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SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT/PAINTER)

Department of the Air Force
Air Mobility Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to plan, lay out, fabricate, modify, repair, assemble, and install complex aircraft Sheet metal parts, items, and assemblies that have combined straight and curved edges of irregular curves and planes; and perform the full range of painting, including surface preparation, blending and matching paints, and coating of various surfaces

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/29/2025 to 11/20/2025
Salary
$81,643 to - $95,105 per year

$39.12 $45.57 / per hour

Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Travis AFB, CA
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
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
5X-AFPC-12806034-987485-PG
Control number
846799000

Duties

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- Plans and lays out work from blueprints, sketches, drawings, specifications, and work orders in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal structures which have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves.
- Examines aircraft sheet metal structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets.
- Prepares various surfaces of interior and exterior aircraft sheet metal structures by mechanically and chemically removing old paint and rust, filling cracks, sanding, and applying fillers and base coats.
- Uses and maintains tools.
- Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a 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
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • May be required to be certified for working with and/or removing hazardous materials.
  • May be required to work shifts or uncommon tours of duty. Subject to call back to meet emergency situations.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.
  • Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
  • The physical requirements of this position as determined by the manager are: Work encompasses strenuous physical exertion when bending and shaping the more complex items in handling larger and bulkier items.
  • Physical exertion is moderate and includes prolonged standing; climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding; working in cramped and awkward positions while installing items; and reaching, lifting, and bending while using hand and powered tools.
  • Weight lifted seldom exceeds 50 pounds.
  • This position has a Limited Area of Consideration and is ONLY open to all Air Mobility Command-wide (AMC) Internal applicants (all AMC installations/organizations/personnel).

Qualifications

This position has a Limited Area of Consideration and is ONLY open to all Air Mobility Command-wide (AMC) Internal applicants (all AMC installations/organizations/personnel).

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-3800, Metal Work Group, Sheet Metal Mechanic. 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.

The screen out element for this position is the 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:

1. Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of any metals used in the trade, e.g., stainless steel, magnesium, and alloys; of advanced shop mathematics and principles of radial-line development combined with parallel-line development to calculate and devise patterns involving combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves, angles, and planes; and of a wide range of trade practices, accepted surface preparation and coating methods, and paints and thinning additives.
2.Knowledge of safety and environmental standards, regulations, and requirements.
3.Skill in planning, laying out work in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal parts and components that have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves; in using complicated measuring instruments such as protractors, calipers, snap ring, height, depth, dial, and screw pitch gauges; and other hand measuring devices; in selecting and applying the proper coating materials for a variety of sheet metal surfaces of aircraft; and in using a wide variety of hand and power tools such as crimping, burring, turning, and bending machines, and soldering and welding machines; and painting tools such as brushes, rollers, spray guns, graining devices, viscosity tester, thickness gauges, and compressors.
4.Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical specifications.
5.Ability to examine aircraft sheet metal structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets and determine the type and extent of repairs needed to restore original strength; and to make repairs by manufacturing and installing new parts and reinforcing, patching, and replacing defective parts.
6.Ability to use computer terminals to maintain records and document actions.

Physical Effort: Work encompasses strenuous physical exertion when bending and shaping the more complex items in handling larger and bulkier items. Physical exertion is moderate and includes prolonged standing; climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding; working in cramped and awkward positions while installing items; and reaching, lifting, and bending while using hand and powered tools. Weight lifted seldom exceeds 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Works both inside and outside and is subjected to a moderate amount of noise and vibration from shop machines and to a variety of weather conditions. Subject to cuts, bruises, falls, and burns. Required to wear safety glasses when performing eye hazardous operations.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience relates to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements.

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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