FUL - Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Bureau of Land Management • Fallon, NV

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Horse Wrangler serves in the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program at a holding facility. The position is responsible for the well-being and welfare of wild horses and burros, including their care, feeding, safe handling, preparation for adoption, veterinary treatment, and facility maintenance. The work includes interacting with the public and adopters and is subject to the requirements of the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP).

The incumbent receives and unloads horses and burros from trucks and trailers into corral systems, separates them by gender, and handles them safely during unloading. The position also transports horses and burros using trailers up to 36 feet long and trucks or other motor vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 26,000 pounds. Vehicles may be operated within facilities, on highways and interstates, off-road, and over rough terrain in all weather conditions. The incumbent selects routes and alternatives, loads and arranges animals according to BLM guidelines, and performs basic troubleshooting and maintenance as needed.

The work also includes riding saddle horses to control horses and burros on the open range, in corrals, and in pens; handling animals that resist entering traps or corrals; and roping animals when circumstances require. Other vehicle assignments include hauling hay, manure, dirt, gravel, water, supplies, materials, and equipment. The work involves strenuous physical exertion and exposure to animal, driving, weather, and terrain hazards.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to operate without more than normal supervision in relevant work, including preparing wild horses and burros for transportation to adoption sites, long-term facilities, and other designated locations; providing guidance on animal handling, care, and feeding; and operating trucks to haul hay, water, and other related materials.
• Skill and ability to ride horseback and rope wild horses and burros or other closely related stock.
• Ability to operate trucks and trailers, including trailers up to 36 feet long and vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 26,000 pounds.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication, employment verification, and pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Must maintain required firearm qualification and certification and ongoing proficiency.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must reside within 75 miles of the applicable duty location when applying and provide proof of residency.
• Must be able to meet strenuous physical demands, including handling, riding, roping, maneuvering, and restraining horses and burros; lifting hay bales over 100 pounds; carrying materials and equipment; and performing related physical tasks.
• Must be able to work around animal hazards and drive for long hours in facilities, on highways, off-road, and over rough terrain in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Receive wild horses and burros from trucks and trailers into corral systems and separate them by gender.
• Handle horses and burros safely in trucks, corrals, and chutes during unloading.
• Operate trailers up to 36 feet long and transport horses and burros according to BLM guidelines, selecting routes and alternatives to support safe transportation.
• Operate trucks and other motor vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 26,000 pounds to haul hay, manure, dirt, gravel, water, supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Ride and handle saddle horses to control wild horses and burros on the open range, in corrals, and in pen areas.
• Control horses and burros unwilling to enter traps or corral systems and rope them from horseback when necessary.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance on vehicles and equipment, and seek assistance for major maintenance needs.
• Support the care, feeding, safe handling, preparation for adoption, veterinary treatment, and welfare of wild horses and burros.
• Interact with the public and adopters.
• Maintain facilities and comply with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program requirements.

Benefits

• A recruitment incentive may be authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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