Electrical Engineer

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in SPC Longview (TFVD), Longview District (TFV), Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T).

A successful candidate in the Electrical Engineer position will serve as a technical expert and senior engineer responsible for system integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation and maintenance, and failure analysis for all SPC systems and equipment in the District.

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:

1. 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-
2. 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-
3. 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-
4. 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 in leading a project or team or serve as a technical expert performing relay setting calculations related to electrical systems in support of maintenance or construction activities, such as protective relaying, metering, supervisory control, data acquisitions, telemetering, stability controls, or microprocessor-based control systems.

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

Physical Demands: 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 may 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.

Responsibilities:

As an Electrical Engineer, you will:

• Serves as the System Protection Control (SPC) District Engineer and the technical expert for system integration, modification, redesign, troubleshooting, installation, operation and maintenance, and failure analysis for all SPC systems and equipment in the District and for working 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.
• Assignments involve conceiving and/or applying experimental theories and/or new applications or developments to extend or modify theories, concepts, and assumptions; resolving unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; and/or significantly altering standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques applicable to maintenance, troubleshooting, installation, and/or engineering design of high voltage alternating current power systems control and protection systems and equipment.
• Executes significant projects representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs and affecting the welfare of the public and the sustainability of natural resources and the environment.
• Plans, organizes, and directs activities of SPC engineers and craftsmen working in the District to plan the prioritized requirements for resources to be used.
• Investigates and resolves problems and conditions in electrical SPC systems and equipment impacting costs, efficiency, safety, and performance.
• Performs a full range of project management and/or project engineering functions. Plans, manages, coordinates, and oversees projects.