What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seasonal Ranch Worker position at National Park Service?
Summary
These positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, but can be vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-October 2026.
For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.
Duties
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Conditions of employment
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following 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.
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.
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 temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours 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 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
Physical Effort: The incumbent must be in good physical condition. This position requires periods of sustained major exertion, including activities such as handling baled hay, each bale weighing as much as 100 lbs., handling feed sacks and fencing materials weighing up to 75-100lbs., and bending over to lift or pull squirming calves weighing up to 100 lbs. At times, major physical exertion is required to control and handle horses and cattle. The incumbent must be able to: move quickly and nimbly to move livestock and avoid aggressive cattle; walk across uneven surfaces including slopes, hummocks, ice, mud, gravel, ruts, and burrows; stand and walk for extended periods of time; kneel and crawl on occasion; use vision to perform gross and fine motor skills.
Working Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outdoors. The majority of work is performed outside. Temperatures range from 100 degrees above zero for short periods in the summer to lows of 30 degrees below zero. Work outside is in all types of weather and in greasy, noisy, dirty, drafty, or otherwise unpleasant conditions. Other environmental factors such as stinging and biting insects and exposure to pollens and dust derived from haying operations can be common. The incumbent is also exposed to dangerous or serious accidents while operating motor vehicles. There is a requirement for calving checks every 3-4 hours around the clock during the 6-8 week calving period. Special safety precautions and personnel protection equipment may be required.
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.
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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.
Review our benefits
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.
These positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, but can be vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-October 2026.
For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.
Duties
Help
- The major duties of the Ranch Worker WG-05 position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Livestock management
- Farming, ranching, and irrigation
- Natural resource and range management
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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.
- 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, and/or overtime work.
- 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.
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)
- Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Knowledge of materials
- Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
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.
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 temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours 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 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.
Physical Effort: The incumbent must be in good physical condition. This position requires periods of sustained major exertion, including activities such as handling baled hay, each bale weighing as much as 100 lbs., handling feed sacks and fencing materials weighing up to 75-100lbs., and bending over to lift or pull squirming calves weighing up to 100 lbs. At times, major physical exertion is required to control and handle horses and cattle. The incumbent must be able to: move quickly and nimbly to move livestock and avoid aggressive cattle; walk across uneven surfaces including slopes, hummocks, ice, mud, gravel, ruts, and burrows; stand and walk for extended periods of time; kneel and crawl on occasion; use vision to perform gross and fine motor skills.
Working Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outdoors. The majority of work is performed outside. Temperatures range from 100 degrees above zero for short periods in the summer to lows of 30 degrees below zero. Work outside is in all types of weather and in greasy, noisy, dirty, drafty, or otherwise unpleasant conditions. Other environmental factors such as stinging and biting insects and exposure to pollens and dust derived from haying operations can be common. The incumbent is also exposed to dangerous or serious accidents while operating motor vehicles. There is a requirement for calving checks every 3-4 hours around the clock during the 6-8 week calving period. Special safety precautions and personnel protection equipment may be required.
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.
Help
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.
Review our benefits
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.
