Become a USDA Forest Service Animal Packer: Your Career in the Wild

Are you looking to escape the cubicle and trade your office view for the breathtaking expanse of America’s National Forests? The USDA Forest Service is currently recruiting for the position of Animal Packer. This is more than just a job; it is a vital role that ensures the accessibility and health of our most remote wilderness areas. If you are skilled in the art of horsemanship and packing, we want to talk to you.

Job Responsibilities

As an Animal Packer, your daily life will be as varied as the terrain you traverse. Your primary responsibilities include:

Packing Stock: Managing strings of horses and mules to deliver equipment such as chainsaws, crosscut saws, and construction materials into the backcountry.
Animal Health: Providing first aid, wound care, and general wellbeing maintenance for all animals.
Trail Support: Assisting trail crews and fire personnel by hauling essential food, water, and tools.
Facility Management: Maintaining pastures, fences, and stock facilities.

Requirements

Must be 18+ and a U.S. citizen.
Valid Driver’s License.
Ability to perform physically demanding work in remote, rugged conditions.
Strong knowledge of packing, rigging, and knot-tying.

Comparison of Potential Work Environments

Environment	Primary Focus	Physical Demands
Base/Ranch	Facility maintenance, feeding, training	Moderate (loading/unloading)
Backcountry	Trail support, long-distance packing	High (wilderness trekking)
Emergency	Fire support, supply delivery	High (time-sensitive, stress)

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a base pay of $25.05 per hour. Beyond the paycheck, you gain invaluable experience in federal land management, networking with environmental professionals, and the opportunity to live and work in some of the most beautiful locations in the United States.

How to Apply

Prepare a crisp, two-page resume.
Apply via the USAJOBS portal.
Ensure all supporting documents, including your driver's license and transcripts, are uploaded correctly.
Complete the online assessment thoroughly.

Being an Animal Packer is a rewarding, challenging, and essential role. If you are ready to serve the public by protecting our wild spaces, we encourage you to apply before the November 12, 2026, deadline.

Why This Animal Packer Job Matters

Combine your passion for the outdoors with specialized animal care as a Forest Service Animal Packer—the ultimate backcountry role for those who love working with horses and mules in America's most iconic wilderness.

Animal Packer Job Overview

The USDA Forest Service is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team as Animal Packers. This role is essential for maintaining trail accessibility and supporting field operations across our National Forests. As an Animal Packer, you will provide critical support to trail crews, resource managers, and fire teams by transporting supplies and equipment via pack stock. This is a unique, hands-on opportunity to work in remote mountain environments, utilizing traditional horsemanship and packing skills to preserve the natural beauty of our federal lands.

Requirements for Animal Packer

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Must be registered with the Selective Service if born after 12/31/1959.
Ability to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Must successfully complete an E-Verify employment check.
Ability to perform the physical duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications for Animal Packer

Documented experience in packing horses and mules.
Proficiency in tying various hitches (box, diamond, sling) for diverse loads.
Proven experience in animal first aid and basic veterinary care.
Demonstrated ability to perform ranch management tasks, including fence maintenance and irrigation.
Experience operating heavy equipment like tractors or hauling stock trailers.
Knowledge of Leave-No-Trace wilderness ethics.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive hourly federal compensation.
✓Unique opportunity to work in protected wilderness areas.
✓Training in specialized, traditional animal packing techniques.
✓Potential for long-term career growth within the USDA Forest Service.
✓Direct deposit payroll integration.

💡 How to Apply Animal Packer Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Animal Packer Job

Create or update your USAJOBS profile.
Prepare a resume that specifically highlights your animal packing, ranching, or relevant outdoor work experience, ensuring it does not exceed two pages.
Gather any necessary transcripts or eligibility documentation if required.
Click the 'Apply' button within the job announcement to start the assessment questionnaire.
Upload your resume and all supporting documents (must be under 5MB and in supported formats).
Review your submission for accuracy before the closing date of November 12, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Your resume must be exactly two pages or less; longer resumes will result in automatic removal from consideration.
Use your resume to clearly demonstrate how your previous work matches the major duties listed, such as specific experience with pack stock or heavy tools.
Submit your application well in advance of the deadline to account for potential technical delays.
Ensure your document uploads are legible and in the correct formats (PDF, TXT, or Word are preferred).
Use the contact information provided in the announcement if you experience any hardships while applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of an Animal Packer?

An Animal Packer works with horses and mules to transport equipment, tools, and supplies to remote trail and wilderness areas where vehicles cannot go.

Is housing provided?

Availability of government housing varies significantly by duty location; candidates should inquire with the specific location after selection.

Can I apply if I don't have professional ranch experience?

While experience is required, the Forest Service recognizes both paid and volunteer work; ensure your resume highlights any relevant volunteer experience that demonstrates your skills.

Job from Forest Service

The Forest Service manages over 193 million acres of public land. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests to meet the needs of present and future generations. From scientific research to trail maintenance, our employees work tirelessly to protect the American landscape.