Sewing Machine Operator

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at the Logistics Readiness Center (LRC), U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Located in the scenic Hudson River valley, only 50 miles from New York City, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year academic institution, a nationally-renowned historic site, and the oldest continuously occupied military post in America. The undergraduates, known as cadets, are commissioned as officers in the US Army upon graduation.

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Duties

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• Operate standard high-speed industrial sewing machines to perform operations in the manufacture of garments to include, but not limited to, cadet dress coats and overcoats.
• Operate specialized machines such as blind stitch, edge baster, felling, cylinder, bar tack, buttonhole, and the highly specialized blind stitch embroidery machine, attaching silk cord ornamentation to the full-dress coat.
• Mark curved sections of design using a stencil prior to blind stitching and bar tack finished ends of cord by hand sewing to the interlining of the coat.
• Perform non-sewing functions such as marking and trimming.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed Tier 1 background investigation.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and annual examinations thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary, the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Reinstatement
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998
• Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

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 Sewing Machine Operator without more than normal supervision to include: (1) operating standard high-speed industrial sewing machines to make, fit, and/or alter clothing items; and (2) perform fittings and/or markings for alteration determinations. Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

To meet the basic eligibility, you must receive at least two points on the screen-out element indicated above and must have an average of two points on all the job elements listed below. Your application will be further evaluated to determine if you meet the best qualified cut-off for referral to the selecting official.

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision Screen Out
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Knowledge of Materials
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)

PHYSICAL EFFORTS

Sit for long periods of time with continual movement of hands, arms and fingers in placing items in position and sewing. Often handle pieces of fabric or articles of clothing that are consistently heavy and bulky.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Shop is adequately lighted, ventilated and heated. Operators are subject to cuts, punctures, scratches and other minor irritations and injuries from handling sharp tools. Subject to allergies from dyes, dust and lint from fabrics. Also subject to noise from sewing machines.

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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This is a Logistics Career Field position.
• 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.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government's interest.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive is not authorized.

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.