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Information Technology Specialist (APPSW/SYSADMIN)

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
OCIO, SCADA Systems (A2703 and A2704)

Summary

As an IT Specialist (APPSW/SYSADMIN), you will serve as both a project manager and key technical expert in order to provide and deliver software and systems planning, analysis, design, project management and maintenance support for Critical Control Center Systems software applications required to support the real time operation of an interconnected utility.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This is an onsite position. Telework eligible ONLY for situational telework at the discretion of management.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$106,437 - $144,741 per year

Phoenix, AZ: $111,338 to $144,741; Watertown, SD: $106,437 to $138,370

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel up to 10% annually may be required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-WA-01190-13055367-IMP
Control number
883739400

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 Information Technology Specialist (APPSW/SYSADMIN), you will

  • Develop EMS-related solutions with internal customers, outside entities (other utilities & vendors), other IT staff, and managers from across the organization.
  • Review and analyze functional requirements of power system operations for dispatch and operation of the power system. Provide recommendations on systems strategies designed to meet functional requirements.
  • Implement, test, install, maintain, enhance and support system software and applications to include EMS patches, application simulation software, EMS database systems and special purpose application software in support of power operations systems.
  • Implement, test, and provide quality assurance for SCADA configuration and modeling, and integration with external systems including historian, ICCP, and advanced applications systems.
  • Provide EMS technical guidance or recommendations to management, customers, and other IT specialists.
  • Serves as the project manager/lead for multiple, simultaneous IT projects throughout WAPA/assigned region.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements- High Risk.
  • 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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's 2-pg resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least two (2) of the following:

  • Solve complex EMS database and display issues including diagnosing system problems, supporting real-time monitoring and control tools, and integrating hardware/software components including remote terminal units (RTUs) and data communications.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentoring for less experienced staff as a subject matter expert (SME) in Energy Management System (EMS) database and display functions in systems such as the GE PowerOn system or the OSI Aspentech Monarch system.
  • Analyze and translate functional requirements from business partners/customers (such as a SCADA functional request from Power System Operations or Marketing) into technical specifications and develop solutions for the business partner/customer.


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.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. 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.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum 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). Only applicants meeting or exceeding the minimum required level of proficiency will move forward.

Structured Interview Review: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires a subject matter expert (SME) structured interview. A structured interview is an assessment method designed to measure job-related competencies of candidates by systematically inquiring about their behavior in past experiences and/or their proposed behavior in hypothetical situations. If applicable, you may be contacted to schedule an interview with the SMEs. Only applicants meeting or exceeding the minimum required level of proficiency will move forward.

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 rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified."

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):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Information Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Competence

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 (09/21/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055367.

Western Area Power Administration

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

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

Why WAPA?

We market and transmit wholesale electric power generated from 57 federally owned hydroelectric power plants across a 15-state region with over 17,000 miles of transmission lines. As one of the nation's largest transmission providers, WAPA brings wholesale power to market, at cost-based rates, to preference customers such as public utilities and cooperatives, municipalities, national security facilities, and irrigation districts.

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.

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 Headquarters
12155 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Western Area Power Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc8BuCJpzbI?si=Ag5NQzaFHe7i7ahJ

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