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BRAKER-SWITCHER HELPER

Department of the Navy
United States Fleet Forces Command

Summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

WG-5: $26.62 to $31.07 Per Hour
WG-7: $29.96 to $34.95 Per Hour

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/18/2026 to 02/27/2026
Salary
$26.62 to - $34.95 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 5 - 7
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Colts Neck, NJ
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
9
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 - This is a bargaining unit position.
Announcement number
DE-12889743-26-MLV
Control number
857737100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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  • You will serve as a BRAKER-SWITCHER HELPER in the Railroad Operation Division NMCLANT Detachment Earle of NMCLANT DET EARLE NJ.
  • You will assist with receiving and relaying hand signals for train movement, coupling and uncoupling cars, throwing switches to shunt cars and/or locomotives into different tracks for spotting or making up trains.
  • You will assist with setting brakes, placing blocks against wheels on spotted rail cars, stopping motor vehicle traffic at crossings, and flagging train across.
  • You will follow standard safety, signaling and train movement procedures.
  • You will assist with inspections of flat car decking for unsafe conditions.
  • You will watch over assigned area(s) and equipment, and check continually for operating hazards, malfunctioning or defective equipment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current valid United States driver’s license.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final Secret security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. You will be required to sign a DD-Form-2760, Qualification to possess firearms or ammunition.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • You will be required to wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators and safety shoes continuously for the duration of the work shift.
  • This position may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays to meet mission requirements.
  • You will be required to exercise considerable physical ability to pull, lift and turn various braking, switching and coupling devices (e.g. draw bars) and be able to move in lift arms and devices in order to give signals.
  • May be required to lift up to 50 pounds or put forth similar effort in pushing and removing obstacles from the rail trackage.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must 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 quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below.

This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. The Screen-out Element for this position is: Ability to do the work of a Braker-Switcher WG-5736-07 without more than normal supervision such as:

  • Performing braking and switching duties, (i.e. receiving and relaying hand signals for train movements; coupling and uncoupling railcars; throwing switching to shunt railcars and/or locomotives; setting brakes, placing blocks against wheels, etc…);
  • Discerning if track switches are properly set regarding approaching trains and/or change those that are not to include resetting the switches after the train or railcar passes as/if necessary;
  • Utilizing industry signaling and/or communication mechanism (i.e. give, pass, or respond to all required sound, sign, hand, light, switch, color and lanterns signals for both normal and emergency conditions, etc…).
This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. The Screen-out Element for this position is: Ability to do the work of a Braker-Switcher Helper, WG-5736-05 without more than normal supervision such as:
  • Maintaining constant required watch over an assigned area and equipment;
  • Notifying senior personnel of problems, potential problems (i.e. use of radio communication); and
  • Receiving general directions from senior personnel.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=WG-3500.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C). Additional qualification information can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/tabindx.asp.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.

Additional information

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Several vacancies may be filled.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.

Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.

If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

Train crew member uses considerable physical ability and effort in pushing, pulling, lifting, positioning and turning various braking, switching and coupling devices (e.g. draw bars): moving and lifting arms and devices to give signals; walking over rails and ties and running (over safe areas) to perform tasks; slippery steps, rungs and grad irons.

Work is conducted outdoors, and position is exposed to all seasonal weather elements. During winter months, locomotives and railcars accumulate ice and snow on steps and ladders of cars, making it hazardous when climbing on and off inert/stationary and mobile trains.

Position will also be required to walk over rails and ties and run (when required and safe to do so) in order to perform assigned tasks.

Train crew members must wear protective clothing, such as bump caps, safety shoes, safety glasses and gloves.

Position will also be required to walk over rails and ties and run (when required and safe to do so) in order to perform assigned tasks.

The incumbent will be frequently exposed to conditions such as: loud noise from operating trains, train whistles, horns, fumes and odors such as diesel exhaust and creosote.

You will be required to exercise considerable physical ability to pull, lift and turn various braking, switching and coupling devices (e.g. draw bars) and be able to move in lift arms and devices in order to give signals.

May be required to lift up to 50 pounds or put forth similar effort in pushing and removing obstacles from the rail trackage.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

For WG: 07 - You will be required to pass all required testing, including a written test per Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and be able to obtain and maintain a Braker Switcher Certification from NMCLANT Det Earle's Job Qualification Requirements (JQR).

For GS-09: You will be required to pass all required testing, including written tests per NAVSUP P301 and in addition must obtain an Explosive Qualification Certifications (Locomotive Engineer Explosives Qualification Certification), form the NMC CED Det Earle's Qualification Certification Board.

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.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.

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