Animal Packer Job

Vacancy No. IM-1540-IMNR-25-12605111-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $26.94 to $36.52 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/15/2024 Close Date 12/16/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Estes Park, COGrand Lake, COSaint Mary, MTWest Glacier, MT


Summary

These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can be vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May 2025.

For more park(s) information, select "Learn more about this agency" below:

Duties

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  • Assembles and packages all types of cargo in neat, correct and compact arrangements and manties in a tight package that can be handled, carefully balanced, and packed aboard horses and mules. Packs a wide variety of cargo such as tandem packing lumber (up to 16' lengths), doors, bridge decking, culverts, cook stoves, refrigerators, furniture, boat motors, wheel barrows, bed springs and frames, electronic equipment, prefabricated pit toilets, roofing, explosives, hay and any other type of supplies and materials.
  • Loads and hitches packed supplies and equipment onto pack animals, balances and adjusts side packs and insures that pack saddles and varied or modified packs are not rubbing or otherwise in a position to cause injury to the pack stock or the cargo.
  • Provides professional grade care and handling of stock which includes grooming, shoeing, feeding, watering and caring for the medical needs such as administering shots and medication.
  • Maintains and repairs packing equipment such as ropes, halters, pack and riding saddles, cargo boxes, mantas, harnesses, leads, pigtails, slings and cargo ropes. Splices and weaves new rope accessories, sews various leather materials, etc., needed in packing assignments.
  • Leads strings of 6 to 9 pack animals, plus a lead horse, over the best self-chosen routes in rugged mountainous terrain, over rain or snow melt, swollen creeks and rivers, across snow pack areas up and down series of switchbacks, etc., to reach destinations without injury to self, pack stock or cargo.
  • Hauls personnel, animals, equipment and materials to and from trail heads.
  • When not actively engaged in packing operations, may be assigned as a working member of a trail crew performing various trail maintenance functions including but not limited to: sawing out downed trees, miscellaneous shoveling, trail grubbing, pasture fencing, and hiking.
Physical Effort: These positions are required to lift and move large heavy loads over 100 pounds on a regular basis. Awkward items such as rock drills, wood stoves, concrete bags, etc. must be placed onto mules and carried to remote work sites. Incumbent must walk, bend and ride on horseback for long hours. Required to lift, carry and secure awkward loads up to 100lbs. onto the sides of animals at or above chest height and use arms to hold packs in position while hitching ropes. Incumbent must be able to adjust these loads along the trail in steep, rocky or other poor footing situations. While preparing loads, incumbent is constantly required to bend, squat, twist, lift and carry loads onto trucks for transport. Position requires that the incumbent have good physical stamina and strength in arms, back and legs to perform these required tasks safely and efficiently. Position also requires ability to walk up to 20 miles per day while carrying loads or leading multiple heads of stock.

Working Conditions: These positions may work up to altitudes up to 10,000 feet in elevation, in all extremes of weather from wind, rain, snow and extreme cold, to hot, dry and dusty. Temperatures range from -40F to 95F sudden, violent changes. There is danger of cuts, burns and hypothermia; danger of strained or pulled muscles due to the movement of animals while hitching or loading, shoeing, etc.; danger from animals crushing, striking, or biting. Incumbent may work with chainsaws and rock drills in dusty areas where visibility and breathing are compromised. Incumbent may spend multiple nights in the backcountry camping with park stock in remote, cold environments.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Depending on location, occupancy of government quarters may be required.
  • Depending on location, government housing may be available.
  • You may 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/or shift work.
  • You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
  • You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Positions at Glacier, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks require a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) within 30 days of employment. Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks require a Class A CDL. Glacier National Park requires a Class B CDL. Positions at these locations will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, these positions at these respective parks are subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • All positions in this announcement require a valid driver's license. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), 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.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF THE POSITION WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION (SCREEN OUT) Applicants must show in their application package that they have experience with all of the following: packing stock animals for backcountry use under a leader or some supervision; handling and caring for horses and mules; safe and proper use of basic materials and equipment of the packing/trails trade with some assistance; and preparing, loading, and packing basic cargo over backcountry trails for long trips (greater than 10 miles).

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 Statement: 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

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. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Click here for the Federal Wage Schedule Website to calculate location specific pay.

This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at anytime without notification.

Not all locations listed will be filling positions. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified if there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.

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.

Benefits

A 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.

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Eligibility 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of the following categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:
  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/16/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  4. Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified on the rating criteria for this position.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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 12/16/2024. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
  2. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
  3. Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
  4. Select documents you want included in this application.
  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. 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.

Agency contact information

Shawn Lipinski
Address
Intermountain-Northern Rockies Regional Human Resources Office
Do not Send Mail
Northern Rockies SHRO, WY 82190
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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