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Program Manager (Power Operations)

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Rocky Mountain Region - Power System Operations(J4000)

Summary

The Power Operations Manager for WAPA's Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) provides critical leadership in power system operations. This role involves planning and managing all regional power facilities, as well as negotiating and administering contracts for power sales, purchases, and related transactions.

*This is not a remote position, you will be required to report to the Loveland, CO office.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2026 to 01/30/2026
Salary
$164,956 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Loveland, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-WJ-000131-12862678-IMP
Control number
854690800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is only open to current Western Area Power Administration employees on a career or career-conditional competitive service appointment.

Duties

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As a Program Manager (Power Operations), you will:

  • Direct the preparation and implementation of power resource requirement studies and generation scheduling.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (FERC, NERC, WECC) for transmission facilities.
  • Coordinate with internal and external teams on hydraulic and operational plans for integrated power systems.
  • Represent WAPA and RMR in various electric utility forums and liaisons with stakeholders.
  • Perform full supervisory duties for a diverse workforce, including performance management and training.
  • Manage balancing authority energy management systems (EMS) and meter/scheduling data processing.

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.
  • This position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle. The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
  • You may be required to complete a financial disclosure (OGE-450).
  • Security clearance and associated requirements - non sensitive, High.
  • This position may be part of a Bargaining Unit.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. The experience need not have been in the federal government.

To be qualified at the GS-15: Applicants must have one (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band in Federal Service. This experience includes all of the following:

  • Managed cross-jurisdictional power flows and interchanges, negotiating agreements with neighboring balancing authorities to enhance system flexibility and market participation.
  • Developed and executed real-time operational strategies for managing system contingencies, minimizing service interruptions, and restoring power efficiently during grid disturbances.
  • Engaged directly with preference power customers to understand their evolving energy needs, negotiate service level agreements, and address operational concerns to maintain strong relationships.
  • Facilitated multi-agency working groups to ensure alignment on critical infrastructure projects, emergency response protocols, and long-term regional energy planning initiatives.

Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.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.
  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification. These certifications may be subject to public disclosure.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • Salary: General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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 Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the scores provided from the SME resume review to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified."

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

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', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Compliance
  • Customer Service
  • EA Accountability
  • Program Management

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

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 (01/30/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862678.

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