Dental Lab Technician

Summary

The Dental Laboratory Technician constructs porcelain or acrylic fixed or semi‑fixed bridge restorations – full or removable partial dentures – orthodontic appliances – dental splints – and obturators when the construction of the appliance is complicated. The duties of this position require application of thorough technical knowledge of both normal and abnormal oral anatomy and dentition as these affect the design – fabrication – function – and esthetics of the dental prosthesis.

To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 03/06/2026. Time‑In‑Grade Requirement:
Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7 level. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF‑50 that shows your time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year – it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one‑year time‑in‑grade – as required by the announcement. In this instance – you must provide an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one‑year time‑in‑grade.

Note:

Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized

Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑7 level) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
Use of dental laboratory material such as impression materials – plasters – stones – hydrocolloids – waxes – metals – acrylics – porcelain – and similar materials. Use of laboratory equipment such as hand tools – dental lathes – engines – and hand pieces – furnaces – casting machines – presses – flasks – and related equipment. Use of precision instruments such as articulators – surveyors – and microanalyzers.

Construction of dental prosthetic appliances. OR –

Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 1 1/2 years of graduate education directly related to the work of the position. One year of full‑time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full‑time study.

If that information cannot be obtained from the school – 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full‑time study requirement. (TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE INCLUDED IN APPLICATION PACKAGE).
*** Dental Service Preferences: A minimum of ten years' experience in crowns and bridge – with five years emphasizing CAD/CAM techniques – with knowledge of the Hyperdent design software preferred. Proficiency required in creating 3D scans – with familiarity with the 3

Shape scanning program desirable. Expertise in fabricating precise – high quality – fixed dental restorations by traditional methods essential. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Critical Thinking Medicine and Dentistryence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience – including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. – Peace Corps – Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g. – professional; philanthropic; religions; 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.

Note:

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time…