Clarification from the agency

Under this announcement, we are accepting applications from: 1. All United States Citizens (U.S. Citizens) 2. CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles.

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 between sites 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.

Major Duties include:

Feeds and cares for 6 to 10 mules and 4 to 6 saddle horses. Feeds and wrangles stock in backcountry settings. Trains and corrects behavior problems in horses and mules. Administers medications to stock. Performs farrier duties including emergency field shoeing and trimming. Builds loads and packs food, tools, camp equipment, explosives, supplies and materials to trail crews. Transports livestock, supplies and materials via truck and trailer from source to trail heads, including transporting, loading and unloading of hay. Maintains tack, sheds and corral fence lines. Incumbent frequently drives on narrow winding mountain roads. Performs routine vehicle inspections on trucks and trailers and does minor repairs. May be assigned to isolated backcountry locations for periods of 4 to 12 weeks at a time. Operates trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds GVW and trailers over 10,000 pounds on unpaved roads transporting horses and mules.

Physical Demands: Motor Vehicle Operation: Moderate physical effort is needed by this position in operating, turning, backing, and controlling vehicles which carry heavy loads. Required to frequently lift items weighing over 50 lbs. Considerable physical effort may be required to change tires and make limited emergency repairs, such as installing an emergency fan belt or replacing an electrical fuse on open highways. Animal Caretaking and Packing: Heavy physical effort is required in bending, lifting while using saddles and tack. Frequently lifts and loads pack boxes and other objects weighing 60-100 pounds. Occasionally, with assistance, lifts and loads pack boxes weighing over 100 lbs. Routinely ride up to 15 miles daily , and periodically 25 miles or more. Frequently works with horses and mules weighing over 100 lbs.

Working Conditions: Incumbent must have the ability to live and work effectively in backcountry areas in close contact with small numbers of people for extended periods of time. The incumbent will be working outdoors in extreme temperatures varying form 100+ to near 10 F. The working environment is dusty, dirty, hot, wet and under certain conditions noisy. There may be occasions during the season that the incumbent will work in heavy rain, falling snow, and frigid conditions. The incumbent may be required to work long hours, hike or ride long distances in rough terrain, and work around hazardous conditions. The individual may be exposed to poisonous reptiles and plants. At time he/she may be required to make stream crossings in cold, swift water, either by horse or by foot. The individual must be able to withstand the challenges of life in remote, primitive conditions for periods of two to twelve weeks at a time.

Air Quality: Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm.

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.
• You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• You must possess and maintain a current Class A Commercial Driver's License by the closing date of this announcement.
• Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.
• You will 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 shift work.
• Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• 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.

Qualifications

SELECTIVE FACTOR: This position requires regular and recurring work and camping in rugged mountainous backcountry above 7,000 ft elevation for extended periods of time. Selectees must be able to hike by foot in the backcountry at high altitude for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools and supplies of at least 50 lbs, and be able to camp for several days at a time. This experience must clearly be stated in your resume or other application documents, or you may be found ineligible.
- AND -
Ability to do the work of a Motor Vehicle Operator (Animal Packer) without more than normal supervision; experience includes: worked as an Animal Packer feeding, caring for, and handling mules and saddle horses. Maintain fences and pastures. Experience in animal packing and routinely packed and led a string of 4-5 pack animals in wilderness and non wilderness areas. Transported animals and equipment over narrow, mountainous, and/or unpaved roads, exercising care to secure loads to prevent injury to horses and mules.

You must possess and maintain a current Class A Commercial Driver's License by the closing date of this announcement.

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: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118C/index.htm

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.

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).

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.

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.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:

• 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 Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles
• Reliability and Dependability as a Motor Vehicle Operator
• Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/31/2025:

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. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
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.
   • Applicants who are eligible to be considered based on a Noncompetitive or Special Hiring Authority (i.e. Schedule A, VRA, Peace Corps, Americorp Vista, former PLC member, certain Military Spouses, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Pathways Interns who have met the eligibility requirements for noncompetitive conversion, etc.) must submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.
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 or above 90 on the rating criteria for this position.

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.

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