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Bindery Machine Operator (Production Technician)

Legislative Branch
Government Publishing Office
Government Secure and Intelligent Documents
This job announcement has closed

Summary

GPO employees possess a diverse array of talent in many administrative fields and trades. We provide other agencies with innovative services for the printing, publishing, storage, and distribution of digital content. If you are an energetic, inventive individual looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career opportunity, GPO may be the place for you.

This position is part of the Government Secure and Intelligent Documents, Government Publishing Office in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/15/2025 to 07/10/2025
This job will close when we have received 400 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$40.71 to - $40.71 per hour
Pay scale & grade
KB 2
Location
8 vacancies in the following location:
Stennis Space Center, MS
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
25-12722868-DE-KK
Control number
835223500

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Duties

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  • Assists in starting equipment via touch screen, adjusts and help operate a variety of automatic bindery machines containing multiple functions and station capabilities.
  • Assists in combining electro-mechanically with other equipment and devices to produce a complete bindery and finishing unit that processes printed sheets into final books, catalogs, manuals, directories, magazines or other completed products
  • Assists in making needed adjustments to coordinate the multiple workstations on a single machine.
  • Observes how to interpret job orders, which may be for one-of-a-kind materials; documents how to plan bindery operations utilizing the most efficient procedures and methods to meet job requirements to complete a combined finishing operation.
  • Shadows Bindery Operators in inspecting the work-in-process throughout the manufacturing process of U.S. Passports, Passport related components, Smart Cards, and Smart Card related components.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • Selectee must pass all preemployment requirements prior to appointment.
  • Selectee must undergo a background investigations for a secret clearance.
  • Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
  • Selectee must obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
  • Selectee must pass a physical examination prior to appointment.
  • Physical - Effort: Duties require prolonged standing, walking, stooping, bending, stretching, reaching above the shoulder, and climbing. A moderate amount of hand, wrist, and arm movements is involved.
  • Physical - Effort: Duties require Moderate lifting is required for objects weighing up to 80 pounds. Incumbent is required to have good eye-hand coordination and proficient vision.
  • Working Conditions: Duties are performed in a well-lighted, heated and ventilated area.
  • Working Conditions: The incumbent is exposed to low frequency noise generated by bindery equipment. The work is performed indoors, with no exposure to excessive heat or cold.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Bindery Machine Operator (Production Technician), you must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must meet the following Screen-Out element, SCREEN OUT ELEMENT #1: Ability to do the work of a Bindery Machine Operator (Production Technician) without more than normal supervision. Examples of experience needed include: 1) Experience and/or interest for learning skills as an Production Technician without more than normal supervision, 2) The ability to follow simple directions, 3) ability to work safely, 4) dexterity, reliability and dependability, 5) basic knowledge of mathematics (i.e. decimals, metric units) to understand dimensional requirements contained in job orders and to make adjustments as needed; and 6) ability to use Personal Computers(PCs), desktops or laptops for common applications, such as: spreadsheet programs, databases, and word processing.

In addition to meeting the above Screen-Out Element, qualification hurdle assessments will be conducted prior to selection to measure the following aptitudes:

  • Mechanical Principles
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Basic Computing Skills

This an entry level recruitment for Year 1 operators only.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement to be considered.

This Open Continuous announcement allows acceptance of applications through the closing date of April 14, 2026, or until 400 applications have been received or all positions have been filled whichever occurs first.

The intent of this announcement is to establish an inventory of qualified candidates to refer for consideration when vacancies occur. Applicants that self-assess as qualified and that meet the eligibility requirements will then be further evaluated by completing a series of progressive hurdle assessments. Assessments that may include online assessments, work sample assessments, and/or interviews. Each assessment has a pre-determined cut score which must be achieved or exceeded to be "best qualified (BQ) and advance to the next assessment." Upon completion of all required hurdle assessments, applicants will be referred to the selecting official for consideration after their resume has been reviewed for qualifications and found qualified by the staffing specialist.
The first cut-off date for receipt/referral of applications to be considered for current vacancies will be April 28, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize their employment opportunities. Subsequent cut-offs will be midnight on the dates below. Applications received after these cutoff dates may be considered on future requests to fill vacancies. Your application will remain in the inventory of tentatively qualified applicants. The announcement may be closed earlier or extended without further notice. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period.


Applications will be reviewed and referred for selection as vacancies occur within the Business Unit. The initial cut off for the referral list is April 28, 2025 or until 100 applicants are within reach. The remaining cut-off dates are listed below. Eligible applications Additional application cut-off dates are as follows:
  • 1st Cut-off: 04/28/2025 or when 100 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • 2nd Cut-off: 07/28/2025 or when 200 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • 3rd Cut-off: 10/28/2025 or when 300 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • 4th Cut-off: 1/28/2026 or when 400 applicants have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • Final Closing date: 04/14/2026
****ONCE ALL SELECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE CLOSED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.*****

Education

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

Additional information

Employment of Relatives
Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302

Work Life Balance:
The GPO offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.).

Background Investigation:
To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the GPO requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation for a secret clearance. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Depending on the type of background investigation required, the security process may take between 6 weeks to 12 months.

The Agency may rescind the tentative offer if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance.

Schedule A (Disability Appointment):
Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a "medical professional's" letterhead and signed.

Reasonable Accommodation:
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process you must contact the HC Specialist on the vacancy announcement at least seven business days before the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The selectee will work either: Shift 1 (4/10 hour days, Monday-Thursday) 7:00am - 5:15pm and Shift 3 (4/10 hour nights, Monday-Thursday) 9:00pm - 7:15am.

Additional vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire and supporting documents. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be excluded from further consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Job Element # 6 Operation of variety of automatic bindery machines containing multiple functions and station capabilities
  • Job Element #25-E Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Job Element #60 Use of Measuring Instruments
  • Job Element #82-A-Knowledge of Materials


We DO NOT require a separate narrative statement responding to the competencies, however your resume should CLEARLY show possession of these competencies.

If you meet the qualification requirements listed above, your application will be rated based on your online questionnaire and supporting documents. Your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review..

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