The Pacific West Region is recruiting for summer seasonal Animal Caretaker (Packer Helper), WG-5048-5 positions intended to assist permanent staff with Animal Packer field work. Season is generally from mid-April through mid October.

Duties

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide assistance to backcountry operation specifically, packing operations. Incumbent will assist the journeyman Animal Packer in performing all aspects of his/her duties and responsibilities. Incumbent acquires the knowledge and skills of various phases of packing through on-the-job training and instruction by the other experienced Animal Packers. Under the Animal Packer's guidance, assembles and packages all types of cargo in neat, correct and compact arrangements in a tight package that can be handled, carefully balanced, loaded and hitched aboard horses and mules. Assists with the packing of a wide variety of cargo such as lumber, doors, bridge decking, culverts, cook stoves, food, prefabricated pit toilets, roofing, explosives, hay and any other type of supplies and materials. Helps lead loaded pack animals to remote backcountry locations. Maintain packing equipment in good repair such as ropes, halters, pack and riding saddles, cargo boxes, manties, harnesses, leads, pigtails, slings, and cargo ropes. Splices and weaves new rope accessories, sews various leather materials, etc. needed in packing assignments. Responsible for performing trail maintenance and construction tasks when not performing packing duties. May perform duties such as: clearing trails of windfalls, limbs, brush, rock, landslides and other debris; digging or cleaning culverts and ditches for drainage purposes; trail tread work on native soil, gravel and asphalt trails; building and repairing bridges, puncheon or foot-logs; operating chainsaws, rock drills, power brush cutters and augers and other power tools; using axes, pulaskis, shovels, picks, wheelbarrows and other hand tools. Physical Demands: The incumbent must possess good coordination and endurance for hiking, leading of pack string and operation of vehicles, equipment and power/hand tools. The incumbent will be subjected to some degree of strain when operating vehicles, tools and equipment for extended periods of time over rough surfaces and uneven grades. The incumbent frequently lifts, pushes, pulls and carries items weighing 70 pounds. On occasion, the incumbent may lift and carry tools and materials weighing up to 100 pounds. The incumbent may be required to walk up to 20 miles per day, over steep and/or rough trails. Working Conditions: Work is performed in elevation ranges from sea level to 8000 feet. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind and extreme temperatures (hot/cold). Terrain is often rugged and steep with unsure footing. Hazards include falling limbs/trees/rocks, rough terrain, snow slides and unpredictable interaction with stock animals. Work requires strenuous hiking and physical effort in the management of stock animals. Incumbent will be required to spend up to eight consecutive nights camping in a remote backcountry setting.

Requirements

Qualifications

Ability to do the work of a Animal Caretaker (Packer Helper) WG-5048-5 without more than normal supervision (Screen out). Work history demonstrates experience as an Animal Packer performing the following duties: provide for daily care of horses and mules by feeding and watering; groom and saddle horses and mules; clean barns, stalls and corrals; administer minor first aid to horses and mules; perform visual checks on horses and mules to determine general condition of health; load and unload horses and mules from trailers; drive truck with horse trailer on public roads. 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 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.

Contacts

• Address Olympic National Park 600 E Park Avenue Port Angeles, WA 98362 US
• Name: Kevin Oliver
• Email: [email protected]