Federal
Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic (Forklift Operator) Leader-Direct Hire Authority
Air Force Materiel Command · Department of the Air Force
About This Position
Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information. The primary purpose of this position is to lead a team of trades, workers in installation, modification, troubleshooting, maintenance, & repair of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile equipment; with utility systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, features, for construction, combat, earth moving, firefighting, refueling, industrial or special applications.
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-5800 Transportation/Mobile Equipment Maintenance Family. 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. IDEAL CANDIDATE: Knowledge of various techniques for removing, replacing, cleaning, and installing a variety of parts, components, and accessories such as filters, radiators, engine thermostats, wheel cylinders, universal joints, wheel bearings, springs, shock absorbers, mufflers, components of heating and air conditioning. systems, brake components, catalytic converters, clutch assemblies, carburetors, and suspension components such as lower control arms, struts, constant velocity joints (CV Joints), and stabilizer arms. Ability to trace and locate defects which cause hydraulic and other major systems to fail or not perform up to specifications. Must be able to analyze malfunctions and determine the extent of repairs necessary by visual and auditory examinations and by use of a wide variety of test equipment such as engine analyzers, injector testers, micrometers, calipers, dial indicators. Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical. The screen out element for this position is 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: Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments Ability To Lead Or Supervise Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (Includes blueprint reading) Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Trouble shooting KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 1. Ability to lead three or more other workers to accomplish maintenance and repair of heavy mobile equipment. 2. Knowledge of heavy mobile equipment assembly, installation, and repair, i.e., bulldozers, road graders, power shovels, mobile cranes, heavy combat equipment, and missile transporters. 3. Knowledge of technical practices in order to repair/overhaul major systems (i.e., diesel, multi-fuel, and gasoline engines, automatic and manual transmissions, multi-gear assemblies, and a variety of positioning systems) and to remove, replace, clean, and ir1stall a variety of parts, components, and accessories (i.e., wheel cylinders, universal joints, springs, shock absorbers, catalytic converters, clutch assemblies, mufflers, etc.). 4. Knowledge of safety regulations, procedures, and policies to include environmental directives pertaining to handling hazardous materials. 5. Knowledge of equipment common to the trade, i.e., front-end alignment and wheel balancing equipment, turning and grinding equipment for servicing brake drums and discs or rotor assemblies, and drilling and pressure bleeding devices. 6. Skill in handling controls for starting, stopping, backing, and driving forklift trucks through narrow aisles in buildings, up and down ramps, and in and out of railroad cars, trucks, planes, etc. 7. Skill in lifting, lowering, and tilting forks by moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate controls. 8. Skill in using measuring instruments and test equipment such as test lamps, timing lights, multimeters, swell meters, engine analyzers, dynamometers, exhaust analyzers, vacuum and fuel pump testers, injector testers, ignition timers, tachometers, ammeters, and ohmmeters. 9. Skill in troubleshooting mechanical problems, analyzing malfunctions, and determining the extent of repairs necessary. 10. Skill in using basic tools common to the occupation, i.e., wrenches, screwdrivers, insulated pliers, electric drills, pneumatic wrenches, and soldering irons. 11. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul, repair, and modify a variety of heavy mobile vehicles and equipment without more than normal supervision. 12. Ability to maintain and repair combustion-powered automotive vehicles, electric-powered vehicles and equipment, towed vehicles and equipment, over-the-road trucks, and comparable vehicles without more than normal supervision. 13. Ability to interpret instructions, technical manuals, illustrations, specifications, diagrams, schematics, and similar guides to make repairs and modifications. 14. Ability to use and maintain hand and/or power tools and equipment required to do the work of heavy mobile equipment mechanic. 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.
Major Duties
Leads teams of vehicle maintenance personnel to effectively and efficiently accomplish the work of a team of multi-craft extended personnel performing predominantly Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic duties. Troubleshoots hard-to-locate problems, identifies defects and causes of mechanical problems to determine type and extent of necessary repairs to a variety of heavy mobile vehicles and equipment. Repairs, overhauls, and rebuilds a variety of heavy mobile equipmen/vehicles such as bulldozers, road graders, power shovels, mobile cranes, heavy combat equipment, and missile transporters, including their major systems, i.e., diesel, multi-fuel, and gasoline engines (including supercharged and turbocharged), automatic/manual transmissions, multi-gear assemblies, and a variety of positioning systems. Makes repairs to passenger vehicles that can be accomplished by removing, replacing, adjusting, and cleaning defective parts or components such as spark plugs, fan belts, generators, starters, carburetors, fuel and water pumps, mufflers, tail pipes, wheel bearings, brakes, radiators, engine components, and heating and cooling devices. Performs scheduled and unscheduled preventive maintenance on vehicles to restore automotive equipment to a serviceable condition. Conducts functional and performance tests using a wide variety of test procedures and equipment on completed work assignments. Operates one or more electric, LPG, or diesel powered fork lift trucks which are capable of lifting loads of less than 10,000 pounds as high as 168 inches to facilitate loading and unloading duties. Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains safe and clean work environment.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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. 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.
Additional Information
This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection. "This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!" Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/21/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12882888 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. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s). 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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic (Forklift Operator) Leader-Direct Hire Authority position at Air Force Materiel Command?
The salary range for this position is $37 - $44/hr. This is a WL-10 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic (Forklift Operator) Leader-Direct Hire Authority job located?
This position is located in Edwards AFB, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
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-5800 Transportation/Mobile Equipment Maintenance Family...
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 Feb 21, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What does WL-10 mean?
WL-10 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.