Electrical Engineer

Duties

As an Electrical Engineer, you will:

• Develops and manages near-term transmission paths and flow gate System Operating Limits (SOLs) in direct support of real-time operation and management of the multi-state transmission grid by Bonneville and Reliability Coordinator (RC) dispatchers.
• Provides technical information to actively guard against large-scale (multi-state) blackouts, while being prepared to respond to such large-scale transmission system disturbances, should man-made or natural causes instigate one. This includes but is not limited to working with emergency response teams, agencies, and coordinators and being prepared to work from an alternate location during such emergencies.
• Provides real-time power system analysis support to system dispatchers in support of unplanned or abnormal system conditions. Responds to after-hour callback either via telecommute location or by returning to duty station.
• Provides outage coordination support with the requesting entities, by facilitating and planning for complex outages across a multi-state region, including analyzing the system impact of those outages and making recommendations for changes.
• Provides Seasonal Study coordination by working with peers in federal, regional, public, and investor-owned entities for paths and flowrates within the Federal Columbia River Transmission System spanning the multi-state region in the Northwest.
• Serves as a NERC/WECC compliance subject matter expert and performs work in compliance with all relevant standards. When NERC or WECC standards are created or revised within the employee's expertise, participates directly as a member of drafting team or submits comments to drafting team to develop, change, influence and shape important national policies for delivering reliable electric power.
• Provides technical consultation to Dispatch and conducting formal Dispatcher classroom style training. Writes Dispatcher Standing Orders used by Dispatch to guide their actions as they operate the Federal Columbia River Transmission System across a multi-state region.
• Employee serves as expert advisor on operational issues impacting developing BPA commercial policies including but not limited to Transmission sales, inter-utility operating agreements, and innovative regional marketing structures impacting entire Northwest region of the United States such as Security Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED), Energy Imbalance Markets (EIM), and Demand Response (DR).
• Provides and develops guidance, methods, criteria, and direction to multiple internal and external stakeholders on power system operations policies and technical issues.
• Performs innovative research and development for the creation of new scientific theories, tools, methods, concepts and models for the analysis of large-scale transmission systems impacting the well being of substantial numbers of people.
• Acts as spokesperson for assigned activities, and serves as program liaison with other activities. Coordinates assignments with those of engineers in other disciplines or engineers who are specialists in other subject-matter areas. Maintains continuing relationships with managers, employees and contractors within Bonneville.

Requirements

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 period.
• This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 3 days per pay period
• This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
• The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 0754: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/
• Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.
• Carrying a BPA provided cell phone and responding to after hours call back is required.
• Working with emergency response teams, agencies, and coordinators and being prepared to work from an alternate location during such emergencies are required.
• Position entails NERC mandated training per PER 005 v2 in order for BPA to maintain compliance.
• Position is designated as Transmission Function Employee (TFE) per FERC Standards of Conduct, order 717.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you MUSTprovide a complete application package which includes:

  • Your RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
  • Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
  • Transcripts, ifspecific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
  • Veterans' Preference documentation,ifapplicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation,if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

  Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  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.

• How to Apply

  Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
  The application process is as follows:

  • You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.

  • To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.

  • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.

  • You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.

  You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
  To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
  If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

  Agency contact information

  Deric Sanchez

  Phone

  505-450-6204

  Email

  DISanchez@bpa.gov

  Address

  Bonneville Power Administration
  P.O. Box 3621
  Portland, OR 97208
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
  You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
  You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
  Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job-this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.
  In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
  

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents