Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Bureau of Land Management; California; On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking a Horse Wrangler (Motor Vehicle Operator) to support the Wild Horse and Burro program across multiple locations in California, Idaho, and Wyoming. You will handle, care for, and prepare WH&Bs for adoption, including loading, unloading, and safe transport with various trailers.

Responsibilities include operating trucks up to 32,000 lb gross vehicle weight, assisting in corral work, public engagement, and ensuring safety and welfare under CAWP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Receives WH&Bs from trucks and correlates with the corral system, ensuring safe handling during unloading.
• Operates up to 36-foot horse trailers and other motor vehicles to haul WH&Bs as assigned.
• Rides and handles saddle horses to control WH&Bs from horseback for gathers or care.
• Performs basic maintenance and seeks assistance for major repairs as needed.
• Interacts with the public and adopters as part of the WH&B program.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: Bureau of Land Management

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: Litchfield, California Ridgecrest, California Boise, Idaho Bruneau, Idaho Rock Springs, Wyoming WG-08: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Key Responsibilities

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 and ranging between 26,000 and 32,000 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.

Requirements & Education

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

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $26.46 – $34.94/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-12.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.