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Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic (Forklift Operator) Leader-Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command

Summary

Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to lead a team of trades, workers in installation, modification, troubleshooting, maintenance, & repair of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile equipment; with utility systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, features, for construction, combat, earth moving, firefighting, refueling, industrial or special applications.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 02/21/2026
Salary
$37.28 to - $43.51 per hour

Salary listed is Edwards AFB, if you are selected for a different location your salary is dependent upon duty location and step.

Pay scale & grade
WL 10
Locations
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Edwards AFB, CA
Eglin AFB, FL
Holloman AFB, NM
Nellis AFB, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
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
AFMC-580310-12882888-SJB
Control number
857348600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

Duties

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  • Leads teams of vehicle maintenance personnel to effectively and efficiently accomplish the work of a team of multi-craft extended personnel performing predominantly Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic duties.
  • Troubleshoots hard-to-locate problems, identifies defects and causes of mechanical problems to determine type and extent of necessary repairs to a variety of heavy mobile vehicles and equipment.
  • Repairs, overhauls, and rebuilds a variety of heavy mobile equipmen/vehicles such as bulldozers, road graders, power shovels, mobile cranes, heavy combat equipment, and missile transporters, including their major systems, i.e., diesel, multi-fuel, and gasoline engines (including supercharged and turbocharged), automatic/manual transmissions, multi-gear assemblies, and a variety of positioning systems.
  • Makes repairs to passenger vehicles that can be accomplished by removing, replacing, adjusting, and cleaning defective parts or components such as spark plugs, fan belts, generators, starters, carburetors, fuel and water pumps, mufflers, tail pipes, wheel bearings, brakes, radiators, engine components, and heating and cooling devices.
  • Performs scheduled and unscheduled preventive maintenance on vehicles to restore automotive equipment to a serviceable condition.
  • Conducts functional and performance tests using a wide variety of test procedures and equipment on completed work assignments.
  • Operates one or more electric, LPG, or diesel powered fork lift trucks which are capable of lifting loads of less than 10,000 pounds as high as 168 inches to facilitate loading and unloading duties.
  • Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains safe and clean work environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • This position may require travel.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary period or trail period.
  • Selectee may require certification for serving and maintaining automative air conditioning systems.
  • Selectee will receive training on the handling and disposition of hazardous waste.
  • Selectee may be required to train and/or guide lower grad personnel.
  • Selectee may be required to drive a motor vehicle; an appropriate valid driver's license will be required.
  • Selectee may be required to participate in mobility exercises.
  • Selectee may be required to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor in his/her absence.
  • Selectee may frequently lift and carry items unassisted weighing up to 40 pounds and often exerts similar effort in pushing, pulling and positioning parts.

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-5800 Transportation/Mobile Equipment Maintenance 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.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: Knowledge of various techniques for removing, replacing, cleaning, and installing a variety of parts, components, and accessories such as filters, radiators, engine thermostats, wheel cylinders, universal joints, wheel bearings, springs, shock absorbers, mufflers, components of heating and air conditioning. systems, brake components, catalytic converters, clutch assemblies, carburetors, and suspension components such as lower control arms, struts, constant velocity joints (CV Joints), and stabilizer arms. Ability to trace and locate defects which cause hydraulic and other major systems to fail or not perform up to specifications. Must be able to analyze malfunctions and determine the extent of repairs necessary by visual and auditory examinations and by use of a wide variety of test equipment such as engine analyzers, injector testers, micrometers, calipers, dial indicators. Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical.

The screen out element for this position is Ability To Do The Work Of The Position 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:
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
Use of Measuring Instruments
Ability To Lead Or Supervise
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (Includes blueprint reading)
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Trouble shooting

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Ability to lead three or more other workers to accomplish maintenance and repair of heavy mobile equipment.
2. Knowledge of heavy mobile equipment assembly, installation, and repair, i.e., bulldozers, road graders, power shovels, mobile cranes, heavy combat equipment, and missile transporters.
3. Knowledge of technical practices in order to repair/overhaul major systems (i.e., diesel, multi-fuel, and gasoline engines, automatic and manual transmissions, multi-gear assemblies, and a variety of positioning systems) and to remove, replace, clean, and ir1stall a variety of parts, components, and accessories (i.e., wheel cylinders, universal joints, springs, shock absorbers, catalytic converters, clutch assemblies, mufflers, etc.).
4. Knowledge of safety regulations, procedures, and policies to include environmental directives pertaining to handling hazardous materials.
5. Knowledge of equipment common to the trade, i.e., front-end alignment and wheel balancing equipment, turning and grinding equipment for servicing brake drums and discs or rotor assemblies, and drilling and pressure bleeding devices.
6. Skill in handling controls for starting, stopping, backing, and driving forklift trucks through narrow aisles in buildings, up and down ramps, and in and out of railroad cars, trucks, planes, etc.
7. Skill in lifting, lowering, and tilting forks by moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate controls.
8. Skill in using measuring instruments and test equipment such as test lamps, timing lights, multimeters, swell meters, engine analyzers, dynamometers, exhaust analyzers, vacuum and fuel pump testers, injector testers, ignition timers, tachometers, ammeters, and ohmmeters.
9. Skill in troubleshooting mechanical problems, analyzing malfunctions, and determining the extent of repairs necessary.
10. Skill in using basic tools common to the occupation, i.e., wrenches, screwdrivers, insulated pliers, electric drills, pneumatic wrenches, and soldering irons.
11. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul, repair, and modify a variety of heavy mobile vehicles and equipment without more than normal supervision.
12. Ability to maintain and repair combustion-powered automotive vehicles, electric-powered vehicles and equipment, towed vehicles and equipment, over-the-road trucks, and comparable vehicles without more than normal supervision.
13. Ability to interpret instructions, technical manuals, illustrations, specifications, diagrams, schematics, and similar guides to make repairs and modifications.
14. Ability to use and maintain hand and/or power tools and equipment required to do the work of heavy mobile equipment mechanic.


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

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

"This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!"

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

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.

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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