Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator)

You will serve as a Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator) with Bureau of Land Management. This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management at the following locations: Fallon, Nevada Reno, Nevada Winnemucca, Nevada Hines, Oregon Wheatland, Wyoming WG-07: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Duties

This position is located within the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro (WH&B) Program, focusing on operations at a WH&B holding facility. The incumbent is responsible for the well-being and welfare of WH&Bs, which includes their comprehensive care, feeding, safe handling, preparation for adoption, veterinary treatment, and facility maintenance. The work of the position involves interacting with the public and adopters. The job duties are subject to requirements of the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP). Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Receives WH&Bs from trucks and trailers into the corral system and separates them by gender. Ensures WH&Bs are handled safely in trucks, corrals, and chutes during the unloading process. Given the unpredictable and potentially hazardous nature of transporting WH&Bs for extended periods, the incumbent must adeptly handle WH&Bs to mitigate any risks of injury to the animals, themselves, and fellow workers. Operates up to 36-foot horse trailers (e.g., gooseneck and bumper pull) and other similar length trailers to haul WH&Bs. Loads, arranges, and transports WH&Bs according to BLM guidelines to ensure the safest and most comfortable transportation to reduce the incidents of injuries or deaths. Selects routes and identifies alternative routes. Trucks may be operated within facilities, over highways, interstates, off-road and in rough terrain in all weather conditions. Rides and handles saddle horses to safely control WH&Bs from horseback on the open range, in corrals and in pen areas for gathers or general care. Controls individual WH&Bs unwilling to enter traps or corral systems as well as ropes WH&Bs from horseback if the situation dictates. Operates various types of trucks or other motor vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 26,000 pounds to haul hay, manure, dirt, gravel, water or other supplies, materials, and equipment related to WH&Bs for specific assignments or regularly established schedules. Trucks may be operated within facilities, over highways, interstates, off-road, and in rough terrain in all weather conditions. As required, troubleshoots and performs basic maintenance and seeks assistance from others when major maintenance is needed.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/02/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Operate Without More than Normal Supervision (Screen Out) Assisting with preparing Wild Horse & Burros for the transportation to adoption sites, long-term facilities and other designated locations Providing guidance and assistance on handling, care and feeding practices Operating various types of trucks to haul hay, water and other materials related to Wild Horse & Burros Technical Practices Dexterity and Safety Materials Measuring Instruments Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands. Firearm qualification and certification are required for the role, and ongoing proficiency must be maintained. Skill and ability to ride horse back and rope Wild Horse & Burros or other closely related stock. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.