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 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR FOREMAN II, you will:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assign Duties. Plan and schedule daily work assignments to insure maximum use of resources and achievement of priority work. Organize overall schedule of work to be performed and each employee's part in it. Give instructions to subordinates and assigns them to specific tasks as needed for fullest utilization of individual skills or specialties. Supervise subordinate journeyman heavy equipment and crane operators, in the various phases of electrical construction activities.
• Maintain Discipline. Establish standards of performance and conduct of employees supervised. Insure compliance with administrative regulations, procedures, and working rules. The foreman encourages appropriate behavior of subordinates through explanations of rules, regulations, expectations, and by example, and ensures compliance through counseling and the performance appraisal system.
• Enforce Safety Rules. Instruct subordinates in safety rules and safe work practices, including proper use of tools and equipment, safe driving techniques, fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and general housekeeping practices, which includes appropriate coordination with other foreman. Insure equipment and work areas are free of hazards, and subordinates follow safe work practices as prescribed by regulations, laws, and standard practices. Support BPA safety program practices, procedures, and hazardous waste management policies, and investigate all accidents, including near misses, involving Heavy Equipment Operators under his/her jurisdiction. Complete required accident reports.
• Perform, Review and Inspect Work. Perform productive work as time permits. Review and inspect the work of subordinates and takes corrective actions as necessary to ensure complete and professional workmanship consistent with acceptable trade practices, including appropriately maintaining equipment. Monitors and documents project progress and keeps the manager informed of conditions and problems found.
• Responsible for Quantity and Quality of Specific Tasks. Is responsible and accountable for the satisfactory and timely completion of all work performed.

Planning and Scheduling

• Project Plan. Attend pre-construction meetings. Plans and lays out specific tasks to be performed. Arrange for the necessary delivery of equipment, and correlates work plans with other foreman. Document project status. Plan must be flexible to assure productive work is carried out despite adverse or inclement weather conditions, material delays, system requirements, or other unforeseen inconveniences, and to insure timely project completion, including preparation of time and material costs. Ensure all required equipment and material are available and arranges to secure missing or additional items. Account for the use or disposition of materials furnished to or retired from an installation. Assure vehicle and other transportation equipment is available and properly serviced. Make recommendations and provides technical expertise involved with the procurement of new tools and equipment required to maintain high standards of quality and efficiency.
• Coordinate Various Crew and Activities. Coordinate work schedules with other supervisors, journeyman of cooperating crafts (i.e., carpenters, painters, plumbers, welders, riggers, concrete workers, truck drivers, crane operators, material handlers, etc.), to avoid delays, meet deadlines and satisfy priorities. Coordination may be necessary with Operations and Maintenance personnel, procurement, and other utilities.

Administrative

• Review Employees' Performance and Recommend Personnel Actions. Continuously evaluate employees' performance and is responsible for the timely completion of the performance appraisal. Recommend required action to reward, improve skills, increase job satisfaction, improve conduct, resolve employee problems, and develop team spirit. Recommends personnel actions to the Manager, Specialty Services.
• Identify, Plan, and Implement Training. Has general responsibility for utilizing personal skills and experience to improve and standardize work procedures and develop skills of employees in the techniques and procedures of the trade. Orients new employees and explains nature and purpose of the work to be performed.
• Reports and Records. Prepare and forward required documents relating to time, leave, per diem, work progress, materials, field purchases and equipment. Reports problems relating to work, materials, safety, or personnel to the Manager, Specialty Services when these are of a nature requiring action by higher authority or referral to other offices of the Administration. Report all accidents immediately and directly to the Manager, Specialty Services for all tools and equipment in custody.

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.

• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
• After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.
• This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
• 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.
• Take periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority, at BPA expense, if exposed to conditions detrimental to health. (Employees will work in close proximity to substances, such as asbestos, acids, PCB's, pesticides, mercury, etc., which may have effects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed.)
• Become fully knowledgeable of and follows the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
• This includes use of safety barriers, personal safety equipment required of the craftsmanship, hard hats, climbing belts, seat belts, and following safety instructions of supervisors and other designated individuals.
• Subject to call-out for emergency work at any time.
• Frequent travel is required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State Motor Vehicle driver's license and a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with restriction of airbrakes from state of residence
• 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.
• Obtain all endorsements/ restrictions (i.e., tankers, hazardous material, double trailer) that are required to operate BPA equipment in compliance with state regulations.

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 Lead or Supervise the operation of all sizes and types of heavy mobile and stationary cranes and other earth-moving equipment such as graders, bobcats, backhoes, bulldozers, and track hoes. 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 Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (related to mobile equipment operation)
• Ability To Lead Or Supervise
• Ability To Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles
• Reliability And Dependability
• Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order)

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.

OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Possess a current/valid Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical Card.
• Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Is exposed to the same working conditions applicable to Heavy Equipment Operators assigned, including use of tools. Subject to the completion of work assignments throughout the BPA system. Frequent travel is required. Outside work is performed in all kinds of weather and in remote areas away from headquarters. The hazards include working around machinery with moving parts; working around energized, high voltage electrical equipment; working on ladders or scaffolding during inclement weather, and exposure to fumes, grease and oil, and constant noise. Employees are often required to work in mud, ice and snow. Workers are subject to minor cuts, bruises, fall and burn, and may be exposed to falling objects. Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled (mercury, acids, solvents, PCB's, cleaners, zinc, etc.) At times, work may be physically demanding. The work environment will occasionally include exposure to hazardous substances (mercury, pesticides, herbicides, zinc, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Must adjust quickly to work situations on projects not experienced before or only seldom experienced; and recognize and guard against potential hazards. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work, at night or under serious time pressures be performed throughout the BPA service territory. System priorities may involve extended periods of overtime, including working weekends and holidays.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

• Operates all sizes and types of heavy mobile and stationary cranes and other equipment such as graders, bobcats, backhoes, bulldozers and track hoes.
• Operates large electric, gasoline, or diesel-powered (2-ton rated capacity or larger) with hydraulic or manual attachments.
• Operates earth-moving equipment such as road graders, backhoes, bulldozers, power shovels, bobcats, ditch-witch's, dump trucks, and tilt trailer combinations.
• Operates forklifts, bucket trucks, hydro cranes, and other material and man-lift equipment.
• Operates a variety of track-and-wheel-type gasoline or diesel-powered tractors.
• Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks.
• Drives 30% of the time, depending upon location, in all weather conditions. Travels over rough, uneven and steep terrain.

"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.

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. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

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 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 assessment questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12856615

Selection will be based on skills and competencies, not educational credentials or self-reported experience.

Semi-Annual Rating/Ranking:

Semi-annual rating/ranking will be conducted in February 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) February 8, 2026 to be included in the February 2026 semi-annual rating/ranking process. Bid applications received between February 9, 2026 and June 30, 2026 will be rated/ranked by subject matter expert (SME) panel during the July 2026 semi-annual rating/ranking period. Bid applications received between July 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 will be rated/ranked by subject matter expert (SME) panel during the January 2027 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'.