This position is located in Operations Planning (TOOP) organization of Operations Support (TOO), Transmission System Operations (TO), Transmission Services (T). A successful candidate in the Electrical engineering position will serve as a technical specialist responsible for providing specialized products and operations support for real-time dispatch of the Transmission System and expert advice to senior colleagues and BPA officials responsible program operations within the area of expertise.

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

• 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.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR- Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. -OR- Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. -OR- Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's 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) applying electrical engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods for the monitoring, operation, and control of a power system (distribution, generation, or transmission) to ensure safe and reliable operations in compliance with applicable reliability standards, 2) conducting troubleshooting and engineering studies to maintain operations under various power system conditions, and 3) providing written and oral technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders. "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.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

Contacts

• Address Bonneville Power Administration P.O. Box 3621 Portland, OR 97208 US
• Name: Deric Sanchez
• Phone: 505-450-6204
• Email: [email protected]