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Materials Handler

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Office of Facilities and Property Management

Summary

NIST's Office of Facilities and Property Management is seeking Materials Handlers to support the safe and efficient movement of supplies, equipment, and hazardous materials across campus facilities. This role is essential to maintaining mission-critical operations by ensuring laboratories, programs, and staff receive the materials and equipment needed to conduct research, maintain infrastructure, and support NIST's scientific and technological mission.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/10/2026 to 03/23/2026
Salary
$29.02 to - $33.82 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 7
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Gaithersburg, MD
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
7
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
OFPM-192-26-12905273-AS
Control number
860401100

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

Duties

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In this position, you will:

- Receive, inspect, and store incoming materials, verify quantities and descriptions against shipping documents, and place items in designated storage
locations.
- Pick, pack, and prepare orders for shipment, selecting appropriate packing materials and methods based on product specifications and customer requirements.
- Operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, to move, stack, and stage materials within the warehouse.
- Drive trucks and vans, including vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 33,000 pounds, to deliver and pick up materials at various locations.
- Load and secure cargo on trucks using proper techniques and equipment to prevent damage and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Handle hazardous materials, such as chemicals and gases, following established safety protocols for storage, packing, and transportation.
- Maintain accurate inventory records, conduct physical counts, and investigate and report discrepancies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination)
  • Must possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License in good standing
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required)
  • Must be able to obtain endorsement for vehicles used in transporting hazardous materials within 90 days of onboarding
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes - Washington Area Metal Trade's Council (WAMTC, AFL-CIO)

Qualifications

All applicants must submit a resume NOT TO EXCEED two pages on standard-size paper. If the resume exceeds two pages, only the first two pages will be reviewed for qualifications or assessment determinations.

There are no specific length or level of experience requirements. The applicant's overall background of experience, education, and training must clearly demonstrate the ability to perform materials handler duties, such as managing and maintaining inventory levels, operating material handling equipment, and conducting physical inventory checks without more than normal supervision.

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher

AND

CDL (Screen-out) A valid Class B Commercial Driver's License is required for this position.

NOTE: We cannot accept photographs; therefore, please do
not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued Commercial Driver's License.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trade and Labor Occupations Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Additional information

This position is covered by the Federal Wage System. The FWS is a uniform pay-setting system that covers Federal appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund blue-collar employees who are paid by the hour. For more information regarding the FWS, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/wage/.

  • We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY in order to be considered for this position.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible in order to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:- your performance and conduct;- the needs and interests of the agency;- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

    Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to:

  • Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over

  • Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over

  • Straight pulling

  • Pushing

  • Reaching above shoulder

  • Use of fingers

  • Both hands required

  • Walking (4-6 hours)

  • Standing (4-6 hours)

  • Kneeling (2 hours)

  • Repeated bending (4-6 hours)

  • Both legs required

  • Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle

  • Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously

  • Depth perception

  • Ability to distinguish basic colors

  • Ability to distinguish shades of colors

  • Hearing (aid may be permitted)


This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to:

  • Constant noise

  • Dust

  • Silica, asbestos, etc.

  • Fumes, smoke, or gases

  • Solvents (degreasing agents)

  • Grease and oils

  • Electrical energy

  • Slippery or uneven walking surfaces

  • Working around moving objects or vehicles

  • Explosives

  • Vibration

  • Working closely with others

  • Working alone

  • Protracted or irregular hours of work


This position requires the passing of a drug test

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.

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision

Applicants must meet the screen out elements and achieve an overall score of at least fifty (50%) or higher. Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12905273

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

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