Packer Leader (Fire Support)
Department of Agriculture
Summary
This position is located within a National Interagency Support Cache (NISC). This position serves as a leader for packers and other workers engaged within a Kitting or Returns section of a NISC warehouse under direct supervision of the Warehouse Supervisor. The incumbent leads the work of assigned employees. For information about the duties of this position contact Region 5: Mark Garland – mark.r.garland@usda.gov See the Additional Information section for other regional points of contact.
Duties
- Leads three or more workers on a regular and recurring basis.
- Collates, assembles, inventories, and build kits from individual components according to National Fire Equipment System (NFES) standards.
- Repairs and rehabilitates fire supplies and equipment to NFES standards and makes determinations as to the condition of returned fire equipment and supplies and routes to appropriate work areas.
- Makes independent judgements and decisions within the framework of oral and written instructions and accepted methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Handles or oversees one or more product lines, and implements work assignments or instructions from the supervisor for employees.
- Packs and labels material following pre-established shipping requirements for hazardous and non-hazardous materials and items.
- Corrects safety problems when noticed or identified in order to complete assignments safely and on time.
- Conducts periodic inventory of material to support operational efforts and requests adjustments through established business practices.
Requirements
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered 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.gov. 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. Must be a certified forklift operator in accordance with OSHA standards and be able to pass an operator’s test, read traffic signs, and complete trip tickets, within one year of initial employment. You may be required to push, lift, and carry up to 40 pounds.
May be exposed to material handling equipment, noise, fumes, dust, and other hazards associated with warehouse operations. Employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment and/or clothing while performing duties associated with their field of work. The work may require long hours on short notice, callback in evenings or on weekends, work shifts of 12 hours for extended periods, holiday shifts, and/or receiving telephone calls after regular hours. The employee may be subject to fire or detail assignments in logistic support roles.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints) Ability To Lead Or Supervise Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Demo Authority Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order) Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. 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.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12974473
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 being used 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, official transcripts will be required 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.
- Current and former Federal employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
- A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
- Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, that 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.
- If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above), 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.
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50) showing the employee served in eligible appointment(s) for a period(s) of more than 24 mos w/o a break between appointments of two+ years.
- Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation Sf-50s for each period.
- Submit performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility signed by supervisor(s).
- If documentation does not exist for one or more periods, submit a statement from supervisor(s) indicating acceptable performance.
- Applicants who do not have performance documentation for any period shall provide a reason why the documentation is not available and statement that performance for all periods was at an acceptable level.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
- 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.
- If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation.
- Go to USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.
About this role
The Packer Leader (Fire Support) position with the Department of Agriculture is based in Redding, California. This position is located within a National Interagency Support Cache (NISC). The role pays $27.35 to $31.90 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. Be prepared for physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Packer Leader (Fire Support) position with the Department of Agriculture in Redding, California, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $27.35 to $31.90 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 Redding, California, 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.