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Power System Dispatcher

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Rocky Mountain Region, Reliability Operations (Phoenix) - J4900
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region. As a Power System Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the real-time operations of Bulk Power Systems (BPS) performing real-time actions during normal and emergency conditions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/30/2025 to 10/08/2025
Salary
$115,154 to - $168,447 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 3 - 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Phoenix, AZ
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel of up to 5-10% annually is required, with overnight travel possible during all or part of that time.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
25-WJ-00588-12807913-DE
Control number
847024000

Duties

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As a Power System Dispatcher, you will:

  • Manage real-time reliability activities as a Western Area Power Administration (Western) power system dispatcher
  • Perform duties associated with balancing and/or interchange operations within the assigned region.
  • Schedule generation to meet electrical load demands.
  • Maintain system frequency.
  • Activate contingency reserves.
  • Administer Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS) and energy tagging programs.
  • React to changing system configurations to maintain operational integrity.
  • Monitor the OATi webTrans system and processes electronic tags in accordance with NERC standards.
  • Verify the validity of E-tag transmission paths, sufficiency of transmission allocation, and reasonableness of ramp times and durations.
  • Monitor the OATi webOASIS system and processes Transmission Service Requests (TSRs) according to FERC guidelines.
  • Verify TSRs are within the available transfer capability (ATC) limits and meet appropriate timing requirements.
  • Log all relevant system events in accordance with Operations Procedures and management directives.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Standards, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Orders, and Department of Energy (DOE)/Western policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
  • Position is subject to random drug testing.
  • You must pass pre-employment drug testing.
  • You must pass pre-employment and annual medical examination.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements- high risk.
  • The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Driver's certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's training will be completed upon employment.
  • If the incumbent does not hold a valid NERC certification at the time of appointment, it must be obtained within 180 days from the date of hire. Failure to be able to obtain the required NERC certification may result in disciplinary action up to removal from appointment.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

For the AD-03 level - A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [AD-02/GS-09] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least one of the following:

  1. Operating power systems with centralized SCADA/EMS control for high-voltage power lines and substations, OR
  2. Operating power plants or control centers, including direct SCADA control of multiple, remotely operated power plants, OR
  3. Monitoring the OATi webTrans system and processing electronic tags in accordance with NERC standards, which includes verifying transmission path validity, sufficient transmission allocation, and reasonable ramp times and durations. This also involves monitoring the OATi webOASIS system and processing Transmission Service Requests (TSRs) according to FERC guidelines, ensuring TSRs are within the available transfer capability (ATC) limits of the path and meet appropriate timing requirements.

For the AD-04 level - A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [AD-03/GS-11] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least one of the following:
  1. Operating OASIS and responding to transmission service requests, in accordance with established timing requirements. Verifying Total Transfer Capability (TTC) and updates Available Transfer Capability (ATC), as necessary, OR
  2. Administering energy tag requests in accordance with applicable business practices, including those of entities for which tagging services are provided, OR
  3. Evaluating transmission outages, either scheduled or forced, to determine their effect on scheduling and makes changes, delays, or cancellations as appropriate.

"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.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
  • Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

The competencies for the Power System Dispatcher are:
  • Administration and Management
  • Decision Making
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Problem Solving


Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a 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.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/08/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12807913

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