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Electrical Engineer

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in SPC Olympia (TFOD), Olympia District (TFO), Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T).

A successful candidate in the Electrical Engineer position will serve a technical expert and senior engineer responsible for system integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation and maintenance, and failure analysis for all System Pretoction Control (SPC) systems.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 11/19/2022
Closed date: 12/03/2022
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$119,114 - $143,477 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
NCS/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
23-BPA-32918-11738689-BPA
Control number
690334200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Bonneville Power Administration employees with competitive status, currently on a career or career- conditional appointment.

Duties

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As an Electrical Engineer, you will:

  • Serve as the System Protection Control (SPC) District Engineer and the technical expert for system integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation and maintenance, and failure analysis for all SPC systems and equipment in the District.
  • Work with manufacturers, BPA, and other contractor resources for design, test, and integration of new and/or experimental equipment that extends the technology of the industry.
  • Execute significant projects representing an important segment of the BPA's operating programs and affecting the welfare of the public and the sustainability of natural resources and the environment.
  • Alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques applicable to maintenance, troubleshooting, installation, and/or engineering design of high voltage alternating current power systems control and protection systems and equipment.
  • Exercise delegated supervisory authorities and responsibilities, directing, coordinating, and overseeing the work of SPC engineers and craftsmen working in the District and providing similar oversight of contractors when appropriate.
  • Plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.
  • This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. 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.
  • The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 0753: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. -OR-

B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR-
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.-OR-
  3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.-OR-
  4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

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 (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in leading a project or team or serve as a technical expert performing relay setting calculations related to electrical systems in support of maintenance or construction activities, such as protective relaying, metering, supervisory control, data acquisitions, telemetering, stability controls, or microprocessor-based control systems.

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

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as high noise levels, toxic or irritating chemicals, and adverse weather conditions at sites. Special safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear may be necessary. The employee may be required to travel approximately 1-5 days per month.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as high noise levels, toxic or irritating chemicals, and adverse weather conditions at sites. Special safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear may be necessary. The employee may be required to travel approximately 1-5 days per month.

"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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

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

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

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your 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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Due weight will also be given to federal employees, when applicable, for performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3). Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Accountability
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Stakeholder Management


Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (12/03/2022) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11738689

Bonneville Power Administration

The Bonneville Power Administration is a nonprofit federal power marketing administration based in the Pacific Northwest. Although BPA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it is self-funding and covers its costs by selling its products and services. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects in the Northwest, one nonfederal nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants.

Agency contact information

Shaunna Young
Phone
503-230-4018
Email
sxyoung@bpa.gov
Address
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Bonneville Power Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.bpa.gov/news/AboutUs/Pages/default.aspx

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