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 an ELECTRICAL RIGGER FOREMAN III, you will:

• Assigns Duties. Organizes overall schedule of work to be performed and each employee's part in it. Gives detailed instructions to subordinates and assigns them to specific tasks as needed for fullest utilization of individual skills or specialities. Supervises subordinate foremen, journeymen riggers, and journeymen of cooperating crafts in the various phases of loading, unloading, moving and placing large and heavy items of substation equipment. Establishes a field shop and arranges for transportation of employees to and from the job site.
• Maintains Discipline. Establishes standards of performance and conduct for subordinate employees. Insures compliance with administrative regulations, procedures, and working rules.
• Enforces Safety Rules. Organizes and supervises an accident prevention and safety program and instructs crew members in proper work and safety practices. Provides a safe working environment, eliminates hazards, supports safe driving and fire prevention programs. Enforces safety regulations and safe working practices to insure the safety of employees. Investigates all accidents involving persons under own jurisdiction.
• Reviews and Inspects Work. Is responsible for completing assigned supervisory duties properly and effectively. Makes recommendations for the modification of standard working procedures as required during the course of the work. Reviews and inspects the work of subordinates and informs supervisor of unusual conditions or problems found during construction.
• Responsible for Quantity and Quality of Specific Tasks. Is responsible and accountable to the supervisor for the satisfactory and timely completion of all specific tasks involved in the work assigned. Is responsible for work being completed in a manner reflecting a high quality of craftsmanship with minimum waste. Also supervises hazardous waste removal.

• Project Planning. Plans and lays out work to be performed within a broad general assignment. Coordinates and plans the work with other supervisors. Arranges for facilitating equipment services for lifting, welding, transporting, etc., and assures that automotive and transportation equipment are available and properly serviced.
• Coordinates Crews and Activities. Responsible for coordination to see that the different craftsmen, such as operating engineers, teamsters, etc., are working together and performing the total job in a proper and efficient manner. Aids and advises subordinate and other craft foremen, journeymen riggers, and journeymen of cooperating crafts (crane operators, welders, drivers, etc.) in the various phases of rigging activities. Works with and removes hazardous waste.

• Reviews Employees' Performance and Recommends Personnel Actions. Evaluates employees' performance and recommends action as needed to reward, improve skills, increase job satisfaction, improve conduct, resolve employee problems, and develop team spirit.
• Identifies, Plans, and Implements Training. Has general responsibility to utilize skills and experience for improvement and standardization of work procedures and equipment installations. Develops skill of employees in techniques and procedures of the trade. Determines what orientation, instructions, and training crew members need for proper work and safety practices, and provides or arranges for that instruction.
• Reports and Records. Prepares, approves, and forwards all required documents relating to time, leave, per diem, work progress, materials, field purchases, and equipment. Reports problems to supervisor relating to work, materials, safety, or personnel when these are of a nature requiring action by higher authority or reference to other organizations of the Administration. Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor. Accounts for all tools and equipment in custody. Adheres to the regulations of the BPA-CPTC Agreement.

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.
• 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.
• Become familiar with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
• Obtain within 1 year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, Red Cross First Aid Training and CPR training.
• Possess a restricted electrical worker's permit or obtain within 30 days after appointment and maintain continuously thereafter.
• Possess a valid state driver's license. Possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) from state of residence after requirement is established by management. Possess a U.S. Motor Vehicle Operator Authorization or obtain within 30 days after appointment. Additional endorsements on valid drivers license may be required to operate assigned vehicles in compliance with state regulations. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.
• Operate motor vehicles, including sedans, pilot cars, pickups, vans, tools trucks, stakebed trucks, and bucket trucks, with single axles.
• Be certified on aerial lift or other equipment if assigned to use or operate.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Take First Aid refresher training, when possible.
• Participate in all training activities such as training related to hazardous waste handling, oil spill containment and cleanup, and other environmental activities.
• Be able to wear protective apparel such as respirators when required for worker safety.

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 a full range of trucks and equipment, gasoline and diesel-powered semi-tractors or trailer combinations, with GVW up to 500,000 pounds, that are used for the movement and stationing of heavy electrical equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, and reactors, including the operation of rigging tool trucks equipped with winches for loading, unloading and moving heavy equipment and material in areas of restricted clearance and substation switchyards, and load and unloads heavy equipment onto trucks, trailers, and railcars using hydraulic rams, rollers, and winch trucks or cranes. 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading)
• Ability To Lead Or Supervise
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

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 involves continuous travel with frequent changes of temporary duty stations, rarely staying in one town for more than one night. Work is performed outdoors 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 at heights up to 100 feet 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, falls, and burns, and may be exposed to falling objects. Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handles (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. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be systemwide, done at night, or under serious time pressures. System priorities may involve 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.

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/12858469

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'.