Materials Handler

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Des Moines, IA, seeks a Warehouse Worker in the Receiving/Distribution area of the Logistics Service. You will be responsible for receiving, storing, selecting, and shipping general and bulk materials and equipment.

The role requires lifting heavy items (up to 100 pounds+), operating material handling equipment, and performing duties in varied indoor/outdoor environments. A formal assessment will review your qualifications and safety practices.

Qualifications

• Dexterity and safety-related capabilities required for material handling and equipment operation.
• Ability to interpret instructions and specifications related to receiving, storing, and shipping.
• Experience with handling and moving materials and equipment.
• Familiarity with basic technical practices and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Receive, store, select, and ship general and specialized bulk items and equipment.
• Unload/load trucks and move heavy boxes, often over 40 pounds.
• Operate or assist with forklifts or hand trucks in varied conditions.
• Work in storage buildings, pods, trailers, and outdoor warehouses in all weather.
• Follow safety protocols and participate in the job elements assessment.

Skills

Dexterity

Safety awareness

Interpret instructions

Materials handling

Technical practices

Without supervision

Job description

This position serves as a Warehouse Worker located within the Receiving/Distribution area of the Logistics Service in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System performing work that involves receiving, storing, selecting, and shipping general and/or specialized bulk and bin materials and equipment.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS:

Work involves considerable walking, pushing and pulling a variety of carts and materials handling equipment; offloading and loading trucks, lifting products on and off shelves, handling boxes frequently weighing over 40 pounds; handles equipment, furniture and materials of an awkward and heavier nature in excess of 100 pounds (typically using specialized equipment and/or assistance of co-workers). Greater physical effort may be required on projects involving the movement of large quantities of products over an extended period including turn-ins, large shipments and deliveries. While operating vehicles, may be required to exert a greater level of physical exertion while backing and turning trucks, operating forklifts, or hand trucks on uneven terrains and uncertain conditions.

Working Conditions require working in storage buildings, pods, trailers, vehicles and warehouses that may be hot, cold, drafty and poor lighting; work outdoors, on docks, making deliveries in all types of weather conditions during all seasons; hazardous materials may be encountered in daily work activities; will be subject to the possibility of trips, falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, or injury from the use of equipment; may be subject to conditions that could result in serious accidents; personal protective equipment may be required.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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.