Small Engine Mechanic Leader

Department of Agriculture

Lakewood, Colorado Full-time $31 – $37 Closes Jun 28, 2026

Summary

This position is located within a National Interagency Support Cache (NISC). This position acts as a leader to ensure maintenance and repair of support equipment included in the National Fire Equipment System inventory, as well as other small engine powered equipment used in support of incident activity. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Humberto Ontiveros at Humberto.ontiveros@usda.gov.

Duties

  • Leads three or more workers on a regular and recurring basis.
  • Leads the maintenance and repair of powered support equipment included in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) inventory, as well as other small engine powered equipment used in support of incident activity.
  • Assures agency safety rules and policies are complied with, the limits of safe equipment operation are not exceeded, and all tools are properly used.
  • Distributes and balances workloads among crew members and schedules job assignments for various pieces of small engine repair.
  • Works independently to accomplish a full range of maintenance, diagnostic testing, and repair work on a variety of small engine equipment.
  • Performs major and minor overhauls and repairs following standards established by manufacturers and agency.
  • Performs repair work on equipment used in refurbishment operations, and in support of various other departments.
  • Uses tools and equipment such as power tools, compression gauges, ammeters and voltmeters, computerized engine analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment to locate faulty parts and tune engine.
  • Performs metal inert gas welding Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or Metal inert gas (MIG).
  • Duties listed are at the full performance of WL-08 grade level.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire.

Individuals with veterans’ preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans’ preference within each category. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12974248

Required Documents

  • The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete.
  • Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
  • Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  • Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications.
  • Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
  • If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts.
  • An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.
  • Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university.
  • If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.
  • Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards.
  • There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service.
  • For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website.
  • All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions.
  • If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
  • Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment.
  • Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  • If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference.
  • The SF-15 should be included but is not required.
  • Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference.
  • For more information on veterans' preference visit FedsHireVets.
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

About this role

The Small Engine Mechanic Leader position with the Department of Agriculture is based in Lakewood, Colorado. This position is located within a National Interagency Support Cache (NISC). The role pays $31.39 to $36.55 per hour.

Day to day, the role leads three or more workers on a regular and recurring basis. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.

Who should apply

This role calls for United States citizenship, the ability to obtain and hold a security clearance, and the relevant certifications named in the posting. It is graded at WL-08, which sets both the pay band and the experience reviewers expect you to document. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Small Engine Mechanic Leader position with the Department of Agriculture in Lakewood, Colorado, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.

How competitive it is

The posted pay of $31.39 to $36.55 per hour places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. The security clearance requirement means a longer hiring timeline, so patience and an early application help. Based in Lakewood, Colorado, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on June 28, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.

This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.

Job Details

Department Department of Agriculture
Job Type Full-time
Location Lakewood, Colorado
Salary $31 – $37
Pay Period Per Hour
Closing Date Jun 28, 2026
Posted Jun 18, 2026
Source ID 26-EHT-FIRENC3-2FS107-8DP
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