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.

Videos

As a Senior System Dispatcher, you will:

• Assign Duties. Assigns tasks to Generation/Remedial Action Scheme Dispatchers, System Dispatchers, Assistant Dispatchers and Assistant Dispatcher Trainees assigned to the shift to best accomplish the function of the Control Center. Tasks are assigned in accordance with the individual's ability, need for training and the requirements of the tasks to be performed.
• Maintain Discipline. Leads, influences and maintains discipline of employees being supervised. Ensures compliance with regulations, procedures and working rules.
• Enforce Safety Rules. Actively participates in the BPA safety program. Instructs employees in proper work practices and safety rules to ensure safety to all workers.
• Review and Inspect Work. Analyzes and evaluates the work performed by subordinate personnel.
• Responsible For Quantity and Quality of Specific Tasks. Assures that all dispatching tasks are carried out promptly and correctly and that the quality of work minimizes the danger to life and property and promotes the integrity, security and reliability of the interconnected electric power system.
• Project Planning. Acquires power to cover the loss of Federal generation and to provide adequate operating reserves. Calls out BPA personnel and/or hires personnel and equipment from outside BPA to make emergency patrols or repairs. Directs the implementation of schedule cuts or load dropping to restore the BPA system within reliability limits, within the time constraints imposed by BPA, NERC and WECC.
• Emergency Outage Planning. Approve and coordinate unscheduled system equipment outages for emergency repairs. Coordinates real time system trouble analysis, restoration and repair.
• Coordination of Various Crews and Activities. Supervises and coordinates the activities of all dispatching personnel on shift, as well as other personnel who are assigned to the dispatching function.
• Coordination with Various Entities. Works directly with the WECC Northwest Reliability Coordinator. Oversees coordination with other Utilities, Control Areas, TBL Schedulers, PBL Schedulers and Generating Plants. Provide guidance to other dispatchers and if necessary resolve disagreements between entities. Arranges for emergency patrols or repairs as needed.
• Review Employees' Performance. Advises personnel under supervision of methods and procedures to improve work performance. Conducts annual performance reviews and provides input to the Manager concerning employee performance. Approves leave in the absence of the Manager. Reviews the work schedule to assure minimum coverage for the next shift. Has authority to staff above the minimum staffing level on an as needed basis.
• Identify, Plan and Implement Training. Administers, coordinates and/or supervises training programs conducted by and for various Dispatcher classifications. Makes recommendations to the Manager regarding the training needs of dispatching personnel.
• Records and Reports. Assures accuracy and completeness of the Dispatcher's Log and prepares the Daily Interruption Report. Makes the daily helicopter line trouble report recording and requests line patrols as needed. Makes recommendations for changes in operating and dispatching procedures and instructions, relaying schemes, remedial action schemes, communications facilities, power system lines and substation equipment.
• Notifications. Notify Management, up to and including the Administrator, of severe BPA or other system emergencies or threats. Provide initial notifications to DOE, WECC, Media Services and Law Enforcement.

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.

• Position is subject to initial pre-employment Drug Testing and random drug testing thereafter.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• You must be a United States Citizen.
• 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.
• Change shifts on short notice or continue on duty in the absence of relief.
• Become familiar with, follow and enforce the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
• Work Relief when required.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Maintain Standard Clearance Certification.
• Maintains required system dispatcher/operator reliability certifications (e.g., NERC, WECC)
• Subject to Random Drug tests.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Automatic Generation Control, Remedial Action Scheme and Interconnected System Operation practices necessary to ensure a reliable transmission system. The ability to assume control of both Control Centers for emergency backup under any conditions.

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 a team and assist in planning the safe performance of dispatching tasks, ensuring they are carried out promptly and correctly and that the quality of work minimizes the danger to life and property and promotes the integrity, security, and reliability of the interconnected electric power system. 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. (other than blueprints)
• Ability To Lead Or Supervise
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Operation of Equipment Relevant to Trade
• 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:
System Dispatchers provide 24 hour a day, 365 days a year staffing of the Control Centers, utilizing rotating shift coverage. The work is indoors in an air conditioned and artificial light environment. The work is mostly sedentary, but occasionally requires climbing ladders. This work can be very intense and very stressful. The tolerance for errors is near zero and safety is the highest priority.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. The duties are performed on rotating shifts. Physical demands include climbing a system group display board ladder. Mental strain may result from the responsibility of following exacting procedures under emergency conditions. The Senior System Dispatcher must be able to give concise and clear directions and elicit full detailed information by use of the telephone or radio. The Senior System Dispatcher must have good distance vision in one eye and the ability to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. They must be able to distinguish the basic colors, specifically red, orange, yellow, brown, blue, green and purple in order to distinguish electrical components and to read and adjust color video display terminals. They must have the ability to hear the conversational voice. Incumbents must be in good physical condition sufficient to safely perform the duties of the position.

"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/12856986

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 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) 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'.