Explosives Worker (Materials Handler) Job in McAlester, OK

Vacancy No. MCGL-26-12821465-DHA Department U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command
Salary $20.38 to $23.76 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/22/2025 Close Date 11/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
McAlester, OK


Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facilities & the Major Range and Test Facilities Base to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position serves as a Explosives Worker (Materials Handler), operates automatic machines and performs hand assembly operations in a production line environment.

Duties

  • Operate automatic machines such as a vacuum machine to draw off powder charges or a pull- apart machine to break down fixed cartridge ammunition for reloading or demilitarization.
  • Know the cycle of operation of automatic machines and the sequence of hand procedures to load, operate, and unload a hydraulic defusing machine.
  • Operate a vacuum unit to draw off powder from explosives containers, exercise knowledge of munitions to prevent or to neutralize powder spills and assure all powder has been removed from in order to completely neutralize the item.
  • Handle the fuse and fused projectile safety and quickly, load and operate the machine, and observe the machine for indications of malfunction.
  • Receive, stow, issue and rewarehouse ammunition (live and inert) and its components.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position meets the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening and random testing.
  • This position is a Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban commonly referred to as Lautenberg Amendment. This act bans individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and certain others from possession or access to firearms or ammunition.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position requires you to obtain and maintain an Arms, Ammunition and Explosives Security Certification and Screening.
  • The incumbent must complete the introductory course in hazardous waste management within six months of being assigned to these duties and attend annual hazardous waste management refresher course.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Explosives Worker (Materials Handler) ~ without more than normal supervision. Perform repetitive hand operations to assemble or disassemble ammunition or explosives items. I can use common hand tools such as pliers, wrenches, or brushes. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Effort: Position requires you to frequently lift bomb, shell or rocket casings, and powder charges weighing 30 to 40 pounds. Some assignments require lifts of 50 to 60 pounds at a production pace. All lifts over 50 pounds will be assisted with a two person lift or using a mechanical handling equipment lifting device. The two person lift limit is 100 pounds and will only be used for single event, non-routine lifts. May pull or push hand trucks weighing several hundred pounds and work requires walking, bending, reaching, crouching, and long periods of standing or sitting. Endurance and hand-eye coordination are required to work at a set pace and rhythm for long periods.

Working Conditions: Work is usually performed indoors or outdoors in covered areas or passageways which provide some protection. Work areas are usually well lighted and ventilated; however, some operations cause uncomfortable steam or heat. The workers stand on floors made of concrete, lead or conductive composition and are frequently exposed to moisture and wet floors due to cleanup operations. They wear protective clothing such as specially treated coveralls, respirators, and goggles on many assignments. There is exposure to the possibility of explosion and flash fires and chance of injuries ranging from loss of life or limbs or burns, cuts, bruises, sprains, and nausea.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Logistics Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Relocation (Government Home Sale) Expenses are not authorized.
  • This position may require overtime work.
  • This position may require shift work and/or work on rotating shifts to cover work performed on weekends, holidays and/or in other situations.
  • This position may require you to wear personal protective equipment and/or clothing.
  • Current permanent Federal employees (to include permanent Army employees) applying for a Term appointment will be appointed/converted into a Term appointment with no statutory return rights back to a permanent position.
  • Position may be filled as a Term Appointment NTE 1 year 1 day. Term appointments may be extended beyond six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, Term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
  • For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/06/2025 to receive consideration

  • 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 (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12821465).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
  • 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. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
GL-W390AA MCALESTER ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
DO NOT MAIL
McAlester, OK 74501
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


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


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