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Public Utilities Specialist

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Contract Administration (PEK) organization of Energy Efficiency (PE), Power Services (P), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

The purpose of this position is to administer long-term (5-year) Energy Efficiency (EE) contracts with BPA utility customers.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/09/2021 to 04/18/2021
Salary
$64,649 to - $110,356 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Portland, OR
FEW vacancies
Pasco, WA
FEW vacancies
Seattle, WA
FEW vacancies
Spokane, WA
FEW vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DOE-BPA-21-14501-DE
Control number
597897000

Duties

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As a Public Utilities Specialist, you will:

  • Serve as a subject matter/functional expert in the development, implementation, and review of BPA’s energy efficiency contracts.
  • Serve as a technical expert in the preparation, modification and administration of energy efficiency acquisition contracts.
  • Administer long-term Energy Conservation Agreements with BPA’s utility customers. 
  • Review customer utility reports of conservation accomplishments to ensure accuracy and reasonableness of claims.
  • Conduct random oversight on customer invoices to review and verify claims made in reports to BPA.
  • Participate on EE Customer Service Teams and on other cross-organizational teams as a subject matter expert.

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.

This announcement is also being advertised under Merit Promotion as announcement DOE-BPA-21-14501-MP. If you are a status candidate or intend to apply under a Special Hiring Authority (e.g. Schedule A, VEOA, etc.), please apply under the Merit Promotion announcement as well.

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • All males born after December 31st 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.
    When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.
  • A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • Selectee may be subject to a 1 year probationary period. 

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

GS-11:

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in working on conservation agreements projects or closely related programs to analyze and evaluate information to 1) ensure accuracy, 2) authorize payments, and 3) compare to documented requirements (e.g., contracts, agreements, policies, standards) to ensure contract compliance.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M., if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. —OR—
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.

GS-12:

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in working on projects and contract implementation requirements for energy efficiency, energy conservation technologies, or closely related programs to 1) determine compliance with the contract requirements and 2) communicate technical findings to managers and executives on contract compliance.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level.

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

GS-11:

  1. Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
  3. Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  4. Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
  5. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

GS-12:

  1. Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. Contracting and Procurement: Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration.
  3. Customer Service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
  4. Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  5. Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
  6. Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
  7. Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  8. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

"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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • 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.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31st 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.

EEO Policy:  http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy:  http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information:   http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Telework:  www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees’ overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

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. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. 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.

 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 scoring in the Well Qualified category (or higher).

 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 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


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