Materials Handler

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of warehouse functions in either a major segment of a large warehouse or as the principal materials handler in a small warehouse.
• Receive, store, and assemble for issue, shipment and distribution a variety of bin and bulk supplies, materials, equipment, and commodities.
• Receive, unload and process incoming shipments, checking documentation against container or packing labels and reporting over, short or damaged items.
• Assemble items for shipment in the loading area according to shipping requests, checking container condition before loading and ensuring shipments are properly loaded onto the correct conveyances.
• Determine sequences for loading materials and organize incoming shipments for maximum space utilization, safety and damage protection.
• Lay out storage space, establish item locations, and determine organization and arrangement of stock.
• Count types and quantities of items during inventories, maintaining tally listings and conducting recounts or searches to determine basis for over, short or misplaced items.
• Operate one or more types of material handling equipment such as a forklift with a lifting capacity of up to 15,000 pounds, a warehouse tractor, a stock selector, or a general‑purpose vehicle.
• Pack or re‑pack items using a variety of standard packing materials, methods and techniques.

The operator works on dirt, wooden, asphalt and concrete floors and is required to walk, stand, stoop, bend and work in uncomfortable and tiring positions. Must be able to lift and carry supplies and material that weigh up to 40 pounds. Heavier items are moved with weight handling equipment or with assistance from other workers. Must open and close boxes, cartons, bags and other containers to inspect and count contents.

Moderate physical effort is required in operating a forklift truck and in raising, lowering and tilting loads being moved.

Material handling work is done inside and outside warehouses. The incumbent may work inside areas that are hot, cold, damp, rainy, drafty or poorly lit and may be dirty, dusty and greasy. Incumbent may work in outside areas such as open docks and storage yards. The material handler is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts, scrapes, bruises, broken bones, falls from ladders or injury from forklift trucks.

Incumbent may be required to handle hazardous and radioactive material and may need to wear protective clothing such as hard hats, steel‑toed shoes, rubber gloves, masks and rubber aprons.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standard for Trades and Labor Occupations. While a specific length of experience is not required, applicants must meet any screen‑out elements listed and demonstrate through experience and training that they possess the required knowledge and skill level for the position.

Experience includes paid, unpaid, and volunteer work such as National Service programs (Peace Corps, Ameri Corps), professional and community organizations. Volunteer work helps build competencies, knowledge, and skills and may receive credit.