National Park Service
Animal Caretaker (MVO) (Seasonal)
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Summary
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) Technical Practices: theoretical precise, artistic Use of Measuring Instruments Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications; other than blueprints Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Knowledge of Materials Dexterity and Safety Operation of Motor Vehicles 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. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. 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. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position. 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.
Major Duties
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for stock management of up to 12 animals. Performing basic veterinarian care and recognizing more serious injuries and illnesses to coordinate medical care. Responsible for leading seasonal packer in packing, care, and handling of stock. Regularly couple and uncouple trucks from trailers, and properly connect and disconnect electrical brake controllers. Independently operate and maintain any necessary small equipment (loaders, skid steer loaders) to load and unload trucks. Physical Effort: The incumbent must possess good coordination and endurance for hiking, leading of pack string and operations of vehicles, equipment, axes and saws. The incumbent will frequently ride horse and/or mules up to 20 miles in a day while guiding a pack string of up to 8 animals. Incumbent will be required to lift, carry, and secure awkward loads up to 100 lbs onto the sides of animals at or above chest height and use arms to hold packs in position while hitching ropes. Incumbent must be able to adjust these loads along the trail in steep, rocky, or other poor footing situations. While preparing loads, incumbent is required to constantly bend, squat, twist, lift and places loads onto trucks for transport. When performing trail maintenance, incumbent will be required to do strenuous work with hand tools on steep slopes and walk up to 20 miles per day while carrying loads over difficult terrain. Position requires that the incumbent maintain good physical stamina and strength in arms, back, and legs to perform these required tasks safely and efficiently. Working Conditions: Incumbent will be required to work at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 6000 ft in all extremes of weather including wind, rain, and snow, and temperatures ranging from 20 degrees F to 100 degrees F with sudden and extreme changes. there is a risk of cuts, scrapes, sunburns, and hypothermia, strained or pulled muscles due to the movement of animals while hitching or loading, shoeing, etc., and danger from animals crushing, striking, or biting. Other hazards include falling limbs/tree/rocks, rough terrain, snow slides and unpredictable interaction with stock animals. Incumbent is required to wear the official NPS uniform. Appropriate and required PPE will be provided at the park's expense. Incumbent will frequently lift, push, and pull loads weighing more than 100 pounds on poor footing and in awkward areas. Incumbent will be required to work in dust conditions where visibility and breathing are compromised. Incumbent may occasionally be required to work long hours while packing (up to 14 hours in a day). Incumbent will routinely be required to spend multiple nights in the backcountry camping with pack stock in remote, outdoor environments. Incumbents work schedule may changes suddenly and requently to accommodate work crew's schedule.
Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit Home | E-Verify Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. Must possess and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL). (SELECTIVE FACTOR) . Pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive test is received. You will be required to obtain and maintain a valid National Park Service Explosives Handler certification upon completion of appointment training course. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. Occupancy of government quarters may be required. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 14 nights per month. You may have to obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You must be at least 21 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/26/2026unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement:: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete All Required Assessment(s). Documentation of Class A CDL - No picture if submitting a copy of the license. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from https: www.va.gov/records or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Interagency Career Transition (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): You MUST submit proof of eligibility including 1) copy of the agency notice, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc.; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be well qualified. For more information visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the10/26/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13082722 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.