This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of February 15, 2026. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information. See below for important information regarding this job.
To qualify for Rigger (Crane Operator), your resume and supporting documentation must support: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standard for Trades and Labor Occupations. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required, 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 at the level for which you are applying. Emphasis is placed on how you gained the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time, and the required ability or potential to perform the job. Applicants who do not meet the screen-out element (SOE) will be eliminated from further competition. The SOE and minimum qualifications for this position is: Ability to do the work of a Rigger (Crane Operator) without more than normal supervision (SOE): perform the common tasks of the job to be filled but under close supervision, such as: following directions from journeyman rigger while operating material handling equipment (MHE) such as fork lifts; taking directions from journeyman rigger; performing minor preventive maintenance (PM) on IPE and rigging equipment such as jacks and steel rollers. 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. Physical Effort: Frequently lifts and carries moderately heavy objects such as cables, chain falls, and jacks. Reaches, bends, stoops, pushes, pulls, walks, climbs, and uses full body weight in assembling/maneuvering rigging configurations. Works in cramped and awkward positions while installing rigging in confined areas. Uses entire body weight to push or pull suspended loads while moving objects into the required positions. Stands and walks for prolonged periods. Working Conditions: Works both indoors and outdoors under all weather conditions. Exposed to cuts, bruises, broken bones, falls and serious injury from components and equipment handled, as well as lifting and handling gear. Frequently works in confined quarters and at extreme heights where risks of the above injuries are greatly increased. Required to wear safety equipment such as hard hat, steel toe safety shoes and gloves when working under cranes and suspended load. Also required to wear eye and hearing protection when working in areas designated as hazardous. Performs CONUS and OCONUS TDY assignments.
If selected at the WG-08 level, the below responsibilities will be performed in a developmental capacity.
Provides rigging and crane support for the organization which has as its primary mission the repair, rebuild, and manufacture of machine tools and industrial plant equipment.
Designs, organizes, assembles, repairs and installs complex lifting and handling configurations used to move machine tools, industrial equipment and their heavy components.
In addition to cranes, uses combinations of snatch blocks, chain falls, come-along, dynamometers, tackle blocks, gin poles, coffin hoists, hydraulic jacks and steel rollers to install/remove components in critically fitting shipping storage frames.
Moves expensive, large and heavy objects through doors and down aisles where tolerances are extremely tight.
Operates bridge cranes of 5 to 10 ton capacity and material handling equipment up to 87,000 pounds capacity.
Performs mechanical duties, under close supervision of journeymen mechanics, to include the disassembly/assembly of minor machine sub-components.