Clarification from the agency

Bonneville Power Administration employees with competitive status, currently on a career or career-conditional appointment. Apprentices in the last year of the program are encouraged to submit an application to indicate duty locations for which they want to be considered for permanent placement.

As a Power System Control Craftsman Trainee 5, you will:

• The Power System Control Craftsman Trainee performs preventive and corrective maintenance on power system control equipment. Additionally, there may be circumstances due to district staffing, the trainee may be expected to perform emergency maintenance on power system control equipment. Power system control equipment includes the following:
  • AM and FM radios with frequencies up to 900 mHz. These consist of fixed, mobile, and portable stations used for voice communications, control, and telemetering circuits.
  • High Density Transport Systems including SONET, STM, Ethernet Transport Systems and associated end equipment.
  • System-interconnected networks including various manufacturer's routers, switches and hubs.
  • Digital and analog microwave radio equipment operating at frequencies above 900 MHz with high density channel loading capability.
  • High density microwave multiplex equipment which includes the frequency generation equipment, add/drop multiplexors, associated synchronization equipment, telephone termination equipment and dial selectors, and all service channel or urder wire equipment.
  • Control and data equipment which includes SCADA, microwave alarm reporting systems, hydromet stations, ILDSS, digital/analog telemetering systems, central time system, transfer trip (used for line protection and remedial action schemes), data circuits and general-purpose modems.
  • Power line carrier current equipment using AM, SSB, FM, and FSK modulation for the transmission of voice communications, power line relaying signals, telemetering, and supervisory control.
  • Miscellaneous equipment which includes auxiliary power equipment (engine generator controls, batteries and battery chargers, inverters, and UPS systems), power line fault locators (both portable and fixed), telephone switching equipment, PA systems, closed circuit television systems, fiber optics, and electronic test equipment.
• Under supervision by the District supervisor or supervising engineer, as necessary, performs the more difficult and nonroutine types of maintenance work on the above equipment. The trainee may also make previously approved field modifications on equipment and perform subsequent tests for work involving unusual problems or requiring CD analysis by the engineer.
• Assists in performing initial energization tests of new installations and obtains data which will permit the supervising engineer to make an engineering evaluation of the equipment performance in terms of the contract specifications.
• Installs certain types of equipment under general supervision after the procedures have been previously established. A typical job is the installation of mobile radios.
• Assists in measuring and determining locations of radio and audible noise and power line interference and advises the supervising engineer of the source of the interference so that corrective action may be initiated.
• In connection with the above various types of work, prepares reports which in general are a collection of test data, instrument readings, and other pertinent information which can be used by the supervising engineer to make an engineering determination on the equipment operations.
• Performs miscellaneous duties related to the maintenance of the communication system.
• In connection with the above various types of work, interpret information from manufacture's specifications such as schemes, block diagrams, and technical orders. Also, responsible to updating prints in accordance with BPA standards to reflect currently installed equipment, systems, and "as-builts" as well as any accompanying equipment software and associated databases.
• Uses test equipment of the trade (e.g., digital multi meter, etc.) and operates hand and power tools such as drills, drivers, presses, etc.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Satisfactory completion of each trainee step and associated related training is mandatory for advancement to the next step and retention in the trainee program. Failure of any two of the step examinations will result in removal from the trainee program.
• Become familiar with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
• If exposed to health hazards, have periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense.
• Possess a valid state driver's license. Obtain and maintain U.S. Motor Vehicle driver Authorization within 30 days after the requirement is established and maintain continuously thereafter. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.
• Obtain and maintain a restricted electrical worker's permit within 1 year.
• As circumstances dictate, or as required by management, possess or obtain standard clearance certification.
• Possess within 1 year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, both a First Aid card and a CPR card.
• Overnight Travel is required.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Operate motor vehicles, including 1-1/2 ton pickups, sedans, van type trucks, 4 x 4's, or snowcats, as required by management.
• Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions to the duty station headquarters.
• The position at Ashe (Richland) requires unescorted access to a nuclear facility under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Final employee selection is subject to successfully completing a background investigation, medical and/or psychological evaluation and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing administered by the nuclear facility management. This position is also subject to random drug and alcohol testing by the nuclear facility management.
• The position at Ashe (Richland) will be required to take annual radiation training and pass a written exam.
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C).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 the 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 factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible.

The screen-out element for this position is: defined as performing installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic equipment in at least 2 of the 3 following areas without more than normal supervision: 1. Radio telecommunications equipment such as microwave, UHF radio, VHF radio, and multiplex equipment;2. Optical Transport equipment such as: fiber optics, SONET, OTN, Frame Relay, and ATM;3. IP Networking equipment such as routers, switches, Carrier Ethernet, and MPLS. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

In addition to the screen-out element you will be evaluated on the following Job Elements through your resume and responses to the on-line assessment questionnaire:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability To Use Hand and Power Tools -Electronics
• Ingenuity (Ability To Suggest and Apply New Methods)
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Theory of Electronics
• Trouble shooting (Electronic Equipment)
• Use of Test Equipment: Electronics

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Most of the work is indoors although some of the power line carrier and mobile radio work is outside.
• Repair work or other emergency work may be required at any time of a 24-hour day.
• Voltages up to several thousand volts may be present in some types of equipment.
• Some of the work is performed around moving machinery in the auxiliary power equipment.
• The work may involve driving maintenance vehicles over steep and narrow mountain roads.
• Work may involve working alone and possibly in isolated locations.
• The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels, or exposure to toxic or hazardous substances (i.e., acids, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk.
• Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others.

"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.

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 determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your resume and self-assessment to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

You may preview the online self-assessment questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12610693

Semi-Annual Rating/Ranking:

Semi-annual rating/ranking will be conducted in January and July for the following craft positions:

• Electrician Foreman I, II, and III (Maintenance and Construction)
• Lineman Foreman I and III
• Chief Substation Operator III

NOTE: Applications for the above positions must be received by no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) December 31, 2025 to be included in the January 2026 semi-annual rating/ranking process. Bid applications received between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 will be rated/ranked by subject matter expert (SME) panel during the July 2025 semi-annual rating/ranking period

Bid Applications submitted for positions not included in the semi-annual rating/ranking schedule will be rated/ ranked by SME panel only after a manager's request to fill the position is received in BPA's HR Service Center, Recruitment and Placement workgroup, HA-1.

Applications that are rated/ranked must receive a rating of "best qualified" (transmuted score of 80, or higher) to be referred for hiring consideration. Those who received a "best qualified" rating will retain this ranking for up to five (5) years from the date of rating. Applicants must submit a new annual bid list application each year during the 5-year rating period to receive consideration for each year.

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'.