Electrician (Maintenance) Job

Vacancy No. 25-BPA-48026-12801887-MP Department Bonneville Power Administration
Salary $68.44 to $68.44 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2025 Close Date 9/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Burley, IDIdaho Falls, IDGold Creek, MTKalispell, MT


Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Substation Maintenance Grand Coulee (TFWJ), Wenatchee District (TFW), 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 an 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.
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

Requirements

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 conditions.

"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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP 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.

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

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy
Veterans Information: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/disabled/
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment.

BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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 eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.

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
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
  • Ability To Use Electrical Drawings
  • Knowledge of Electrical Equipment
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices
  • Trouble shooting (electrical)


Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date ( 09/25/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12801887.

Structured Resume Review: After it has been determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the first two pages of your resume to rate your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. Scores from all reviewers will be compiled and factored into the overall evaluation. Your final score will reflect how well your qualifications and skills align with the position requirements. Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

  • Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of 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.
Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:
  • SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): Most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
  • Veterans: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
  • Certain Military Spouses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
  • Other non-competitive or special appointing authorities: provide documentation which supports your eligibility.
  • 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.

If selected for the position you MUST submit: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and incentive awards, you received in the last 5 years. The assigned HR Specialist will verify review this documentation to ensure selectee has at least a satisfactory performance rating before setting the entrance on duty date. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you will be asked to submit a statement as to why it is not available.

How to Apply

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:

  1. You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account.
  2. To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
  3. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  4. 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://login.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://help.usajobs.gov/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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

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.

Agency contact information

Shaunna Young
Address
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208
US

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.

Additional Locations

  • Goshen, OR
  • Hillsboro, OR
  • Keizer, OR
  • Malin, OR
  • North Bend, OR
  • Redmond, OR
  • The Dalles, OR
  • Umatilla, OR
  • Clarkston, WA
  • Custer, WA
  • East Wenatchee, WA
  • Grand Coulee, WA
  • Kent, WA
  • Longview, WA
  • Olympia, WA
  • Pasco, WA
  • Port Angeles, WA
  • Richland, WA
  • Snohomish, WA
  • Spokane, WA
  • Vancouver, WA


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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