Summary
This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Transmission Field Services (TF), Transmission Services (T).
A successful candidate in the Electrician (Maintenance) position will maintain and repair electrical equipment in Substations. The maintenance aspects include routine inspection, modification, troubleshooting, and repair of facilities.
Duties
As a Electrician, you will:
- Installing and adjusting major electrical equipment. Major equipment items are power transformers and gas, oil, or air-insulated power circuit breakers. Installation and adjustment tasks include erection of equipment by putting components together. Components mounted on transformers include bushings, conservators, radiators, fans, pumps, recording instruments, and load tap changers.
- Maintenance and Repair of major electrical equipment. All major electrical equipment in substations is serviced by Electricians on a regular schedule.
- Control and Relay Panel Assembly. Panels are drilled and instruments, switches, lights, and relays are mounted and wired according to design drawings in a shop setting for installation in Substations in the field.
- Switchboard installation. Prewired relay and control panels are added to switchboards in Substations.
- Communications equipment installation. These tasks involve mounting or adjusting antennas, reflectors, transmitting or receiving devices, emergency power supplies, and other equipment located in microwave or radio stations.
- Steel structure erection. Racks and towers to support electrical equipment in Substations are assembled by Electricians.
- Ground mats, conduit, duct and trench system installation.
- Taking clearances. To safely work on high-voltage equipment, it is necessary to properly deenergize and ground it according to switching procedures in the Accident Prevention Manual.
- Perform switching. At times an Electrician will be required to isolate a piece of equipment for repair or maintenance at dispatcher's discretion.
Conditions of Employment
Special Conditions of 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.
- 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 2 days per pay period.
- Become fully knowledgeable of and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
- Possess within 1 year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, a First Aid Card and a CPR card.
- Possess a clearance certificate and an electrical worker's permit or obtain them within 1 year of appointment and maintain continuously thereafter.
- Possess a valid state driver's license at the time of employment. Once employed the incumbent will also be required to provide proof of a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) with all endorsements that are required to operate equipment from the state of residence within 120 days after appointment. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants.*
- Be certified on aerial lift or other equipment if assigned to use or operate.
- Take First Aid refresher training, when possible.
- Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
- Drive two and four-wheel drive vehicles, which may include towing various equipment trailers.
- Be able to wear protective apparel such as respirators when required for worker safety.
- Those positions at Richland will be required to take annual radiation training and pass a written exam.
- During the first year, new hires will be required to successfully complete the Power System Electrician orientation training.
- 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.
- 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.
Qualifications
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.
The screen-out element for this position is:
The ability to successfully perform the work of a High Voltage Electrician is defined as having performed the majority of the following duties under normal supervision; maintaining, installing, modifying, calibrating, repairing of; electrical sub-stations, power generation/transmission/distribution equipment and systems at 11,000 to 500,000 volts; climbing, maintaining and repairing electrical sub-stations; transformer banks. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed under the direction of an Electrician Foreman. The degree of supervision depends on the tasks being performed and the working conditions. Less hazardous conditions require minimum supervision. Guidance in the form of operating instructions and the Accident Prevention Manual is available. The Electrician is responsible for good work practices and for completion of tasks in a manner which will insure personal safety, the safety of the crew, and minimize equipment damage or failure and interruption of service. Overtime work to meet the needs of system reliability will be required. Documents work performed, noting existing conditions and any special circumstances. Reports all accidents, including near-misses, to the Foreman. May write reports or memorandums. Occasionally the Electrician directs other Electricians, Electrician Helpers, Oil Filter Operators, and Apprentices. The Electrician is also responsible for providing guidance in the form of training apprentice Electricians and other journeyman Electricians in the skills of the trade. Electricians are accountable for government-owned assigned personal property. They are also responsible for the proper care of tools, vehicles, and other work equipment that they use. Electricians must comply with all relevant aspects of management directed activities such as programs for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste material.
Physical Requirements:
Essential Functions (those duties encompassed in a job which are indispensable and comprise the gist or substance of the job):
- Installs and adjusts (construction) major electrical equipment such as power transformer and gas, oil, or air-insulated power circuit breakers; instrument and station service transformers, disconnect and circuit switches, protective devices, static capacitors, batteries and charges.
- Maintains and repairs (maintenance) major electrical equipment in substations. When equipment fails, performs emergency repairs.
- Performs diagnostic testing to inspect parts and equipment.
- Performs work in shops on equipment components including bushings, motors, small power tools, etc. Assembles, installs, and modifies control and relay panels for substations.
- Assembles and erects steel racks and towers to support equipment.
- Installs and changes antennas, reflectors, transmitting or receiving devices, emergency power supplies, and other equipment located in microwave or radio stations.
- Occasionally takes clearances and performs switching to isolate a piece of equipment for repair.
- Conduit and trenches for equipment are installed under the service yard. Cables are pulled through the conduit.
- Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks.
- Drives 20-25% of the time in all-weather conditins.
"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.
This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.
Education
There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This public notice is to gather applications for current and future vacancies that may or may not result in a referral or selection. Applications will expire 90 days after receipt.
This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Electrician (Maintenance) positions in the 2810 series. Under the DHA, all applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement, at the grade level they are applying, will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.
Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).
If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement to be referred for consideration.
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/16/2024) of this announcement.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12208696.
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
- Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
- Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
- Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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.
The application process is as follows:
- You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
- To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
- You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
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