Animal Packer (Seasonal)

National Park Service • Yosemite National Park, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This seasonal animal packer position supports backcountry work by packing and transporting supplies, materials, and equipment with horses and mules. The typical season lasts no more than six months between April and November, though its timing and duration may vary with weather, project needs, and funding. Entry on duty is anticipated in April–May 2027. The appointment is temporary and is expected to end when the season’s work is complete.

The role involves leading pack animals to remote work sites, moving trail crews and camps, transporting animals by truck and trailer, maintaining packing equipment, shoeing horses and mules, treating minor animal injuries and illnesses, and training young mules. Work is conducted outdoors in difficult terrain and variable weather, at elevations from 2,000 to 11,000 feet. The position requires substantial physical effort and safe handling of livestock. A uniform may be required, and a uniform allowance will be provided. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed; occupancy of government quarters may be required.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Meet the minimum age and education or other eligibility conditions: be at least 18 years old, or be at least 16 and meet one of the listed high-school, vocational-training, school-authority, or student-employment conditions.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the work without more than normal supervision, the screen-out factor.
• Demonstrate technical practices, use of measuring instruments, ability to interpret instructions and specifications, ability to use and maintain tools and equipment, knowledge of materials, dexterity, and safety.
• Meet at least two points on the screen-out element(s) and an average of at least two points on all job elements.
• Describe relevant experience and training in the application and document it in the resume.
• Lift, place, and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds while packing; load and lift freed bales weighing up to 130 pounds with assistance.
• Have coordination and endurance for extended horseback riding and be able to mount and dismount without assistance.
• Handle physical strain from controlling animals while shoeing and handling, and work around risks of kicks, bites, scratches, bruises, and rope burns.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions, extreme temperatures, and rocky, steep terrain with uneven footing.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, which may include protective clothing, eye and hearing protection, hard hats, gloves, steel-toe boots, and respirators.

Responsibilities

• Pack supplies, materials, and equipment onto pack mules or horses.
• Lead a string of up to six pack animals transporting supplies, materials, and equipment to backcountry work sites.
• Load and haul horses and mules by truck and trailer.
• Move trail crew camps and trail-opening work crews to new locations using pack mules.
• Make minor repairs to packing equipment and tack gear.
• Shoes saddle horses and pack mules in remote backcountry and front-country staging locations.
• Diagnose and treat minor horse and mule injuries and illnesses.
• Train young mules for packing.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package may be available, subject to position type and eligibility.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed