About This Position
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, MS.
Qualifications
To qualify for the Bindery Machine Operator, KB-4402-00, applicants must meet the following Screen-Out Element: Job Element #1: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. To qualify for the position, you must meet the following requirements: Experience and/or interest for learning skills as a Production Technician without more than normal supervision. Ability to follow simple directions. Ability to work safely. Dexterity, reliability, and dependability. Basic knowledge of mathematics (i.e. decimals, metric units) to understand dimensional requirements contained in job orders and to make adjustments as needed. 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 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. 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. 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 December 28, 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 a standing register of qualified candidates and refer for consideration when vacancies occur. Applications will be reviewed and referred for selection as vacancies occur within the Business Unit. The initial cut off for the referral list is January 27, 2026, 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: 01/27/2026 or when 100 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first. 2nd Cut-off: 04/28/2026 or when 200 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first. 3rd Cut-off: 07/28/2026 or when 300 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first. 4th Cut-off: 10/27/2026 or when 400 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first. Final Closing date: 12/29/2026 ****ONCE ALL SELECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE CLOSED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE*****
Major Duties
Assist in starting equipment via touch screen, adjust and help operate a variety of automatic bindery machines containing multiple functions and station capabilities.
Assist 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.
Learn to enter data to select the type of product run that scans the materials 4-5 times a day, using a hand scanner, scans bar codes when the machine stops any reason (machine jam, lunch, break, change material, etc.).
Assist in making needed adjustments to coordinate the multiple workstations on a single machine.
Observe 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.
Assist 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.
Learn to enter data to select the type of product run that scans the materials 4-5 times a day, using a hand scanner, scans bar codes when the machine stops any reason (machine jam, lunch, break, change material, etc.).
Assist in making needed adjustments to coordinate the multiple workstations on a single machine.
Observe 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.
Education
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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 (Screen-out) Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc. Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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.
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 Security 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. 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 the Weekend Shift: Work Hours are (3/12-hour shifts, Friday-Sunday) 6:00am - 6:30pm. Additional vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes 1) your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire, 2) your resume and 3) any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the required documents section). Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin. Resume Requirements: Resumes are limited to two (2) pages Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position. Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position): Short summary of position duties Accomplishments while in the position Results of those accomplishments Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable. Illegible Information and/or Documents If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Capital Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position. Last Document Uploaded If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, GPO will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered. Print a copy of the occupational questionnaire so that you can read and review the questions before submitting your online responses. Click here to view the Occupational Questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12857820 The completed online Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/29/2026. - To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. - Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. - After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. - You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account http://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Required Documents
In addition to your responses to the questionnaire and your resume, you must submit the following additional documents specific for this vacancy: Content of Resume: Your resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position. To assist you in sending in a complete resume, use our checklist at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal positions, those eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) 0pt, on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference. For Competitive Applicants/U.S. Citizens: 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. DD-214: If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other equivalent documentation to prove your entitlement and to verify your type of discharge. Failure to provide this information may result in your application not receiving preference. VA Letter and SF-15: If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement as described above; and SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference. (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans' preference in federal hiring) Active-Duty Service Members: If you are veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veteran Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Agencies are required to accept, process, and grant tentative veterans' preference to those active-duty service members who submit a certification (in lieu of a DD-214) along with their job application materials. Agencies must verify the individual meets the definition of 'preference eligible' under 5 U.S.C. 2108 prior to appointment. A '"certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. NOTE: If you provide a certification at the time of application, your preference eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. More information may be found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/. All application materials must be received by 12/29/2026 to be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Bindery Machine Operator position at Government Publishing Office?
The salary range for this position is $41 - $41/hr. This is a KB-2 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Bindery Machine Operator job located?
This position is located in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
To qualify for the Bindery Machine Operator, KB-4402-00, applicants must meet the following Screen-Out Element: Job Element #1: Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. To qualify for the position, you must meet the following requirements: Experience and/or interest for learning skills as a Production Technici...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Dec 29, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What does KB-2 mean?
KB-2 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.