Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from current agency employees in the competitive service only.

For more information visit: Office of Administrative Litigation (OAL).

As an Energy Industry Analyst, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Serving as a subject matter and regulatory policy expert in the resolution of cases set for hearing of extraordinarily complex or precedent-setting policy issues associated with the regulation of natural gas and/or oil pipeline companies, hydroelectric projects and/or electric utilities. Independently preparing settlement offers, testimony, and exhibits which detail the analysis performed and providing the underlying support for staff's recommendation or conclusion and testifying as an expert witness at Commission formal proceedings.
• Guiding and reviewing the preparation of case-specific cost of service inserts, top sheets, exhibits and testimony for competence, completeness, and consistency. Guiding and reviewing the preparation of discovery requests to gather necessary factual information from parties in litigated proceedings. Preparing data requests, settlement proposals, and testimony based on the review/analysis, which contain a discussion of economic and regulatory policy issues as well as related recommExplaining staff’s position on novel or extraordinarily complex and controversial technical issues in settlement conferences, hearings, and team meetings with other Commission staff.
  Discussing positions and issues in team meetings, meeting with company representatives and discussing issues, asking questions of team members and company representatives, and answering questions in meetings and conferences.
• Mentoring, coaching, or leading teams of technically trained and specialized engineers, rate
  specialists, economists, accountants, and attorneys in connection with the regulation of rates charged for hydroelectric projects, electric transmission and/or gas and/or oil transportation services which have a substantial impact on the country’s economy. As a team leader, defining tasks, establishing deadlines, and identifying training, developmental needs, and resources necessary to deliver a quality work product. Attending case team meetings and assisting team members in completing shared work products.
• Increasing own and others’ knowledge and understanding of relevant Commission precedent
  and policies, relevant regulations, and changes in the electric, natural gas pipeline, oil pipeline, and/or hydroelectric industries that do or could affect the work done by the office.
  Demonstrating understanding and assisting others in understanding extraordinarily complex issues affecting the work of OAL. Reading Commission orders and precedent-setting Commission Opinions, reading the relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations. Reading
  articles and industry publications to keep current on relevant events affecting regulated
  entities and sharing knowledge of relevant industry events with colleagues through discussions, emails, memos, or leading in-house training and presentations on subjects relevant to Commission regulated industries.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must provide your SF-50 (see Required Documents section).
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• A background investigation is required.
• **This is a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.

Time-in-grade requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You must meet qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To view the eligibility and qualification requirements of an Energy Industry Analyst, GS-1101, please visit: Energy Industry Analyst Series, 1101.

You must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience using investigative research methods and procedures including data acquisition, analysis, documentation and presentation; experience leading teams; experience training and mentoring less experienced analysts; and experience writing and sponsoring testimony associated with the regulation of natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, and/or electric utilities.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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 any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):

• Technical Analysis
• Written Work
• Oral Communication 
• Interpersonal & Team Member
• Job Knowledge 

2. The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
3. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the selecting official.
4. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. If you are invited for an interview, you may be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.

Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A, SF-50).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

1. RESUME(maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
   
   • Position title
   • Name of employer
   • Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
   • Hours worked per week
   • Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
   • Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
   • If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
3. TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
4. STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: You must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION CLAIMS: 

1. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP):  This is an intra-agency program that helps Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service or a FERC employee whose position has been deemed surplused or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:

• Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
• Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
• Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
• Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.

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