Lead Automotive Technician (20171)

Lead Automotive Technician

United States Postal Service – Virginia District
Dulles VA VMF, 22363 Randolph Dr, Sterling, VA 20166

This job has an exam requirement. Applicants who do not yet have an exam score are currently being invited to take the exam. Examining will continue until capacity has been reached, and the number of applicants invited to take or retake the exam may be limited.

Position Information

• Salary: Starting annual salary $74,422, paid bi-weekly
• Hours: 1500 – 2330 (3:00 PM – 11:30 PM)
• Non-Scheduled Days: Saturday, Sunday
• FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

Functional Purpose

Serves as a working group leader for lower level technicians and mechanics in a vehicle maintenance facility or an auxiliary garage; personally performs the most complex repairs and maintenance on all types of motor vehicles used in the postal fleet; provides work guidance and direction to lower level employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnose operating difficulties on a variety of vehicles and perform operational checks on engines and their major supporting systems, parts, components, and assemblies, including emissions, electrical, computer, and electronically controlled components.
• Perform computerized and electronic diagnostic tests using specialized equipment; interpret trouble codes and data from electronic scanners and test analyzers; use service manuals and wiring schematics to determine operational difficulties and drivability problems and evaluate performance efficiency.
• Conduct road tests before and after maintenance and repairs; annotate vehicle problems on work orders.
• Troubleshoot malfunctioning vehicles resulting from road calls and identify improperly functioning parts.
• Conduct vehicle inspections, determine necessary repairs, annotate estimated repair time (ERT), and assign and schedule work for individual employees or groups engaged in vehicle maintenance.
• Perform maintenance and repairs resulting from normal preventive maintenance inspections.
• Provide technical guidance and instruction to mechanics and technicians on more difficult repairs and on specialized computer-aided diagnostic equipment.
• Maintain, prepare, and update vehicle maintenance records, including repairs, labor hours, and other relevant data.
• Assist in training personnel in vehicle repair and the use of specialized computer-aided diagnostic equipment.
• Observe and monitor compliance with established safety practices and procedures; comply with all postal, local, state, and federal environmental regulations and policies.

Supervision

• Reports to the Manager, Vehicle Maintenance; Supervisor, Vehicle Maintenance; or other designated supervisor.

Requirements (Qualification Standard 5000B, 5823-0004)

Applicants must demonstrate each of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) through examples of experience, education, or training, any of which may be non-postal. Failure to demonstrate any KSA is disqualifying.

• Troubleshooting and diagnosis: Observe, test, analyze, and isolate sources of trouble in automotive systems or components such as electrical/electronic systems, engine, power train, fuel delivery, suspension, and braking systems using appropriate test equipment.
• Automotive test equipment: Knowledge of and proficiency with electrical/electronic diagnostic equipment such as voltage/amperage testers (VAT), multimeters (VOM), test lights, scanners, and gas analyzers.
• Minor and major repairs: Replace parts, make adjustments, and rebuild systems or components such as electrical/ignition, emissions, fuel delivery, engine, suspension, power train, braking, intake, exhaust, and starting aids.
• Paperwork: Record information and complete forms such as parts requests and estimated repair time (E.R.T.).
• Working with others: Work safely and efficiently with fellow employees to test and repair electrical/electronic and mechanical problems.
• Working without immediate supervision: Plan and execute work activities safely and efficiently without direct supervision.

Driving Requirements

• Valid state driver's license from the state in which you live at the time of appointment.
• Safe driving record, demonstrated and maintained.
• At least two years of unsupervised experience driving passenger cars or larger, in the U.S. or its possessions or territories, or on U.S. military installations worldwide.
• Must successfully complete Vehicle Familiarization and Safe Operation training, including demonstrating the ability to safely drive the type of vehicle used on the job.

Examination, Physical, and Training Requirements

• Must successfully complete Postal Service Test 943 and Test 944. (Exam 941 Automotive Bench Test is suspended until further notice, effective June 11, 2022.)
• Must be physically able to perform the duties of the position efficiently.
• May be required to complete prescribed training course(s) prior to reassignment or promotion.

Additional Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to communicate in and understand the English language, with or without a reasonable disability accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act.
• Employment is conditional upon meeting medical suitability, general eligibility and suitability, and background check requirements, even if you are allowed to begin working first.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident alien status.
• The Postal Service will refer a set number of the highest-ranked eligible candidates for selection consideration.

Benefits

This is a career position with excellent benefits:

• Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), similar to a 401(k)
• Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program
• Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
• Dental, vision, and long-term care insurance programs
• Flexible Spending Program for eligible health care and dependent care (day care) expenses
• Eleven paid federal holidays
• Accrued vacation and sick leave

Who May Apply

• All U.S. citizens, lawful permanent resident aliens, and citizens of American Samoa or other territory owing permanent allegiance to the United States.
• Applicants entitled to veterans' preference and/or covered by the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act may apply for any posted position.
• Current career Postal Service employees are not eligible to apply to this posting.

How to Apply

• Apply online at
• Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the posting's closing date.
• A valid email address is required; communication about employment opportunities, exams, and background checks is sent by email.
• Add these domains to your contact list: @usps.gov, @talogy.com, @geninfo.com, @uspis.gov.
• Exam: If invited to test, you will receive instructions by email. Make sure you can receive messages from the test vendor and follow the instructions carefully.
• Screenings: You may receive multiple background check requests. Respond quickly; non-responses may result in disqualification.
• Veterans' preference: Attach member copy 4 (only) of your DD Form 214 or other proof of eligibility if claiming 10-point veterans' preference.

Background Check

• The Inspection Service criminal background check uses U.S. information resources only (e.g., FBI fingerprint check, state and county checks).
• The check covers a 10-year inquiry for any U.S. location where you have resided, worked, or attended school.
• Checks for individuals who have not resided in the U.S. or its territories for the preceding 5 years may not be considered complete.
• For U.S. citizens only, the Inspection Service may be able to process inquiries if time outside the country was spent as a trailing spouse or dependent of a U.S. government employee (military or civilian), a missionary, a student at a foreign school, a Peace Corps participant, or an employee of a U.S.-based employer.
• If a complete background check cannot be performed due to residency outside the U.S., the individual will be ineligible for Postal employment.

Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Act

• The United States Postal Service is an equal opportunity employer.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for any part of the application, interview, and/or selection process. Request it from the examiner, selecting official, or local Human Resources manager (someone may request on your behalf). Explain the nature of your limitations and the accommodation needed; decisions are made case by case.
• The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 prohibits the Postal Service from asking about criminal history before a conditional offer of employment is made. If you believe your rights under this law have been violated, you have 30 days to file a complaint at . More information is available at