Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

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Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

1. Work with and assist higher graded model makers in fabricating, constructing, modifying, and repairing specialized hydraulic models, equipment, and instrumentation to support research, laboratory, and field activities.
2. Assist with model layout by grading the model site, establishing horizontal boundaries, setting forms, placing hydraulic structures, and installing numerous model components.
3. Set up and use equipment such as hand tools for wood, metal, and concrete construction and finishing, table saws, band saws, miter saws, radial arm saws, routers, planers, jointers, drill press, breaks, welders, lathes, end mills, punches, and shears.
4. Identify construction materials for use during projects and cut, bend, form, shape, assemble, and install components made from a variety of materials including wood, acrylic, PVC, steel, aluminum, concrete, foams, and plastics.
5. Work with and assist higher graded model makers in the operation of construction equipment such as forklifts, manlifts, hoists, and skid-steers to place base material and concrete grout or other materials between templates and hydraulic components and install scale model components that are fabricated in advance by others. Operation of equipment requires precise maneuvering within limited areas of existing facility space.
6. Assist in maintaining shop and other laboratory equipment, including servicing or arranging for service/repairs of equipment as needed.
7. Support laboratory and field construction and maintenance activities and maintain a safe work environment.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• You must pass a physical examination.
• You may need to complete a statement regarding your physical ability.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/14/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability to do the work of the Position without more than Normal Supervision (SCREENOUT)
2. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
3. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise artistic)
4. Use of Measuring Instruments
5. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes, blueprint reading)
6. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
7. Knowledge of Materials

The screen-out for this position is: experience with hands-on construction using hand tools and power tools for wood, metal, and plastic construction which demonstrates my skill to perform the functions of a Model Maker Worker under close supervision. I have experience in at least two of the following trade functions: heavy carpentry, woodworking, plastic working, metal working.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position.

Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into the following categories:

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position

• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job

• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.
• Knowledge of materials
• Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified, score at least 85 (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Veterans' preference will be based solely on the claimed preference. Your eligibility will not be changed based on the documentation provided. If you are uncertain which preference to claim, you can learn more by visiting the VetGuide.