Dental Assistant

What you would do

• Assist dentists during intra-oral procedures as directed.
• Take dental x-rays using radiographic equipment for treatment planning.
• Receive and schedule patients for treatment.
• Sterilize instruments and equipment using infection-control protocols.
• Prepare surgical trays with sterilized instruments and supplies.
• Remove sutures as directed by clinical providers.

Do you qualify for GS-5?

With experience: One year of specialized experience at the GS-4 level, such as chair side assistance for a dental specialist, intra-oral procedures, operating dental x-ray equipment, and charting. The announcement says this experience is typical of GS-4 work, one grade below this job.

With education: A full four-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program with at least 24 semester hours in radiation topics such as radiation physics, radiation biology, radiation safety, x-ray film quality, radiographic techniques, darkroom processing, and film mounting. You can also combine education and experience, as long as the total adds up to at least 100 percent.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Radiology certification as a radiographer, from an accredited program, as required by federal radiation rules (some exceptions apply)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume of two pages or less showing employer, job title, start and end dates by month and year, and hours per week
• Copy of your radiology certification or other required license or certification
• Official transcripts if you qualify through education
• Most recent performance appraisal, if applicable
• Optional cover letter
• Completed online questionnaire

How you will be rated: Your resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire answers will be reviewed to check whether you meet the qualifications. Inflated qualifications or missing, incomplete, or inaccurate information can lead to losing consideration.

Tips for this job:

• Upload your radiology certification and BLS card with your application, or you will be rated ineligible.
• Keep your resume to two pages or less and list hours per week for each job.
• Submit the complete package, including documents uploaded through USAJOBS and the online application, by 11:59 PM EST on 03/01/2027.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional travel may be required. You may be required to work during severe weather or emergencies.

Incentives and relocation: None stated. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed, and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move costs are not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

• Suitability or fitness determination after background investigation
• Pre-employment physical exam and yearly exam after that
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Mission Essential: must report or stay at work during emergencies and severe weather
• Inclement Weather Essential: must try to report on time during severe weather
• Yearly seasonal flu vaccine unless exempt for medical or religious reasons
• Tuberculosis testing required
• Immunization screening; Hepatitis B vaccine required
• Selective Service registration for men born after 1959
• 1-year probationary period
• Direct deposit of pay required

Job details

Salary

$40,736 – $52,957 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-5 · General Schedule

Location

Fort Gordon, Georgia

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

Many

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Occasional travel

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Dental Assistant (0681)

Announcement

HSJA-26-13048355-DHA-S