The incumbent is responsible for packing supplies and equipment to backcountry locations by horses and/or mules. Provides support to crews in the backcountry; educate the public and agency employees in stock management related to Leave-No-Trace principles.

Duties

Transportation of unusual items may require loading pack stock in tandem or other similar methods. Transportation of unusual items may require loading pack stock in tandem or other similar methods. Packing duties are performed with a full string, normally consisting of nine pack animals and a lead horse. Responsible for maintenance and repair of tack, stock trucks and trailers, and stock handling facilities. Assists with stock handling and packing training and Leave-No-Trace stock use instruction to the public and Forest Service employee Performs incidental farrier duties and acts as a contract inspector for shoeing contracts. Purchase, package and transport variety of supplies and equipment such as food, water, salt, tools, explosives, lumber, pipe, propane bottles, and other equipment, a substantial portion of which may consist of unusual size and proportions of weight. Purchase, package and transport variety of supplies and equipment such as food, water, salt, tools, explosives, lumber, pipe, propane bottles, and other equipment, a substantial portion of which may consist of unusual size and proportions of weight. Purchase, package and transport variety of supplies and equipment such as food, water, salt, tools, explosives, lumber, pipe, propane bottles, and other equipment, a substantial portion of which may consist of unusual size and proportions of weight. Maintains pack equipment in good repair (e.g. ropes, halters, pack and riding saddles, cargo boxes, mantes, harness, lead, pigtails, sling, and cargo ropes). Lead pack strings/pack loads over steep mountainous trails and during fire emergencies day or night across country, off roads or trails where seasoned judgment in selection of route is necessary to prevent injury or loss to pack strings and loads. Operates, maintains, and performs pre-trip inspections on 5-ton stock trucks used for purposes of transporting stock (vehicle exceeds 26,000 GVWR). Pulls a 28 foot stock trailer (weighing 7,000 lbs.) loaded with up to eight horses/mules (weighing 1,000 pounds or more each). Lift, load and carry heavy bales of hay up to 125 pounds each.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• Must possess and maintain a valid commercial driver's license.
• If selected, you must register with the DOT Clearinghouse as a driver at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Register and complete a Query Consent. You must respond to the consent within 24 hours.
• This is a drug testing designated position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
• Must possess and maintain a Valid Driver's License.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Wage System Qualifications Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Basic Requirement: You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application must clearly demonstrate through experience shown in the resume materials that you possess the skill level that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of Animal Packer. Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by relevance, scope and quality of overall experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be ranked and rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below: Screen-out Job Element: Applicants must show the Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision. Applicants who do not meet the screen-out job elements will not be further evaluated.In addition to the above requirements, applicants will be ranked and rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified below: Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Materials Dexterity and Safety Additional Requirements: Commercial Driver's License: Must have and maintain a Commercial Driver's license (CDL). Drug Testing: Applicants must acknowledge the requirement to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use unless they currently occupy a testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of Transportation (DOT)/Forest Service Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Program. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary, or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position. 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]