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Open: March 3, 2026 — Closes: March 17, 2026
Summary
Kings Canyon National Parks: 4 Vacancies. The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period is April to May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April-May 2026. Salary Range: $22.13 - $25.81 per hour. For additional information regarding the open positions for this park, reach out to: Barnaby Fisher at barnaby_fisher@nps.gov or 559-565-4364 OR Tony Fiorino at antonio_c_fiorino@nps.gov.
Major Duties
The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1560 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between sites depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding. Major Duties include: Feeds and cares for 6 to 10 mules and 4 to 6 saddle horses. Feeds and wrangles stock in backcountry settings. trains and corrects behavior problems in horses and mules. Administers medications to stock. Performs farrier duties including emergency field shoeing and trimming. Builds loads and packs food, tools, camp equipment, explosives, supplies and materials to trail crews. Transports livestock, supplies and materials via truck and trailer from source to trail heads including transporting, loading and unloading of hay. Maintain tack, sheds and corral fence lines. Incumbent frequently drives on narrow winding mountain roads. Performs routine vehicle inspections on trucks and trailers and does minor repairs. Work requires hiking in a mountainous area (elevations above 10,000 feet) over a rough and uneven terrain with backpack/tools up to several miles in a day. Position is subject to frequent extended travel and camping in remote areas. Physical Effort: Animal Caretaking and Packing: Heavy physical effort is required in bending, lifting while using saddles and tack. Frequently lifts and loads pack boxes and other objects weighing 50 pounds. Occasionally, with assistance, lifts and loads pack boxes weighing from 60 pounds to over 100 pounds. Routinely rides up to 15 miles a daily, and periodically 25 miles or more. Frequently works with horses and mules weighing over 1000 pounds utilizing greater strength and agility to wrangle stronger and more active livestock. Motor vehicle operation: Moderate physical effort is needed by this position in operating, turning, backing and controlling vehicles which carry heavy loads. Required to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 pounds. Considerable physical effort may be required to change tires and make limited emergency repairs, such as installing an emergency fan belt or replacing an electrical fuse on open highways. Working Conditions: Incumbent must have the ability to live and work effectively in mountainous wilderness areas in close contact with small numbers of people for extended periods of time. The incumbent will be working outdoors in extreme temperatures varying from +100 to near 10 F. When working outside, worker is frequently exposed to bad weather. Incumbent works in rain, mud, snow, and in cold temperatures. Icy, slippery conditions are normal for approximately six months each year. The working environment is dusty, dirty, hot, wet and under certain conditions noisy. There may be occasions during the season that the incumbent will work in heavy rain, falling snow, and frigid conditions. The incumbent may be required to work long hours, hike or ride long distances in rough terrain, and work around hazardous conditions. Wrangling involves work with occasionally unpredictable and ill-natured animals resulting in exposure to the possibility of injury from bites, scratches and kicks. The individual may be exposed to poisonous reptiles and plants. At time he/she may be required to make stream crossings in cold, swift water, either by horse or by foot. The individual must be able to withstand with rigors of life in remote, primitive conditions for periods of two to twelve weeks at a time. Kings National Park at times has poor air quality and the presence of smoke during fires. The Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains of California may pose human health problems due to air pollution. Work will be performed at times when there is poor air quality.