Summary
These positions may be filled for a seasonal period, up to 1039 hours, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.
Anticipated Entry on Duty:
November 2027.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 08/10/2026 to be considered.
For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.
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Duties
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Major Duties:
- The animal packer is responsible for preparing, securing, and packing loads of varying sizes, shapes, and weights using hitches appropriate to the task at hand.
- Responsible for feeding, medical treatment (including administering subcutaneous and intramuscular injections), the general care of livestock and livestock facilities.
- Use of heavy equipment to clean corrals, the care and maintenance of all tack equipment, and transporting mules via trailer both in and out of Grand Canyon National Park.
- Animal Packers will also at times be required to assume crew leader responsibilities for inner-canyon trail crews during the absence of the regular crew leader.
- The incumbent is responsible for assisting packer in using livestock to pack supplies throughout Grand Canyon National Park, caring, feeding, and providing basic veterinary care for livestock.
- Assisting trail crew leaders by providing transport of groceries and equipment to inner-canyon bunkhouses and spike camps, cleaning, repairing and maintaining saddles and associated tack.
- Maintaining a high degree of safety (for livestock, visitors, workers, and self) in the performance of duties.
- Perform trail construction and repair as necessary. This includes operating all trail-related hand and power tools, making trail improvements, and implementing safety protocols. Performs other duties as assigned.
Area Information: These positions are stationed at Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim located in Northern Arizona. The South Rim is located approximately 60 miles north of Williams and 82 miles Northwest of Flagstaff at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Temperatures range from approximately 90 degrees in the summer to 0 degrees in the winter. Annual participation averages around 13 inches.
Grand Canyon Village has schools K-12, a daycare center, post office, general store, churches, a recreation center with gym, a public library, a clinic with resident physicians, and several restaurants. The park community consists of some 2,500 people, including employees of the NPS and concessionaires and their family members. There are often employment opportunities for family members in the park and surrounding areas. The park community is small enough that many employees choose to walk or bike from their homes to work. Complete shopping, educational, medical and professional services are available in Williams and Flagstaff. Flagstaff has a population of about 75,000 and has multiple K-12 public and private schools, Northern Arizona University, and diverse community, medical and other support services. Recreational opportunities include hiking, backpacking, fishing, cross-country and downhill skiing, and golfing in nearby communities.
Requirements
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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.
- Depending on location, occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Depending on location, government housing may be available.
- You may 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/or shift work.
- You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
- You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
- 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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
- Ability to Do the Work of a Animal Packer, WG-5001-07 Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
- Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipmen
- Dexterity and Safety
- Knowledge of materials
- Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
- Use of Measuring Instruments
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.Planned, organized, and safely performed the daily work of an animal packer to pack trail tools, and transport supplies and equipment to backcountry sites. I have performed trail work drain clearing and removing downfall using both an axe and x-cut saw. I have handled and cared for mules or horses in the backcountry while maintaining a leave no trace campsite. I have prepared, loaded, and packed cargo on heavily trafficked backcountry trails to include trails over steep terrain, short switch backs, and rocky uneven tread for long trips. I have loaded and unloaded stock from trailers and driven truck and trailer combos to transport stock and equipment.
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.
Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. You can only submit one resume; Only the resume submitted under the "Resume" "Document Type" will be used to determine your qualifications and for rating purposes.
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.
Additional information
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.
Click here for the Federal Wage Schedule Website to calculate location specific pay.
This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at any time without notification.
This position will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.
Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).
If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the appointment limit in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.
The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than the appointment limit.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
Physical Effort: ncumbent must have the physical ability to perform tasks which require handling heavy objects (75 lbs.) of various weights, sizes and shapes. Incumbent must be physically fit and able to ride livestock for long periods of time (up to six hours); may also be required to hike long distances (10 miles or more) in varying terrain and extreme weather conditions while carrying heavy packs and tools.
Working Conditions: ncumbent will be exposed to dust, steep narrow trails, noise, and congested areas. Weather and temperature conditions vary greatly, ranging from 120 degrees in the summer months, to 0 degree temperatures in the winter. Animal Packers will also be exposed to rough terrain and large elevation changes (2200 ft. to 8,000 ft.).
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
