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 Electrical Utility Materials Handler Foreman III, you will:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assign Duties. Plan and schedule daily work assignments to insure maximum use of resources and achievement of priority work. Explain overall nature of work to be performed and each employee's part in it. Direct performance of projects and delegates jobs to subordinates. May be required to direct the activities of truck drivers, equipment operators, and personnel who are assigned from other crafts to work with warehouse crews in the performance of warehousing work.
• Maintain Discipline. Lead, influence and maintain discipline of subordinate employees. Insure compliance with regulations, procedures, and working rules.
• 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. Responsible for organizing and conducting regular safety meetings. Insure that work areas are free of hazards and that subordinates follow safe work practices as prescribed by regulations, laws, and standard practices. Investigate all accidents involving subordinates. Complete required accident reports completely and promptly.
• Review and Inspect Work. Responsible for reviewing and inspecting the work of subordinate employees, while completing assigned job properly and effectively. Inform supervisor of conditions found and work performed.
• Responsible for Quantity and Quality of Specific Tasks. Responsible and accountable to the supervisor for the satisfactory and timely completion of all specific tasks involved in the work performed. Discusses problems and possible work improvements with crew. Takes necessary corrective action to insure accomplishment of workload by revision of methods, changing assignments, or use of equipment and material.

Planning and Scheduling

• Coordinate work schedules with other supervisors to avoid delays, meet deadlines, and satisfy priorities. Prepares and coordinates short- and long-range work plans to accomplish workload, including preparation of time and material cost estimates. May work with contractors to meet workload requirements. Recommends and evaluates purchase of new tools and equipment required to maintain high standards of quality and efficiency.

Administrative

• Review Employees' Performance and Recommends Personnel Actions. Continuously, evaluates employees' performance and is responsible for the timely completion of the performance appraisal. Recommend required actions to reward, improve skills, increase job satisfaction, improve conduct, resolve employee problems, and develop team spirit. Recommend personnel actions and official commendations to the Supervisor.
• 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. Orient new employees to the crew and explains nature and purpose of project. Identify specific training needs of employees and implements or recommends such training to the Supervisor.
• Reports and Records. Prepare and forward required documents relating to time, leave, per diem, work progress, materials, field purchases, and equipment. Report problems relating to work, materials, safety, or personnel to the supervisor when these are of a nature requiring action by higher authority or referral to other offices of the Administration. Report all accidents immediately to the supervisor. Account for all tools and equipment in custody.
• Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). May be required to function as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). In carrying out this authority, incumbent monitors performance and compliance with the contract to ensure that BPA receives goods or services that conform to the technical requirements set forth in the contract. Such duties as COTR include, but are not limited to: reviewing and evaluating technical progress, financial reports and other documents; performing production surveillance and status reporting, timely reporting of inadequacies noted in specifications or performance, monitoring the use of Government property; assuring that modifications to work to be performed under the contract are not implemented before a written modification is issued by the Contracting Officer (CO); informing the CO of situations that could become a basis for future claims; interpreting technical specifications; approval of Contractor's reports and other materials; preparation of receiving reports; review and certification of invoices; and rejection of nonconforming services, materials, or equipment.

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.

• First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period.
• Become familiar with and follow agency rules and regulations such as but not limited to the Warehouse Playbook, BPA Accident Prevention Manual, DOT, EPA, and OSHA regulations applicable to this position
• If exposed to health hazards, have periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense. Note: Employees may work in close proximity to substances, such as asbestos, acids, PCB's, pesticides, mercury, solvents, etc., which may have effect on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed and proper PPE worn
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Required to possess a valid state driver's license and obtain a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Authorization or obtain one within 30 days after appointment. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.
• Able to obtain non-electrical worker permit if required
• Within one year after appointment be certified for First Aid and CPR (provided by BPA) and maintain certification thereafter.
• Must pass onsite material handling equipment certification including but not limited to: pickup, flatbed, van-type truck, forklift, overhead crane, and platform lifts which may operate in narrow and constricted warehouses aisles
• Able to fitted for (must be clean shaven) and able to wear protective apparel such as respirators when required for worker safety.
• May be required to serve as Contracting Officers Representative for BPA grants and agreements; this duty includes additional training and certification.
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
• 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.

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: the ability to lead or supervise, observes tasks in progress associated with the handling of materials, supplies, parts, tools, and equipment connected in the construction and maintenance of the electrical transmission 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 Materials
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in areas that may be hot, damp, cold, drafty, wet, muddy, or poorly lit. Requires ability to work outside in all weather conditions. Requires working at heights such as from scaffolding, motorized buckets, and ladders on occasion.
• May require travel to remote sites. Occasional work in field areas along transmission corridors where work areas are exposed to sloping ground, drop off and other natural conditions existing in primitive outdoor settings.
• Exposure to hazards typical of working around machinery with moving parts. Occasionally work will include high noise levels or exposure to hazardous substances (asbestos, acids, PCB's, pesticides, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could pose a health risk if precautions are not followed and proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not worn.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available. Required to wear various levels of PPE (hearing protection, respiratory protection, hard hats, protective clothing and gloves, safety glasses; knee pads if required, safety harnesses, dielectric boots, insulated rubber or leather gloves). Proper respiratory apparatus and protective apparel shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:
Incumbent 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/12859619

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'.