WELDER LEADER (EXPERT)

WELDER LEADER (EXPERT)

Philadelphia, United States

Company
Department of the Navy - Agency Wide
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Job Type
Full-time
Posted
23 days ago
Via
ZipRecruiter

Job Description
Summary

You will serve as a WELDER LEADER (EXPERT) in the DEPARTMENT OF NAVY to include work sites of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

This position is located in the Structural Shop (Shop 26).

Applicants will only be considered for positions within their own UIC. For example: If you are within UIC 4523A, you will only be considered for positions within 4523A.

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Duties

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• You will perform reviews of documents associated with completed work and trade processes.
• You will keep shop personnel apprised of new technologies, procedures, and tooling improvements associated, approved, and adopted for welding work.
• You will provide process improvements and work with engineering to reduce cost and improve the overall efficiency of the welding and non-destructive test program.
• You will inspect completed and in process work for quality of workmanship and adherence to requirements, specifications, standards, plans and schedules.
• You will train and mentor less skilled employees, demonstrate proper work methods, and discuss viable alternatives and considerations.
• You will serve as an Expert Welder leading a group to ensure work assignments are completed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
• Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• This is a bargaining unit position.
• You will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
• This position requires the ability to lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• You will be required to wear personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, coveralls, glasses, goggles, respirators and safety shoes continuously for the duration of the work shift.
• Work is performed in areas where potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present (e.g. fumes, dust, heat, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and chemicals). You will be required to participate in medical surveillance programs.
• This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
• This position requires the ability to climb vertical ladders when working aboard ships and submarines, and occasional work from ladders, platforms and staging areas.
• This position may be subject to work an uncommon tour, including nights, weekends, and holidays to meet mission requirements. Overtime or night differential pay and/or unusual duty hours may be required.
• This position requires rotating shift work.
• Must hold two common welding qualifications in either SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, Flame Spray, Sub Arc, Hull Cuts, Robotic, etc.
• Must maintain visual inspection qualifications per VT-271.

Qualifications

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below.

This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on the screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. The Screen-out Element for this position is: ABILITY TO LEAD OR SUPERVISE.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification Handbook for Trades and Labor Occupations. Additional qualification information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=List-of-Approved-Job-Elements

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Salary is based on geographical location and is subject to change with the annual local wage surveys in accordance with the provisions of 5 CFR Part 532 for all employees whose official duty station is located within the geographic boundary of the wage area definition. For more information please visit: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/BWN/AFWageSchedules/

SALARY:

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard:

WA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/FWS%20Special%20Schedules/MS_A143_143_Seattle_Everett_Tacoma,Washington.pdf

CA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/FWS%20Special%20Schedules/AM_A017_017_San_Diego,California.pdf

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/044/044R-25Nov2025.pdf

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard:

ME: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/087/087R-02Jan2025.pdf

CA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/017/017R-02Jan2025.pdf

Norfolk Naval Shipyard:

VA:https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/140/140R-09Jul2024.pdf

PA: https://wageandsalary.dcpas.osd.mil/Content/AF%20Schedules/survey-sch/115/115R-02Jan2025.pdf

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Temporary promotions may be extended up to 5 years at the discretion of management and in accordance with applicable regulations.

Temporary actions taken under this announcement may be made permanent without further competition.

Temporary actions taken under this announcement may be terminated at any time before the established not-to-exceed date.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.

Applicants rated ineligible on this vacancy announcement need to reapply and update their application package to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.

A relocation incentive may be authorized.

A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee.

Applicants selected and hired through this vacancy announcement need to reapply to be considered on future vacancies filled through this announcement.

Referral lists will be issued on an as-needed basis as vacancies occur.

All eligibility and qualifications must be met by the referral cut-off date.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf

PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Welder Jobs in United States

Q What is the median annual salary for welder jobs in the United States in 2026?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected at $51,200 in 2026 based on May 2023 data of $48,290 adjusted for 2% annual wage growth through 2033. Entry-level welders earn $39,600 annually (10th percentile), while experienced ones earn up to $68,500 (90th percentile). Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate adds an average of $5,000 yearly.
Q What visa is required for foreign nationals to work as welders in the United States in 2026?
Foreign welders typically qualify for H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas, with a FY2026 cap of 68,500 visas plus up to 64,000 supplemental, processed starting October 1, 2025. Employers must file Form I-129 at least 75 days before need, proving no US workers available. Visa valid up to 12 months, extendable to 3 years maximum.
Q What education and experience are required to become a welder in the United States?
A high school diploma or GED is the minimum education requirement, with most employers requiring completion of a 6-month to 1-year vocational training program or apprenticeship. Entry-level positions need no prior experience, but 1-2 years of on-the-job training is standard for certification. Associate degrees in welding technology improve hiring chances by 25%.
Q What documents are needed to apply for welder apprenticeship programs in the US?
Required documents include a high school diploma or GED, proof of US work authorization (SSN or I-9 eligible), resume listing any vocational training, and birth certificate or passport for age verification (minimum 16-18 years). Safety eyewear and basic tools may be needed at orientation. Applications are submitted via state apprenticeship agencies by December 31 for January starts.
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