Helper Machine Operator Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

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 Government Secure and Intelligent Documents, Government Publishing Office in Washington, DC.
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Duties
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• Complete bindery jobs by setting up and operating one or more powered, semi- and fully automatic bindery machines, and assisting with the activities of the Bindery Machine Operators assigned to the machine.
• Assists in starting equipment via touch screen, adjusts and helps 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.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• Selectee must pass all preemployment requirements prior to appointment.
• Selectee must obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
• Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Selectees must pass a physical examination prior to appointment.
• Strength test may be required.
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report is required.
• Physical Effort: This level of effort involves having to continually lift, carry, or otherwise handle printed materials and paper stock weighing up to 10 pounds. May be required to handle/materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Physical Effort: Work involves standing for prolonged periods while operating or monitoring bindery machines. Frequent stooping, bending, and reaching to make machine adjustments, remove mis-routed materials, and other operational activities.
• Working Conditions: Duties are performed in a production environment that is well lit, heated, and ventilated. The area is exposed to low-frequency noise generated by Production equipment.
• Working Conditions: Occasionally exposed to low and high frequency noise generated by adjacent machine operations and vibrations during peak production periods.
• Working Conditions: Operators are also exposed to the possibility of minor cuts from paper materials and more serious injuries such as broken bones and severe bruises or lacerations from high-speed machine operations.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, you must meet the following requirements: Applicants must have experience and/or training of sufficient scope and quality to independently perform the duties typically required of a Bindery Machine Operator.
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 be considered for this position. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the online questionnaire. If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT below is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. The screen-out element for this position is:

1. Experience and/or interest for learning skills as a Production Technician without more than normal supervision.
2. Ability to follow simple directions.
3. Ability to work safely.
4. Dexterity, reliability, and dependability.
5. Basic knowledge of mathematics (i.e. decimals, metric units) to understand dimensional requirements contained in job orders and to make adjustments as needed.
6. Ability to use Personal Computers (PCs), desktops or laptops for common applications, such as spreadsheet programs, databases, and word processing.

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 (08/10/2026) to be considered.
Education
Substitution of education in lieu of 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 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 Shift 1, 2 or 3. Four (4)-10 hour shifts.
Shift Hours:
1st shift: Monday- Thursday 6:00 am-4:30 pm.
2nd shift: Monday - Thursday 5:00 pm-3:30 am.
3rd shift: Monday- Thursday 8:00 pm-6:30 am.
Additional vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
This position is considered Essential Personnel: Incumbent will be expected to report to work during times of inclement weather.
Overtime, shift, weekend, and holiday work may be required.
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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
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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.
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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.