Animal Packer

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in Grand Canyon National Park, in the Facility Management Division.

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.

This job is open to

Duties

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.

South Rim Housing: Permanent and Term employees with a Full Performance Level (FPL) of a GS-09 or WG-8 and above will be provided the option of accepting assigned housing, participating in the normal bid system, or accepting shared housing. Permanent and Term employees with an FPL of GS-08 or WG-7 and below may be provided the option of participating in the normal bid system or accepting shared housing. Any employee assigned to shared housing may continue to bid into non-shared housing.

Requirements

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. 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. You will 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 shift work. If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. You may be required to travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. 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 Equipment 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. To be found minimally qualified, your resume must show that you have performed the following duties under normal supervision: 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.

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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

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