Animal Packer

Forest Service • Bishop, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within a National Forest. The Animal Packer assists with the complete care of horses and mules, including training, feeding, shoeing, and first aid. The incumbent works as part of a crew packing animals for trail crews and their equipment, construction materials, fire crews, and other resource crews. The position also supports ranch and pasture management and transports stock, supplies, hay, gear, and equipment using trailers and trucks. The position is temporary and may be filled for up to six months or, as a not-to-exceed appointment, up to one year. An extension may be possible without further competition; the appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds. The position is not eligible for telework.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must pass satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Application and resume must clearly demonstrate qualifying experience; transcripts must be provided when qualifications are based on education.
• No substitution of education is allowed for this position.
• Must demonstrate the ability to do the work without more than normal supervision.
• Must demonstrate technical practices, including theoretical, precise, and artistic practices.
• Must demonstrate use of measuring instruments.
• Must be able to interpret instructions and specifications, including blueprints.
• Must be able to use and maintain tools and equipment.
• Must have knowledge of materials.
• Must demonstrate dexterity and safety.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.

Responsibilities

• Pack horses or mules with trail-crew equipment, including food, tents, tools, and other supplies.
• Assist with packing construction materials such as poles, cables, lumber, sand, gravel, and bridge materials.
• Provide pack support for fire crews, carrying items such as food, water, saws, fuel, hoses, and portable pumps.
• Pack supplies and equipment for resource crews, including netting, plant presses, screens, and fragile survey equipment.
• Select appropriate pack equipment for loads under supervision.
• Build and pack loads and strings of animals, including balanced loads using pack bags, slings, boxes, manty loads with sling ropes, and pack racks.
• Tie appropriate hitches, including box, diamond, and sling hitches.
• Fit riding and pack saddles to horses and mules.
• Respond safely to medical conditions and emergency situations involving animals and people.
• Provide animal first aid, including administering shots and treating wounds.
• Assist with the safe use of restraints for doctoring, shoeing, training, or containment.
• Recognize the shoeing needs of horses and mules working in a mountain environment.
• Assist with ranch and pasture management, including designing, building, maintaining, and inspecting stock facilities for safety.
• Maintain board, pipe, wire, and electric fences.
• Flood-irrigate native pastures and monitor forage use in annual grassland pastures.
• Operate ranch equipment, including a tractor with an auger for making post holes.
• Tow gooseneck and bumper-pull stock trailers to haul stock on rugged mountain roads.
• Transport gear, equipment, supplies, and hay on flatbed trucks and trailers.
• Haul tractors and equipment for other functions.

Benefits

• Federal employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• Government housing and federal day care facilities may be available depending on location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed