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Electronic Integrated Systems Mechanic (Protection and Communication)

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Sierra Nevada Region, Maintenance (N5B30)

Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region. As an Electronic Integrated Systems Mechanic (Protection and Communication), you will be involved in the end-to-end technical management-installation, programming, testing, and repair-of critical power grid infrastructure.


**THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION**

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/07/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$86.45 - $86.45 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WB 00
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Elverta, CA
Folsom, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational, as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - Same day and/or overnight travel
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
26-WN-00454-12928413-DE
Control number
864184400

Duties

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As an Electronic Integrated Systems Mechanic (Protection and Communication), some of your duties will include but are not limited to:

  • Maintain, repair, modify, program, install and commission power system substation protection control, monitoring and metering equipment.
  • Maintain, repair, install, program, and test polyphase revenue metering equipment, including electronic and microprocessor-based kilowatt-hour meters, digital demand recorders, and instrument transformers.
  • Maintain, repair, install, program, and test control equipment used in controlling substation equipment.
  • Perform work on automatic generation control (AGC) equipment, and supervisory control equipment (i.e. remote terminal units, data processors, modem banks).
  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair malfunctions in supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and analog, digital telemetering equipment.

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.
  • Position is subject to random drug testing.
  • You must pass pre-employment drug testing.
  • You must pass pre-employment medical examination at federal expense.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements- Moderate Risk.
  • This position is subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
  • You are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • This position requires the incumbent to climb transmission structures averaging 65 feet but up to 500 feet on occasion, and communication towers up to 400 feet.
  • This position requires a climbing weight (personal weight without gear) not to exceed 280 pounds.
  • This position is designated as Emergency Essential.
  • 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.
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position.

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. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess these elements and screen out. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the elements and screen out identified below.

The screen-out element for this position is below. Failure to meet this screen out element will result in an ineligible rating:

  • Ability to do the work of a Protection and Communication Journeyman independently without a greater than normal level of supervision; install and commission, or maintain and repair, protective relay equipment, and polyphase revenue metering equipment, and SCADA and communications equipment associated with power systems distribution or transmission systems.

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.

"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.

PHYSICAL EFFORT
May lift and carry loads over 50 pounds, often in outdoor environments that pose difficult terrain issues. May work in close, restricted quarters. Standing, bending, or stooping for long periods of time may be required. May be required to hike, climb, or use other methods to get to remote equipment sites as local terrain and climate conditions require. Must be able to climb communication towers up to 400 feet or as required. Tower work includes tower inspection, hanging coax, changing tower lamps, installing various antenna and associated hardware and tightening or loosening hardware.

WORK CONDITIONS
Work is indoors; however, outdoor activities are frequently encountered. Work is on or around energized sources. Work often requires much driving, often alone and in adverse weather conditions. Work can require considerable travel requiring temporary lodging away from duty station. May be required to travel in a fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, snow mobile, or snow cat to work sites.


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 recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

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, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles with the same score. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are listed at the top of the certificate in the order of their ratings unless the job is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Category Rating Procedure:
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, your resume, supporting documentation, and questionnaire/assessment responses will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the rating assessment(s) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three predefined quality categories. These categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.

Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Simultaneous Listing: Candidates may be referred simultaneously on multiple certificates for which they are interested, eligible, and within reach.

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):
  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Theory of Electronics
  • Troubleshooting (Electronic Equipment)
  • Use of Test Equipment: Electronics


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 (04/20/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12928413.

Western Area Power Administration

WAPA
Join the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Team - Discover Your Next Professional Adventure!

At WAPA, we do more than keep the lights on. As part of the Department of Energy, we are a collective of compassionate innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to delivering clean, renewable, and reliable federal hydroelectric power.

Why WAPA?

We provide reliable and cost-effective hydropower and transmission services, operating across 15 states with over 17,000 miles of transmission lines. Our mission is to ensure that 40 million people have access to power. We lead in renewable resources, energy efficiency, and advanced technology with our strategic plan, Power Forward 2030. Our priority is your career growth and development, with comprehensive training and professional opportunities in a supportive environment. Enjoy competitive salaries, a robust retirement plan, health benefits, flexible schedules, and a work-life balance that values your well-being. Join our diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice is heard and celebrated.

Power Your Career with WAPA

Ready to be part of our dynamic team? Apply to our current openings and take the first step towards a rewarding career that empowers both the West and your future.

Your skills. Our legacy. A shared Future. Are you in?

Agency contact information

PMA Careers
Email
PMACareers@wapa.gov
Address
WAPA-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region
12155 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228
US

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