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.

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As a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) System Protection & Control Craftsman Trainee, you will:

• The HVDC System Protection & Control Craftsman Trainee, under direct supervision, performs preventive and corrective maintenance on Static Var Compensator (SVC), Thyristor-controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) and at the Celilo Converter Station on equipment including DC convertor controllers, data monitoring systems, control room indication-controls, protective relays, energy metering, telemetering, and convertor station control networks.
  • Uses test equipment to perform acceptance tests, maintenance tests, repairs, adjustment, and final accuracy tests on Programmable Logic Controllers, protection systems, relays, energy meters, indication meters, plant controls, telemetering, and other equipment necessary for operation of the high voltage DC Converter Station, along with SVC and TCSC equipment in other districts.
  • Prepares test data sheets and preliminary reports documenting the tests performed including instrument readings, data tolerance checks, electrical diagrams, and other pertinent information.
  • Makes and/or assists with test setups to perform any of the above.
  • Keeps test equipment and test circuits in good safe working order.
  • Uses technical documentation as required, for maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.
  • Operates precision standards and unique instrumentation to evaluate the performance and/or quality of the equipment.
  • Collects and performs basic analysis of sequential event records and fault recordings showing high voltage DC Convertor Station control signals, high voltage DC transmission line signals, and high voltage AC power system signals.
  • Assists in training of HVDC System Protection & Control Craftsman Trainees.
  • Maintains tools, equipment, and supplies related to support of the System Protection and Control function at the Celilo Converter Station, SVC and TCSC Stations.
  • Performs intricate equipment evaluation and testing by measuring the performance characteristics of complex equipment when operated in both normal and unusual electrical or environmental conditions.
  • Modifies or fabricates equipment in accordance with written or oral instructions, brief sketches, or ideas consistent with the results desired.
  • Performs special assignments related to DC Protection and Control work such as developing automated control programs, developing and assembling special test circuits, performing novel tests, and developing trouble-shooting instructions.

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.
• Must successfully meet HVDC System Protection and Control Training Program requirements. (Failure to meet training program requirements may result in removal from the training program and Federal service.)
• Must become familiar with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual and special safety rules for the work site where work is performed.
• Possess an Electrical Worker's permit or obtain one within 120 days after need is established.
• As circumstances dictate, or as required by management, possess or obtain standard clearance certification.
• Possess a valid state driver's license. Possess a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Authorization or obtain within 30 days after appointment and maintain continuously thereafter. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.
• Possess within 1 year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, a valid First Aid card and CPR card.
• Operate motor vehicles, including 1-1/2 ton pickups, sedans or van type trucks, including forklifts. Be certified to operate specialized equipment if assigned to use.
• 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.
• Be subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Be able to wear protective apparel such as respirators when required for worker safety.
• If exposed to health hazards, have periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense.
• (Employees will work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, PCB's, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, etc., which may have effects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed.)
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
• Position is subject to initial pre-employment Drug Testing and random drug testing thereafter.

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: Ability to, under direct supervision, learn to perform computer controlled relay test system for commissioning, maintenance, and diagnostic fault simulation on micro-processor and electro-mechanical transmission lines, transformers, bus and breaker failure relays, and removing line protection from service, performing diagnostic and functional tests, and returning line protection to in-service condition. 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:
Work is performed primarily indoors at the high voltage Celilo DC Converter Station, and SVC and TCSC Stations in other field locations. Work may be performed outside in adverse weather conditions, in energized substations. Some overnight travel may be required. The employee may be exposed to electrical hazards of all voltages existing in the BPA system, and will be expected to work occasionally on substation equipment at heights 40 feet above the ground. Some test sites require walking over uneven terrain but most locations are accessible by mobile equipment. At times, work may be physically demanding. Test voltages up to several thousand volts may be present in some types of equipment. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels or exposure to toxic or hazardous substances (acids, solvents, mercury, PCB's, 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. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be done at night or under serious time pressures. System priorities may require extended periods of overtime including working weekends and holidays

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/11755679

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, 2022 to be included in the January 2023 semi-annual rating/ranking process. Bid applications received between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023 will be rated/ranked by subject matter expert (SME) panel during the July 2023 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'.