Seasonal Animal Caretaker (Packer)

Created at: December 10, 2025 00:01

Company: National Park Service

Location: Yosemite National Park, CA, 95389

Job Description:

Yosemite National Park: 12 Vacancies. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April to May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April 2026. Salary Range: $23.65 - $27.59 per hour. For additional information regarding the open positions for this park, reach out to: Jessica Crow at Jessica_Crow@nps.gov or 209-347-7323.
Ability to do the work of an Animal Caretaker (Packer) without more than normal supervision (Screen out). Work history demonstrates experience as an Animal Packer performing the following duties: feeding, caring for, and handling mules and saddle horses. Maintain fences and pastures. Experience in animal packing and have routinely packed and led a string of 4-5 pack animals in wilderness and non-wilderness areas. Transport animals and equipment over narrow, mountainous, and/or unpaved roads, exercising care to secure loads to prevent injury to horses and mules. 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=WG-5000 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: 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).
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 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. The purpose of this position is to perform Animal Caretaker (Packer) duties. The full range of duties include packing supplies, materials, and equipment onto pack mules or horses; leading a string of up to 6 pack animals transporting supplies, materials, and equipment into back country work sites; loading and hauling horses and mules by truck and trailer; riding, handling, and training horses and mules. In addition, moves trail crew camps and trail opening work crews to new locations with pack mules, makes minor repairs to packing equipment and tack gear as required, shoes saddle horses and pack mules in remote back country locations, and in front country staging locations, makes diagnosis and treats minor horse/mule injuries and illnesses, and trains young mules for packing. Physical Demands: Light to heavy physical exertion is required in bending, lifting, reaching and horse-back riding for extended periods of time to perform work. Lifts, places and carries objects weighing up to 100 pounds. Heavy strain is incurred in controlling animals while shoeing and handling. Working Conditions: The incumbent is subject to working in elevations of 2,000 to 11,000 feet in moderate to severe weather conditions for periods up to six weeks at a time, in remote backcountry camps and work project areas. Incumbent is subject to being kicked, bitten, scratched, bruised and rope burns form unpredictable interactions with livestock. Works in temperatures from 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.


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