Job opening: Substation Operator Apprentice I

Salary: $41 per hour

Published at: Feb 02 2024

Company: Bonneville Power Administration

Employment Type: Full-time

The Apprenticeship program is a formal training program consisting of 7 steps for Substation Operator (3 1/2 years). The apprentice must pass an end-of-step review following each 6-month step to remain in the program. Apprentices will be promoted to journeymen after successfully passing the final step review.

Duties

As a Substation Operator Apprentice 1: A successful candidate in the position of Substation Operator Apprentice 1 will, under direct supervision of a journeyman Substation Operator or another journeyman Electrical Worker, operate high voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission system substations and on transmission lines. Specific tasks vary with the type of substation to be operated. Available duty locations: Kalispel, MT; Goshen, OR; North Bend, OR; Redmond, OR; The Dalles, OR; Umatilla, OR; Clarkston, WA; East Wenatchee, WA; Longview, WA; Olympia, WA; Pasco, WA; Richland, WA; Snohomish, WA; Vancouver, WA. Satisfactory completion of all aspects of each step including the correspondence course and classroom instruction is mandatory for advancement to the next step. Failure to meet program requirements contained in the Standard of Apprenticeship will result in removal from the Apprenticeship program. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Substation Operator Apprentice- Must be able to climb and work at various heights averaging 10 feet, rarely up to 60 feet, such as on platforms, ladders and stairs adjacent to high-voltage equipment. Requires good balance to climb ladders and stairs, and perform repair duties while switching and changing fuses and walk on uneven surfaces. Operate motor vehicles. Ability to raise, lower and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length. The Apprentice can expect to be in a travel status approximately 25% of the time since assignments away from the headquarters will be required to complete some of the work processes and training. The total costs of tuition, books, and related materials will be paid by BPA. The Apprentice will be paid for travel and per diem expenses, in accordance with applicable travel regulations, for expenses incurred in connection with mandatory training, including training on scheduled days off. The time spent traveling to the training site and returning from the training site is the employee's responsibility and is not paid for by BPA. Requirements:

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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) or who do not score at least half of the total points possible across all elements will be found ineligible. The screen-out element for this position is: APTITUDE AND INTEREST TO LEARN TRADE THEROY. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications for this position, you must pass an online aptitude examination demonstrating your potential for learning and advancing in an Apprentice position. Failure to pass the examination will result in an ineligible rating. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work as a Substation Operator Apprentice 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 Apprentice may work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding, or stairs. Work may be at heights up to 60 feet. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCB's, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Proper respiratory and safety equipment 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. "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. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. 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.