Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Rio Grande Valley Sector, Mission Readiness Operations Division located in Rio Grande City, TX.

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Duties

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This position starts at an hourly rate of $33.82 (WG-10, Step 1) to $39.55 (WG-10, Step 5).

As a Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic, you will determine the cause of malfunctions and make repairs, as well as make modifications to a variety of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile equipment. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Making repairs to a full range of systems on heavy mobile equipment and vehicles
• Determining the cause of mechanical operating problems by tracing and locating defects
• Overhauling or rebuilding one or more systems on a wide range of vehicles or equipment, such as diesel, gasoline, and other types of internal combustion engines; automatic and non-automated transmissions; heavy duty drive line systems; and/or hydraulic utility systems and controls
• Detecting faulty items, determining causes of malfunction and best repair methods, and assembles, disassembles, repairs, or modifies components and systems.
• Conducting functional and performance tests on completed work assignments

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see

Qualifications

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show thorough 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 quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

To minimally qualify for the WG-10 grade level you must meet the Screen Out Element : Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision

To meet the screen out element(s), you should haveexperience performing the following duties:

• Determining causes of mechanical operating problems, tracing and locating defecting, and making repairing to a full range of systems on heavy mobile equipment, buses, and commercial vehicles from oral assignments, work orders, manufacturer's specifications, or accepted trade practices.
• Overhauling or rebuilding major systems on a wide range of vehicles or equipment such as diesel, gasoline, multifuel, or other types of internal combustion engines; automatic and nonautomated transmissions; heavy-duty drive line systems; or hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical utility systems or controls
• Independently interpreting and applying manufacturer's repair manuals, schematics, diagnostic codes and safety manuals and be familiar with all the tools, equipment, and materials used by heavy mobile equipment mechanics.
• Operating vehicles and performing duties requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Failure to meet these Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

In addition to the experience described above, you will also be evaluated on the basis of your overall level of competency (knowledge, skills, and abilities) in the following areas:

• Knowledge of the mechanical makeup, operation, and working relationships of heavy-duty systems, assemblies, and parts, including various major systems.
• Knowledge of electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other non-mechanical systems which have a functional relationship and effect on the operation of the mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of electronics sufficient to identify and replace defective components, such as sensors, diodes, and circuit boards, and refers more complex problems to electronics mechanics.
• Ability to ensure proper operation of the complete system or vehicle by connecting, meshing, aligning, and adjusting parts and systems.
• Skilled and knowledgeable to recognize symptoms indicating probable malfunctions in time to make repairs before actual breakdowns occur.
• Ability to drive a commercial vehicle to perform tests and ensure repairs are successful.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 10/01/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

Motor Vehicle Operation:

• You must possess a valid state driver's license at the time of appointment.
• You must possess or be able to possess a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Work Conditions: Work requires repairs on vehicles where parts worked on are in hard-to-reach places. Also standing, stooping, stretching and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions often for extended periods of time. Frequently lifting and carrying parts and equipment that weigh up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Work is usually performed inside on concrete surfaces where there is exposure to drafts, noise, and fumes from vehicles. Due to continuous exposure to dirt, dust, and grease with the potential for burns, chemical irritations, shocks, bruises, cuts and strains, work requires to follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment such as safety shoes, safety glasses, and respirators.

Travel: Work may require travel away from the normal duty station.

Overtime and Shift Work: Call back and emergency overtime may be regular requirements of this position.

Uniforms: Work requires wearing protective clothing and/or safety equipment.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

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.

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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.