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Public Utilities Specialist

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The purpose of this position is to lead and perform distributed energy resources-related analyses, planning support and market research for the DER group. The position is located within the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) (PES) organization of Energy Efficiency (PE) and Power Services (P) in the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2020 to 02/25/2020
Salary
$97,360 to - $126,571 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Portland, OR
1 vacancy
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
13
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-20-13816-DE
Control number
559372500

Duties

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As a Public Utilities Specialist, you will:

  • Define and perform a variety of analyses related to DER technologies and products for diverse internal or external clients.
  • Perform and/or oversee contractor and team implementation of market research activities, including development of research strategies and methodologies.
  • Provide oversight on contractor work and supports manager in procuring contract resources.
  • Perform internal and external engagement on analyses and market research.
  • Represent BPA on Council and other regional committees related to DER planning and analyses.

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-20-13816-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.

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. 
  • Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Perform research, analyses, planning, and reporting on items such as potential impacts, costs, ramp/penetration rates, and/or potential value streams, AND; utilize comprehensive market research strategies, AND; Solve methodological challenges as well as develop and review model inputs and outputs for non‐standard and/or innovative projects.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 level. 

Your application and 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 application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSACs 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.

  1. Electric Utility Fundamentals - Knowledge of generation, transmission, and/or distribution concepts in the wholesale or retail markets of providing electricity to consumers; Knowledge of the business practices, regulations, rate structures and operating characteristics of the electrical utility industry; Ability to apply knowledge of the laws, regulations, standards, policies, concepts, principles, practices, rate structures, and contractual relationships applicable to electric utility customers.
  2. Financial Analysis - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to interpret quantitative and qualitative data; includes data modeling, earned value management, and evaluating key financial indicators, trends, and historical data.
  3. Negotiation - Works with others towards an agreement that may involve exchanging specific resources or resolving differences.
  4. 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.
  5. Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of showing, promoting, and selling products and services.
  6. Stakeholder Management - Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).

"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

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

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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