Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
Salary Range: $87550 - $101992 Per Year
Job 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 manufacture complex and non-routine parts and items of equipment from raw stock of different metals and metal alloys through the use of conventional and/or computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools involving unusual trade problems and requiring a high degree of ingenuity and responsibility.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: 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-3400, Machine Tool Work Group. 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 a MACHINIST (WELDER) 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 a variety of conventional and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools such as lathes, vertical, and horizontal boring mills; bench, plain, and universal milling machines; shapers; planers; internal and external grinders, thread cutters, and radial drills; and a variety of machine tool attachments such as rotary vises, magnetic chucks, vertical milling heads, angular drive heads, taper attachments, rotary tables, and others. 2\. Knowledge of various metals and other materials such as aluminum, brass, bronze, high carbon and alloy steels, chrome, nickel, titanium, nylon, rubber, plastics and teflons, and of the effect and relationship of heat treating, annealing, plating, welding and other related work processes on machining operations in completing an assignment. 3\. Knowledge of advanced shop mathematics including plane geometry, the use of trigonometric functions and machinist handbook formulas used in laying out work and setting up machine tools, and of blueprints and their interpretation, program readouts and technical directives, the use of shop mathematics, and shop floor programming. 4\. Knowledge of a wide range of welding principles, processes, and difficult techniques; and of welding standards and how various metals and metal alloys react to different welding processes and techniques used on parts and items on vehicles and all related support equipment. Ability to weld dissimilar metals including parts and structures that vary in size, shape, and thickness. 5\. Knowledge of safety regulations, practices, and procedures and skill in using and maintaining hand tools, power tools, and special jigs and fixtures. Skill in operating CNC machine tools through one complete cycle to manufacture the first part, proof dimensions, check sufficiency of programming, tooling, fixturing, and machine operations, edit programs and make the normal changes required; and recommend changes to programs on deficiencies noted; and in the use of precision measuring instruments and equipment such as vernier calipers; height gauges; squares; protractors; inside, outside, and depth micrometers; surface gauges; vee blocks; parallel bars; internal and external micrometers, vernier height and depth gauges, indicators, scales, and various standard and preset snap, plug, or ring gauges. 6\. Skill in using conventional machine tools and their attachments to perform machining processes requiring special adaptation of the equipment or for manufacturing, modifying, and repairing tools, parts, and complete items of equipment for vehicles and all related support equipment, using equipment and processes for which they were not specifically designed; and in using special or improvised tools, fixtures, and setups to machine surfaces configurations such as curved surfaces requiring machine feeds in different planes simultaneously, surfaces having closely interrelated dimensions, or surfaces having unusual or compound angular relationships. 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. PHYSICAL EFFORT: The work requires standing, stooping, kneeling, climbing, bending, and reaching. Often required to work in hard-to-reach areas on vehicles and equipment. Frequently handles, lifts, and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lifts and moves heavier items with assistance. WORKING CONDITIONS: Machining work is performed primarily inside in areas that are usually noisy and dirty, and where there is constant danger to the skin and eyes from flying metal chips and abrasive particles; skin irritation from contact with coolants, lubricants, and abrasive compounds; and danger to fingers, hands, and other body parts from cutting tools, grinding wheels, rotating pieces, and moving parts of machines. Welding work is performed primary inside in areas that are noisy, dirty, and smoky. There is exposure to fumes, heat, flying sparks, the glare of torches, ultraviolet radiation, and hot materials. There is the possibility of eye injury, electrical shock, burns, broken bones, and the chance of injury when working with sharp objects. There is discomfort when wearing protective clothing, gloves, shoes, flash shield or eye goggles and other equipment as required. Both duties will require outside work, sometimes in bad weather. Both duties also require working at heights over four feet when working on top of vehicles and equipment.
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/24/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12913118 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-24