This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in one of the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Districts of Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T). A successful candidate in this position will independently perform a wide range of professional engineering studies & assignments involved in system integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation, maintenance, & failure analysis for all Power Systems & Control (PSC) systems.

Duties

As an Electronics Engineer, you will: Serve as a consultant and lead advisor on assigned PSC assets integrating state of the art digital communications systems within systems containing obsolete analog systems often involving deviation from standards and guidelines to enable rapid deployment of communication systems impacting the ability to operate the regional power grid. Plan and oversee preventative maintenance to ensure operability, reliability, security, and compliance with BPA and other regulatory agency policies, standards, directives, and guidelines to include recording and reporting any discrepancies found to real-time dispatchers, and operation and maintenance databases. Independently investigate and resolve problems and conditions in PSC systems impacting costs, efficiency, safety, and performance. Perform programming changes; control behavior analysis; calibration of analog inputs; testing of I/O; functional checks for control logic for microprocessor based controls; restoration of service after component or program operation failure;development of software code for programmable logic controllers; use of proportional, integral, derivative, closed loop feedback controls; and use of sophisticated telecommunications test equipment. Lead field investigations for test exercises, perceived, and real cyber-attacks by preserving data, investigating breaches, analyzing data, and establishing recovery files both locally and centrally. Conduct test and energization of new PSC systems and equipment in the District to for all expense and some capital program installations to include that of PSC engineers/craftsmen and contractor installations. Participate in planning, organizing, and directing activities of PSC Engineers and Craftsmen working in the District. Provide constructive project feedback to the District Engineer, T&E Engineer, and/or contractors to correct deficiencies in designs and/or installation.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• 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 {0755}: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/
• The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number {0754}: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/
• 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.

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 is defined as Experience as an Electronics Engineer (1) Performing Power Systems and Control (PSC) systems and equipment integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation and maintenance, and failure analysis; (2) Performing systems or equipment design, testing, and integration work that involved extensive analysis and resolution of conflicting engineering considerations; and (3) Reviewing work practices and procedures and proposing new or modified approaches to accomplishing work. "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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of crouching, bending, or standing, or recurring and considerable walking, stooping, bending, and climbing in performing regular and periodic construction activities, field inspections, or to observe and study work operations. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds (i.e., 23 kilograms), such as equipment and samples. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as high noise levels, toxic or irritating chemicals, and adverse weather conditions at sites. Special safety precautions such as protective clothing and gear are be necessary. The employee may be required to travel approximately 1-5 days per month. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP 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.

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.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 grade level.

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: Kassandra Conner
• Phone: 503-230-5306
• Email: [email protected]