You will serve as a Animal Caretaker MVO with National Park Service at North Cascades in the Maintenance Division. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. This position has a mixed work schedule based on the varying workload, and your work schedule is subject to change from part-time to full-time as workload dictates.
This is a term position. It may be extende contingent upon the availability of future park funding. If additional funding is not secured, the appointment will expire at the conclusion of the 13-month term. Career or career-conditional selectees will be converted to a Tenure 3 (Indefinite) appointment in accordance with applicable regulations. All applications received by 11:59 p.m. EST on the closing date will be considered.
This is a Merit Promotion announcement for a term appointment for National Park Service employees, Career Transition eligibilities (CTAP), Current or former time-limited employees eligible under Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) and those who are eligible under the hiring paths listed above.
Refer to Required Documents section for more information Animal Caretaking: Responsible for the care, selection, purchasing, training, and all aspects of stock management of a herd of up to 12 animals, Responsible for basic veterinary care of animals, Responsible for recognizing more serious animal injuries or illnesses and obtaining and coordinating the required medical care. Responsible for securing or performing regular farrier services.
Incumbent must be fully competent in properly trimming and shoeing of horses and mules, and performing complete farrier duties at regular intervals without causing injury to stock or people. Must ensure stock is properly shod before heading out into the backcountry. Incumbent oversees all barn and corral operations, including the cleaning, maintenance, and organization of the barn and corral.
Responsible for keeping accurate purchase records, veterinary records, and condition reports for individual animals. Animal Packing: Responsible for safely leading strings of up to 8 head over rough mountain trails, requiring long days on the trail and spending up to eight consecutive nights camped in remote backcountry settings.
Responsible for assembling and balancing loads of various types of equipment ( chainsaws, hand tools, gasoline, lumber, camping gear, food, propane tanks, etc.) for transport by pack animals over rough mountain trails in inclement weather.
Motor Vehicle Duties: Responsible for safely operating motor vehicles up to and including a 5-ton tractor type vehicle to pull 8-head gooseneck stock trailer over rough, narrow mountain roads and on highways to deliver stock and supplies to various locations. Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a valid State "Class A" Commercial Driver's License.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Incumbent will be required to operate a computer to check email, submit travel documents, online training, and enter hours worked into QuickTime. Incumbent will be required to adhere to park policy when using two-way radios and cell phones and to perform all functions and duties in a safe and efficient manner.
Organization and clear, concise communication with the Trails Supervisor about equipment and supply needs is mandatory in this position. Incumbent may be required to perform trail maintenance duties when not executing packer duties. This could include duties such as trail opening, tread and drainage work, and maintaining backcountry camps. Incumbent may be required to assist with long-line helicopter work. Performs Other Duties as Assigned
There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
This position is with National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
The posted pay range is $33.36 – $38.92/hr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-11.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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