Job opening: Substation Operator

Salary: $60 per hour

Published at: Dec 19 2023

Company: Bonneville Power Administration

Employment Type: Full-time

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in the Substation Ops Redmond (TFRB) organization of the Redmond District (TFR), Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T). A successful candidate in the Substation Operator position will serve in a substation, which is normally staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Duties

As a Substation Operator, you will perform the following duties:

Requirements

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 an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter.
Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
This position requires a preemployment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position. After employment, the position may be subject to periodic physical examinations
If exposed to health hazards, as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense.
(Employees will work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, PCBs, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc., which may have effects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed.)
When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements, that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions, to the duty station headquarters.
Provide a means for contact by the Administration.
Change shifts on short notice or continue on duty in the absence of relief.
Possess within 30 days after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, an Electrical Worker's Permit.
Possess a valid state driver's license. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.
Obtain certification on the equipment associated with substation operations, if assigned to use or operate.
Possess within 90 days after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, a Standard Clearance certification.

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. This job has a screen-out factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. The screen-out element for this position is defined as planning, inspecting, troubleshooting, operating, and documenting switching plans (switch order), and performing switching in a high-voltage electric power substation and associated equipment for a primary electric power system. and applying instructions, diagrams, and schematics to plan and perform work without more than normal supervision. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. In addition to the screen-out element you will be evaluated on the following job elements through your resume and responses to the on-line assessment questionnaire: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal SupervisionAbility To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)Dexterity and SafetyKnowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.Operation of Equipment Relevant to TradeTechnical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)Use of Measuring Instruments 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. This position has a selective placement factor, failure to meet this requirement(s) will result in an ineligible rating: Applicants must possess a current valid U.S. motor vehicle operator's license from state of residence. "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. Working Conditions: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions during the day or night. Work is also performed on uneven, outdoor surfaces, including steep inclines, on rocked or graveled surfaces and unimproved surfaces. Hazards include working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts. The possibility of explosion or fire is ever-present. The Substation Operator may climb stairs, ladders, etc. and work from various heights on platforms, scaffolding, or stairs averaging 4 feet. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCBs, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Personal protective equipment including respirators shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be done at night and/or under time restraints. System priorities may require extended periods of overtime, including working weekends and holidays. Physical Conditions: Essential Functions (those duties encompassed in a job which are indispensable and comprise the gist or substance of the job): Operates energized high and low voltage electrical power transmission system substations following strict procedures and safety requirements. Checks and reviews station conditions. Responsible for station security and safety of others in the station. Performs inspections on all high and low voltage equipment in substations and keeps records. Periodically inspects station, including all components in the switchyard, outlying buildings, and the perimeter of the property. Monitors and operates various communications systems. All processes require clear oral communication. Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks. Drives 15-20% of the time in all weather conditions. Other Requirements: Possess within one year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, a First Aid Card. Follow and enforce the safety practices of BPA. Operate any type of motor vehicles applicable to assigned duties. As part of the job requirements, and, at the discretion of the Regional Office, the Substation Operator shall be required to apply restricted use pesticides and may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator's license. The Administration shall provide the necessary training for such a license. Subject to call for emergency work at any time. May be placed in an available status during off hours subject to negotiated agreement. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.