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Electrical Engineer

Bonneville Power Administration
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ELECTRICAL ENGINEER,

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), within the Transmission Services (T), Transmission Field Services (TF), Operations and Maintenance (O&M.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.

External Application Link(s):   HOW TO APPLY      

    25-BPA-47483-12801465--DE: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/846165200

    25-BPA-47483-12801464-MP : https://www.usajobs.gov/job/846165400

Open & Close date:     Open: 09/16/2025    Close: 09/25/2025

LOCATION(s)             Multiple Locations (18)

SALARY:                     See announcement for salary

A successful candidate in Electrical Engineer position will serve as a SPC field engineer maintaining equipment in the District which is essential for continuity of electrical power delivered throughout the Northwest.

As an Electrical Engineer, you will: (GS-07/09)

  • Work with manufacturers, BPA and other contractor resources for design, test, and integration of new and/or experimental equipment that extends the technology of the industry.
  • Investigate and resolve problems and conditions in electrical SPC systems and equipment impacting costs, efficiency, safety, and performance.
  • Conduct detailed, comprehensive engineering studies to determine cause of equipment failures.
  • Conduct test and energization of new SPC systems and equipment in the District. Determines the compatibility of the new equipment with the existing, and devises an integration plan which protects the continuity of the power system.
  • Examine scheme design for conformance with accepted practice in the specialized field.
  • Investigate equipment malfunction and takes or recommends corrective action, depending on the nature of the problem and equipment involved.
  • Perform fault calculations and coordination relay settings both within BPA and to review and coordinate with adjoining utilities.
  • Provide engineering advice and services on system operation, equipment theory, and equipment problems to BPA and other utility personnel in the district as well as external utilities.

REQUIREMENTS: 

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration

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.

Key Requirements:

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Conditions of Employment

  • This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
  • 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.
  • Requires ability to perform effectively under stress for extended periods of time in hazardous situations interact/communicate with others; comprehend and follow directions; work both independently and as a team member; make decisions and judgments; maintain flexibility in performing a variety of tasks, pay attention to detail, follow safety rules; operate vehicles and equipment safely; read and comprehend manuals, maps and blueprints, math/geometric skills, basic computer skills. Work may involve working alone and in isolated locations.
  • Work is performed primarily indoors with travel to remote sites required. Requires the ability to perform work outside in all weather conditions. Occasional exposure to hazards typical of working around high voltage equipment. Occasional exposure to loud noises. May at times work with various chemicals. MSDS are available. Required to wear various levels of PPE (hearing protection, respiratory protection, hard hats, safety glasses, cold weather gear; safety belts and harnesses, rubber or leather gloves).
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

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: 

Please visit Basic Requirements for more information.

(See Qualification Section for the rest of these competences) 

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:

In addition to the meeting the basic requirement, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience.

GS-07: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience using practical knowledge of basic electrical engineering concepts and methods to investigate electrical equipment malfunction by following standard procedures.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

  • One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor's degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education.

GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience using practical knowledge of electrical engineering concepts and methods to perform analysis on electrical equipment failures by following established procedures, conducting tests, and interpreting results to recommend effective corrective actions.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

  • Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).

GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience participating in electrical engineering studies, analysis, and testing activities related to the operation, maintenance, or construction of a transmission or distribution power system.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

  • Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience applying electrical engineering principles, concepts, and practices to transmission or distribution power systems, specifically related to System Protection and Control (SPC) systems and equipment including experience with protective relaying, metering, telemetering, alarm and data logging systems, and control schemes supporting the design, integration, operation, or maintenance of such systems.
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level.

"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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility.

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".

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:   

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package. 

 (See Required Documents section on application).

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.