from animals crushing, striking, or biting.RequirementsHelpConditions of employment• U.S. Citizenship required. • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. • Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required.You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit, and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.• Applicants 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.• Travel, transportation and relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility. QualificationsAbility to do the work of a Animal Packer (Trails) without more than normal supervision (Screen out). Work history demonstrates experience as an Animal Packer performing the following duties: provide for daily care of horses and mules by feeding and watering; groom and saddle horses and mules; clean barns, stalls and corrals; administer minor first aid to horses and mules; perform visual checks on horses and mules to determine general condition of health; load and unload horses and mules from trailers; drive truck with horse trailer on public roads.Additional information on the specific qualification requirements for this position are found in the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations. It is available for review on OPM's web site at:If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job.Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. VolunteerExperience: 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. ICTAP/CTAP: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the AgencyCareer Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the InteragencyCareer 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 on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001). EducationThere is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional informationGovernment housing MAY be available for this position. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.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. A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR 575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive. 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 less than 1040 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 less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 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 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM. Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.Expand Hide additional informationCandidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. Apply tot his job