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.

As a Public Utilities Specialist (Rates), you will:

• Exercise lead responsibility for development and analysis and preparation of transmission service tariffs including point- to-point, network transmission service and ancillary services for assigned transmission system.
• Apply cost models and Power Repayment Studies to evaluate costs and revenue requirements, incorporating applicable tariff changes and/or FERC orders to ensure compliant, cost-reflective rate structures.
• Coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including customers, management, federal agencies, and industry groups, to achieve consensus on rate strategies and repayment.
• Serve as a technical expert representing WAPA in matters regarding Transmission Services revenue recovery and revenue application to project repayment for both external customers and customer groups, as well as senior level management within WAPA and other Federal Agencies.

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.
• 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.
• This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle. The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, 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.
• The employee is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450), upon entering the position and annually.
• Total salary varies depending on location of position.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-12] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

1. Developing, building, and implementation of transmission, ancillary service rate designs and/or conducting comprehensive power repayment studies (PRS).
2. Utilizing automated financial and data management systems and advanced computer applications to query, extract, and perform in-depth data analysis on high-volume data sets.
3. Collaborating across a wide variety of professional contacts, stakeholders, and customers to provide information and resolve complex problems and disputes.
4. Analyzing and tracking historical and forecasted data (such as generation, sales, revenues, purchases, transmission services or operating costs) to analyze and evaluate impacts on power and/or transmission rates.

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.

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 Office 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.

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 (11/20/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13110218.