Bindery Machine Operator (Production Technician) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-12595631-DE-SL Department Government Publishing Office
Salary $39.82 to $39.82 Grade 2 to 2
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/25/2024 Close Date 11/21/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

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 Security and Intelligent Documents, Government Publishing Office in Washington, District of Columbia

Duties

  • Assists in starting equipment via touch screen, adjusts and help operate a variety of automatic bindery machines containing multiple functions and station capabilities.
  • Assists 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.
  • Assists in making needed adjustments to coordinate the multiple workstations on a single machine.
  • Observes 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.
  • Shadows Bindery Operators in inspecting the work-in-process throughout the manufacturing process of U.S. Passports, Passport related components, Smart Cards, and Smart Card related components.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • Selectee must pass all preemployment requirements prior to appointment.
  • Selectee must undergo a background investigation for a secret clearance.
  • Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
  • Selectee must obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
  • Selectees must pass a physical examination prior to appointment.
  • Physical - Effort: Duties require prolonged standing, walking, stooping, bending, stretching, reaching above the shoulder, and climbing. A moderate amount of hand, wrist, and arm movements is involved.
  • Physical - Effort: Duties require Moderate lifting is required for objects weighing up to 80 pounds. Incumbent is required to have good eye-hand coordination and proficient vision.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Bindery Machine Operator (Production Technician), you must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must meet the following Screen-Out element: Job Element #1: to be considered eligible for the position, applicants must have experience and/or training of sufficient scope and quality to independently perform the duties typically required of this position.

These duties require: ability to follow simple directions, ability to work safely, possession of some degree of dexterity and reliability and dependability. Knowledge of basic mathematics (i.e. decimals, metric units) to understand dimensional requirements contained in job orders and to make more complicated adjustments; and ability to use PCs for common applications such as spreadsheet programs, databases, word processing.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (11/21/2025) to be considered.

This Open Continuous announcement allows acceptance of applications through October 24, 2025, or until 300 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 December 28, 2024, 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: 12/28/2024 or when 100 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • 2nd Cut-off: 03/28/2025 or when 200 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • 3rd Cut-off: 06/28/2025 or when 300 applications have been reached, whichever occurs first.
  • Final Closing date: 11/21/2025
****ONCE ALL SELECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE CLOSED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.*****

Education

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

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 Clearnace. 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.

Schedule A (Disability Appointment):
Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on a "medical professional's" letterhead and signed.

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 either:
Shift 1 Work Hours are (4/10 hour days, Monday-Thursday) 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
Shift 2 Work Hours are (4/10 hour nights, Monday - Thursday) 5:00 pm - 3:30 am

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION HOURLY RATE***
Positions are being filled for various shifts at this location (Shifts are determined by Management after selection).

Note: Tour of duty is for 4 10 hour days/Salary years 1-3

  • Shift 1 Work Hours (4/10 hour days, Monday - Thursday) 7:00am - 5:30 pm
  • Shift 2 Work Hours (4/10 hour nights, Monday - Thursday) 5:00 pm - 3:30 am
  • YEAR 1 (85%) of Uprate Bookbinder @ $39.82 per hour
  • YEAR 2 (90%) of Uprate Bookbinder @ $42.17 per hour
  • YEAR 3 (95%) of Uprate Bookbinder @ $43.57 per hour
***Salary for shift 2 will include the 10% night shift differential

Additional vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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
  • Knowledge of Materials
  • Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


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..

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 11/21/2025to be considered.

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 eight (8) 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/12595631

The completed online Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/21/2025.

- 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/.

Agency contact information

Sindy Leon
Address
US Government Publishing Office
732 North Capitol St. NW
Washington, DC 20401
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in our application tracking system and if you have elected to receive email updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered email address. If you have not elected to receive email updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job. This will ensure we can contact you as quickly as possible.

In addition to changing your status online, we will send you email notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or ineligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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