Physical Scientist

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals.

This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

Power the Pacific Northwest: Lead the Clean Energy Transition at the Bonneville Power Administration

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our mission is to power the Pacific Northwest with clean, reliable, and affordable hydroelectricity while championing environmental stewardship and fish and wildlife restoration across the region. As a Physical Scientist within Duty Scheduling, you will stand on the front lines of this mission-serving as a real-time decision-maker behind one of the largest renewable energy assets in North America, the Federal Columbia River Power System. In this dynamic role, you will apply physical science principles, mathematical modeling, and operational strategy to orchestrate river flow, balance high-stakes clean energy markets, and protect vital biological ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

1. Direct Real-Time Hydropower & Reservoir Operations Oversee dynamic, round-the-clock reservoir and dam operations to continuously balance electrical grid power generation with non-power priorities such as flood risk management, recreation, and water storage.

2. Lead Multi-Agency River System Coordination Collaborate directly with federal water management partners (including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation) and regional energy organizations to synchronize daily plant operations, maintenance schedules, and flow requirements.

3. Drive Real-Time Energy Market Strategy & Grid Reliability Act as the primary technical authority within the regional energy market, adapting power generation schedules on the fly to support grid stability, meet real-time energy demands, and maximize system efficiency.

4. Utilize Advanced Computer Simulation & Hydraulic Modeling Apply scientific principles and state-of-the-art predictive computer models to simulate river behavior, calculate real-time water capacity, and optimize complex operational strategies under changing environmental conditions.

5. Champion Environmental Protection & Fishery Mandates Translate biological protection requirements and fishery restoration programs into practical hydro-scheduling decisions, safeguarding wildlife habitats while fulfilling clean energy commitments.

6. Manage High-Value Clean Energy Supply Contracts Maintain high-precision model simulations to administer specialized energy contracts, dynamically calculating and communicating real-time capacity and energy allocation rights to regional power utility partners.

7. Collaborate & Negotiate Across Inter-Utility Networks Represent generation supply interests during active shifts, working with non-federal utility partners and energy generation stations to resolve after-the-fact dispatch discrepancies, scheduling variances, and operational agreements.

8. Provide Technical Mentorship & Operational Leadership Serve as a technical resource on shift for energy marketers and load specialists while actively training and mentoring junior scientists and operational trainees to build team technical excellence.

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.
• Emergency travel may be required.
• Shift Work: The amount of shift work may vary. Employees rotate through three established work shifts that provide coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Shifts are 8 hours and 12 hours long; shift #1 is 0600 to 1800 hours; shift #2 is 1800 to 0600 hours; and, shift #3 is 0800 to 1630 hours.
• No lunch break is included in shifts #1 and #2; shift #3 includes a 30-minute lunch break. The 12-hour shifts have a required 15-minute briefing period before the shift.
• 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.
• This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work.
• Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-07: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience performing 1) analytical work, 2) conducting model simulations, and 3) applying principles, theories, practices, and techniques in the physical sciences.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education.

GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-07, in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) assisting with scientific studies that involve methods and techniques in interpreting findings of scientific significance, and 2) performing computer model simulation applying scientific principles for the implementation of river and reservoir operations.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).

GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) performing scientific studies that involve methods and techniques in interpreting findings of scientific significance, and 2) independently performing computer model simulation applying scientific principles for the implementation of river and reservoir operations.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).

"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.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Category Rating Procedure: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, your resume, supporting documentation, and questionnaire/assessment responses will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the rating assessment(s) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three predefined quality categories. These categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.

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. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

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 85.0 or higher.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/10/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052431

USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

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

• Your two (2) page RESUME showing 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).
  • Information on how to create a federal resume https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/documents/resume
• 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.
• 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.

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