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Public Utilities Specialist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent has primary responsibility to implement customer service programs that assist our customers in maintaining familiarity with Western and in meeting the requirements of the Energy Policy Act.  This includes associated duties to provide assistance in developing, coordinating and administering contractual arrangements to carry out power marketing policy. Actively participates and coordinates with customers, Regional staff and other non-Western entities in the above major functions.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/04/2020 to 03/23/2020
Salary
$64,009 to - $99,741 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
few vacancies in the following locations:
Bismarck, ND
Huron, SD
Watertown, SD
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
75% or less - Overnight travel may be required 11 or more days per month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
PMA-20-WB-079-DE
Control number
561866400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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  • Represents Western in various meetings with customers, customer groups and other stakeholders.
  • Makes presentations at such meetings and conferences and prepares reports of meeting and customer interaction.
  • Coordinates information exchange between Western and the customer on planned electric power systems changes or upgrades.
  • Assists in the development/implementation of the current Energy Services Program and interface of the program with the customers.
  • Assists in the development, review, and negotiation of complex power marketing contacts.
  • Provides support on technical issues that arise relating to operations and maintenance contacts.
  • Analyzes historical correspondence, contract documents, statistical data or proposals and prepares and provides reports which include options and recommendations to advise managers on policy changes and implementation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements

N/A

Qualifications

You must meet all the qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. 

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:  Specialized experience requirements:  Specialized experience must be equal to the next lower grade level in the Federal Government.  At the GS-11 level: Experience working in an electric utility environment with job responsibilities that involve interfacing with customers on technical, organizational, and policy matters in delivering electrical power and associated services to electric customers. At the GS-12:  Experience working in an electric utility environment with job responsibilities that involve interfacing with customers on technical, organizational, and policy matters in delivering electrical power and associated services to electric customers; and knowledge of the evaluation and review of integrated resource plans and energy efficiency programs. 

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

  1.   Knowledge of the electric power industry and applicable Federal and state laws and regulations.
  2. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with customers and customer groups to explain Western power marketing contracts, power billing procedures, and energy management program activities. 
  3.  Knowledge of power contracts and contracting procedures in order to review and explain complex power, facility, operation & maintenance, and transmission service contracts. 
  4.  Knowledge of Western's energy services program and integrated resource planning requirements sufficient to assist customer organizations in planning and carrying out their responsibilities.
  5. Ability to research, analyze, and interpret power marketing data and formulate the information for inclusion into contractual arrangements.
  6. Understanding of wholesale rate schedules, power billing concepts, energy services concepts, power marketing policies and practices, and contractual relationships with customers to discuss complex issues with customers and organizations regarding Western’s power marketing policies.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meetallqualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience at the GS-12 level.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.  
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • All males born after December 31, 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • If selected for this position, your appointment is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, during the pre-employment process.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a questionnaire and are subject to a criminal background check to determine suitability for Federal employment before appointment.
  • If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition.  However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
    Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification.  These certifications may be subject to public disclosure
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive.  You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to ensure you have been placed into the appropriate quality category.

Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (when applicable), and training as described in your resume and applicant assessment. Your credentials are measured against the established duties of the position at the grade level(s) being advertised.

The quality categories are defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified". If you are a Veteran Preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better or category rating of Well-Qualified.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Selecting Official may check references on those applicants referred for consideration.
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