Become an Animal Packer: A Unique Career with the Forest Service
Are you looking for a career that takes you away from the desk and into the heart of the American wilderness? The USDA Forest Service is hiring for the position of Animal Packer, a critical role that supports the maintenance, research, and protection of our National Forests. This position offers the rare opportunity to combine animal husbandry, logistics, and outdoor adventure in a professional capacity.
Job Responsibilities
As an Animal Packer, your primary responsibility is the efficient transport of equipment and supplies to remote locations that are inaccessible by vehicle. Your daily tasks may include:
- Stock Management: Selecting, loading, and caring for horses and mules.
- Logistics: Transporting everything from food and tents to bridge materials and explosives.
- Wilderness Stewardship: Acting as a Wilderness First Responder for your animals and teaching others Leave-No-Trace principles.
- Operational Support: Providing support for fire crews and trail maintenance teams.
Requirements
To be eligible for this position, candidates must meet specific criteria:
- U.S. Citizenship.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Valid Driver's License.
- Ability to pass background and E-Verify checks.
- Willingness to work in remote, unpredictable, and rugged environments.
Salary and Work Environment
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary | $28.04 per hour |
| Schedule | Full-time, Temporary (Seasonal) |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months |
| Work Location | Remote/Backcountry (Multiple Locations) |
Benefits
While this is a temporary seasonal position, it provides unparalleled professional growth. You will gain expertise in livestock management, mountain safety, and project coordination that is highly valued in environmental and land management sectors.
Application Tips
- Resume Brevity: Your resume must be two pages or less. Over-length resumes will disqualify you.
- Detail Your Experience: Clearly explain your experience with pack stock, ranch maintenance, and heavy equipment operation.
- Document Readiness: Ensure your college transcripts and proof of eligibility (if applicable) are ready to upload.
Serving as an Animal Packer is a physically demanding yet deeply rewarding way to contribute to our national heritage. If you possess the grit, animal handling skills, and dedication to conservation, we invite you to apply and help us manage these magnificent landscapes.
Why This Animal Packer Job Matters
Embark on an extraordinary career where the wilderness is your office and pack animals are your partners in conservation.
Animal Packer Job Overview
The USDA Forest Service is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Animal Packers for the 2027 season. In this unique, hands-on role, you will be responsible for transporting essential supplies, construction materials, and research equipment to remote backcountry locations using horses and mules. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute directly to the stewardship of our nation's most pristine public lands while mastering traditional packing techniques in a breathtaking, outdoor environment.
Requirements for Animal Packer
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
- Registration with the Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Willingness to live and work in remote, unpredictable backcountry environments.
- Ability to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of an E-Verify employment check.
Preferred Qualifications for Animal Packer
- Proven experience in packing and maintaining horses or mules in mountain terrain.
- Knowledge of Leave-No-Trace wilderness principles.
- Demonstrated ability to perform ranch and pasture management tasks.
- Experience in operating heavy ranch equipment or towing stock trailers.
- Strong communication skills for teaching packing clinics and stock safety protocols.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive hourly wage
- ✓Hands-on experience in public land management
- ✓Unique professional development in animal husbandry and wilderness survival
- ✓Opportunity to participate in crucial fire and trail support operations
- ✓Networking with diverse resource management teams
💡 How to Apply Animal Packer Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Animal Packer Job
- Review the full vacancy announcement thoroughly.
- Create or update your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages.
- Complete the online Assessment Questionnaire.
- Upload required documentation, ensuring files are under 5MB and in supported formats.
- Submit your application package electronically before the deadline.
💡 General Tips
- Your resume must explicitly detail your relevant work history; focus on your packing experience and tool proficiency.
- Ensure your resume adheres strictly to the two-page limit; exceeding this will result in immediate disqualification.
- Check your USAJOBS email notifications frequently for updates regarding your application status.
- Apply well before the closing date to ensure any potential technical issues can be resolved.
- Clearly outline your hours worked per week and specific dates of employment for each listed position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of an Animal Packer?
Animal Packers are responsible for transporting food, tools, and construction materials to remote backcountry areas using pack animals, and ensuring the health and safety of these animals in wilderness settings.
Are there specific education requirements?
There is no formal education substitution for this position, but applicants must demonstrate their ability to perform the duties of the role through relevant experience.
Will I be working in a single location?
This position covers multiple National Forest locations; by selecting 'Location Negotiable', you indicate willingness to be considered for various sites across the region.
Job from Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service, an agency within the Department of Agriculture, is dedicated to the stewardship of over 193 million acres of public land. From conducting scientific research to providing technical assistance for forestry, the agency is committed to ensuring the health, diversity, and productivity of forests to meet the needs of present and future generations.