Substation Operator Trainee I

Job Overview:

This is a full-time on-site role as a Substation Operator Trainee I at Bonneville Power Administration's location in six different locations (Keizer, OR –Oregon City, OR – Umatilla, OR East Wenatchee, WA - Ellensburg, WA – Gold Creek, MT)

As a Substation Operator Trainee I, your day-to-day tasks will involve operating and maintaining high-voltage electrical equipment, monitoring system performance, will learn a variety of tasks designed to provide experience which will enhance technical understanding and skill in the use of the tools and equipment of the trade.

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

HOW TO APPLY: External Application Link(s):

24-BPA- 40151-12416118-DE: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/791228900

24-BPA- 40151-12416119-MP: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/791227800

Open & Close date: Open: 5/14/2024 Close: 5/23/2024

LOCATION(s) Keizer, OR –Oregon City, OR – Umatilla, OR East Wenatchee, WA - Ellensburg, WA – Gold Creek, MT

As a Substation Operator Trainee I, you will:

· Under direct on-site supervision of a Journeyman operates high voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission system substations and on transmission lines.

· Expected to gain knowledge of the various work processes, high voltage power system equipment, associated protective relays, and become proficient in the use of proper terminology.

· Perform switching under the direct on-site supervision and guidance of a Chief Substation Operator or journeyman Substation Operator.

· Assignments will be made with various other BPA groups and functions to learn their working processes and equipment.

· These assignment areas are, but not limited to, the following:

System Dispatching

Substation Electrical Maintenance

Power Generating Facility

Transmission Line Maintenance

Test and Energization/Construction

System Protection and Control Maintenance

Power System Control Maintenance

The Substation Operator Trainee program is a formal, 20-month program consisting of five, 4-month steps (training periods 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The Trainee must pass oral and written reviews at the end of each step to remain in this program. Trainees will be promoted to journeyman after successfully passing the fifth step review and meeting all other requirements of the position.

In addition to satisfactorily completing the on-the-job training portion of the program, the Trainee is required to complete all assigned lessons associated with periodic classroom instruction sessions and assigned coursework (correspondence, on-line, etc.) during each step of the training program.

Conditions of Employment

• 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 demonstrate satisfactory progress will result in removal from the Trainee program.
• Work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, asbestos, mercury, and solvents, etc., which may have affects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed. If exposed to health hazards or for use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
• 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.
• Become knowledgeable with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual (APM) and applicable safety guidelines and policies.
• Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions to the duty station headquarters.
• Obtain and maintain an Energized Access Permit within two weeks of appointment. When determined by management, obtain and maintain continuously thereafter a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit.
• Possess within the first two weeks of the training program, an Energized Facilities Access Permit. This permit must be maintained until the supervisor determines that a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is needed, usually within the first 4 months of the program. When the determination for a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is made, the permit must be obtained within two weeks and maintained thereafter for the duration of the training program.
• This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants, and can be cause for removal from the program.
• Obtain and maintain equipment operation certifications, as required, for equipment associated with substation operations.
• Obtain and maintain first aid and CPR card within one month of appointment and maintain continuously thereafter.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Operate any type of motor vehicle applicable to assigned duties.
• As part of the job requirements, and at the discretion of the Chief Substation Operator III, the Substation Operator Trainee shall be required to apply restricted use pesticides and may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator's license. The Administration shall provide the necessary training for such a license.
• Obtaining a Standard Clearance Certification and Electrical Worker Permit are mandatory requirements for completion of the Trainee program and advancement to the journeyman level. These requirements must be met no later than 30-days from the successful completion of their final review evaluation.
• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Under the Employee Referral Bonus program, certain BPA employees may be eligible for a monetary award for referring outside candidates for this difficult-to-fill position. The referring employee must complete the form BPA F 33300.01e and email it to careers@bpa.gov by midnight of the closing date of the job posting.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position. 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.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To apply for this position, you 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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54.59 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Supplemental schedule:

• Extended hours
• On call

License/Certification:

• Standard Clearance Certification (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ellensburg, WA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person