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SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT)

Department of the Air Force
Air Education and Training Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to plan, lay out, fabricate, modify, repair, assemble, and install complex aircraft sheet metal parts, items, and assemblies that have combined straight and curved edges of irregular curves and planes.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/23/2026 to 01/29/2026
Salary
$73,275 to - $85,484 per year

The Hourly Rate is $35.11-$40.96

Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Altus AFB, OK
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
4L-AFPC-12871409-101321-VEM
Control number
855212800

Duties

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  • Plans and lays out work from blueprints, sketches, drawings, specifications, and work orders in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal structures which have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves.
  • Examines aircraft sheet metal structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets. Uses and maintains tools.
  • Fabricates aircraft flexible control cables. Performs minor corrosion and paint removal to determine the extent of damage and needed repairs.
  • Performs bonded repairs to metal, fiberglass and advanced composite (graphite, Kevlar) structures. Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains asafe and clean work environment.
  • Fabricate aircraft tubing and local manufacture workorders. Uses conventional spray equipment to perform minor painting of components.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license may be required for the position.
  • May be required to be certified for working with and/or removing hazardous materials.
  • May be required to work shifts or uncommon tours of duty. Subject to call back to meet emergency situations.
  • May be required to obtain an appropriate clearance to perform work in sensitive areas.
  • Required to enter in confined spaces.
  • Performs other related duties as required.
  • This is a drug testing position.
  • This position has a limited area of consideration to command-wide (AETC).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-3800 Metal Work Family. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

The screen out element for this position is the ability to do the work of a SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT) without more than normal supervision.

JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of any metals used in the trade, e.g., stainless steel, magnesium, and aluminum alloys.
2. Knowledge of advanced shop mathematics and principles of radial-line development combined with parallel-line development to calculate and devise patterns involving combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves, angles, and planes.
3. Basic knowledge of trade practices, accepted surface preparation and coating methods, and of paints and thinning additives. Knowledge of safety and environmental standards, regulations, and requirements.
4. Skill in planning, laying out work in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal parts and components that have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves. Skill in using complicated measuring instruments such as protractors; calipers; micrometers, height, depth, dial, and screw pitch gauges; and other hand measuring devices.
5. Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical specifications. Skill in selecting and applying the proper coating materials for a variety of sheet metal surfaces of aircraft. Skill in using a wide variety of hand and power tools such as saws, swagers, and pneumatic riveters and bending machines, and soldering; and painting tools such as brushes, rollers, spray guns, viscosity tester, thickness gauges.
6. Ability to examine aircraft sheet metal, fiberglass, and composite structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets and determine the type and extent of repairs needed to restore original strength, Ability to make repairs by manufacturing and installing new parts, reinforcing, patching, and replacing defective parts. Ability to use computer terminals to maintain records and document actions.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work encompasses strenuous physical exertion when bending and shaping the complex items that are large and bulky. Physical location of work is in shop areas, hangars, and flight line locations. Physical exertion is moderate and includes prolonged standing, climbing up and down ladders, non-powered support equipment and motorized platforms. Works in cramped and awkward positions while installing items; and reaching, lifting, and bending while using hand and powered tools. Worker must be able to work at heights above 75 feet and must be able to egress down from these heights in an emergency situation. Weight lifted seldom exceeds 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Works both inside and outside and is subjected to a variety of extreme weather conditions plus a moderate amount of noise and vibration from shop machines and to a variety of weather conditions. Lighting and ventilation may be poor at times. Subject to cuts, bruises, falls, and burns. Required to wear safety glasses and other applicable safety equipment when performing eye hazardous operations. Must be capable of being placed on the Respiratory Protection Program.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.


BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience relates to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements.


The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

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