Seasonal Animal Packer (Trails)

Seasonal Animal Packer (Trails)

Department: Department of the Interior

Location(s): Marblemount, Washington

Salary Range: $27.68 - $32.28 Per Hour

Job Summary: North 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 scott_swenson@nps.gov or 360-854-7280.

Major Duties:

• The 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.

Qualifications: Ability 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=WG-5000 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. 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. ICTAP/CTAP: 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 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).

How to Apply: To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/26/2025.You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account. Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application." Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application" To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12832781 Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS. Select documents you want included in this application. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed. Select if you want to include your demographic information. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site." Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown. Upload any missing required documents or optional documents. Review and Submit Application. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement. To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job. Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-26