High Voltage Electrician Job

Vacancy No. 25-WB-00569-12803891-DE Department Western Area Power Administration
Salary $59.90 to $59.90 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/19/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Peck, MTHavre, MTShelby, MTPhilip, SD


Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-UGP-Upper Great Plains. As a High Voltage Electrician, you will perform journeyman level work in compliance with DOE and WAPA orders, WAPA's Power System Safety rules, and WAPA's safe clearing procedures.

**This is not a remote position. The selectee will be required to be physically present at one of the duty location(s) identified in the vacancy announcement.**

Duties

As a High Voltage Electrician, some of your duties will include but are not limited to:

  • Perform switching in high voltage substations and switchyards. May receive clearances and hotline orders.
  • Perform all duties in compliance with DOE and WAPA orders, WAPA's Power System Safety rules, and WAPA's safe clearance procedures. Identify safety hazards and unsafe conditions and take immediate action to mitigate or eliminate them. Actively participate in job planning and pre-job safety briefings.
  • Perform minor maintenance and housekeeping on substation structures, buildings, HVAC systems, fences, and grounds, such as painting, snow removal, application of soil sterilant. Perform incidental concrete work related to equipment installation or repair. Monitor and record meter readings within substations.
  • Provide technical guidance and training to apprentices and to other craft employees.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • If selected for this position, your appointment is contingent upon completion of OF- 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, during the pre-employment process.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a questionnaire and are subject to a criminal background check to determine suitability for Federal employment before appointment.
  • Position requires a climbing weight not-to-exceed 310 with all required gear. Personal maximum weight may not exceed 280 pounds at time of appointment. Personal weight will be determined at the time of physical examination and final job offer will be contingent upon verification that individual's weight does not exceed this amount.
  • This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle. Incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
  • If you are tentatively selected for this position, you will be required to have a physical examination that will determine whether you are qualified to perform the duties of the position. An offer of employment will depend upon your successfully passing the physical examination.
  • This position requires completion of an annual medical examination at Federal expense.
  • Position is subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
  • You must test negative for illegal drugs before placement in the position, and will be subject to random drug testing thereafter. If a determination of the use of illegal drugs is confirmed, non-selection or disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service, may result.
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds GVWR. The hiring organization will work with you on obtaining your CDL.
  • You will be required to possess a pair of fully-encased safety-toed footwear meeting the standard ASTM F 2413-05 upon reporting to work.

Qualifications

Qualifications: You must have journeyman-level ability in the duties of an High Voltage Electrician. You must meet all the qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

The screen-out element for this position is below. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating:

Ability to do the work of a High Voltage Electrician without more than normal supervision to include installing, constructing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment in high voltage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers.

"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: Active climbing, lifting, working in strained positions. Work from ladders, scaffolds, and man-lift devices. May work from substation support structures which require the use of appropriate fall protection equipment. Install and repair equipment in confined and enclosed spaces. Regularly lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds or more.

Work Environment: Be able to wear protective apparel (such as respirators, steel-toed footwear) when required for worker safety. Work is both inside and outdoors with exposure to hazardous materials and the possibility of electric shock, falls, bruises, cuts, burns, strains, and inclement weather. May be required to fly to work sites by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Work may require considerable travel requiring temporary lodging away from the duty station.


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 and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.govI
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  • This position may require regular and recurring overtime. Overtime may be required on short notice to include nights, holidays and weekends in support of related mission requirements.
  • I understand I may be required to fly to work sites by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter.
  • The employee is expected to be in an on-call status on a rotational basis. While in an on-call status, the employee is required to carry an electronic paging device and will remain within one-half hour travel time of their primary place of residence and will sustain themselves in an able- to respond and perform work condition.
NOTE: If you are not currently a Western journeyman in the occupation advertised, you may receive entry-level pay with the possibility of promotion to full journeyman status after meeting certification and performance requirements (generally within 3-6 months).

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.

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.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

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


Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

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 scoring in the Well Qualified category (or higher).

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/26/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12803891

Required Documents

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).
  • 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.
  • Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, 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.
  • 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.

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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/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://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.

Agency contact information

PMA Careers
Address
WAPA-UGP-Upper Great Plains
12155 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228
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.


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


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