Explosives Worker (Materials Handler)

Full Job Description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for for Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facilities and the Major Range and Test Facilities Base Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Operate one or a few automatic machines and perform one or a few hand assembly operations in a production line environment which involve a limited number of operations and require judgment and manual skill.

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no specific length of training or experience required.

However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Explosives Worker (Materials Handler) ~ without more than normal supervision.

Must have the ability the ability to perform some tasks including performing repetitive hand operations to assemble or disassemble ammunition or explosives items - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Effort: Is required to frequently lift bomb, shell, or rocket casings, powder charges, etc., weighing 30 to 40 pounds. Some assignments require lifts of 50 to 60 pounds at a production pace.

All lifts over 50 pounds will be assisted with a two person lift or using a mechanical handling equipment lifting device.

The two person lift limit is 100 pounds and will only be used for single event, non-routine lifts.

May pull or push hand trucks weighing several hundred pounds and work requires walking, bending, reaching, crouching, and long periods of standing or sitting.

Endurance and hand-eye coordination are required to work at a set pace and rhythm for long periods.

Working Conditions: Frequently lifts bomb, shell, or rocket casings, powder charges, or other objects weighing 30 to 40 pounds; some assignments require lifts above 60 pounds.

May pull or push hand trucks weighing several hundred pounds. The work requires sitting, walking, bending, reaching, crouching, and long periods of standing.

Endurance and eye-hand coordination are required to work at a set pace and rhythm for long periods.

Work is usually performed indoors, or outdoors in covered areas or passageways which provide some protection.

Work areas are usually well lighted and ventilated, however, some operations can cause uncomfortable steam or heat conditions.

The workers stand on floors made of concrete, lead, or conductive composition and are frequently exposed to moisture and wet floors due to cleanup operations.

They wear protective clothing such as specially treated coveralls, respirators, and goggles on many assignments.

There is exposure to the possibility of explosion and flash fires and chance of injuries ranging from loss of life or limbs to burns, cuts, bruises, sprains, and nausea. Major Duties:

• Operate automatic machines such as a vacuum machine to draw off powder charges or a pull-apart machine to break down fixed cartridge ammunition for reloading or demilitarization.
• Know the cycle of operation of automatic machines and the sequence of hand procedures to load, operate, and unload a hydraulic defusing machine.
• Operate a vacuum unit to draw off powder from explosives containers, exercise knowledge of munitions to prevent or to neutralize powder spills and assure all powder has been removed from in order to completely neutralize the item.
• Handle the fuse and fused projectile safety and quickly, load and operate the machine, and observe the machine for indications of malfunction.
• Receive, stow, issue and rewarehouse ammunition (live and inert) and its components.