Power System Dispatcher Job in Loveland, CO

Vacancy No. 25-WJ-00585-12791524-DE Department Western Area Power Administration
Salary $115,154.00 to $168,447.00 Grade 3 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/3/2025 Close Date 9/12/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Loveland, CO


Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region. As a Power System Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the real-time operations of the Bulk Power Systems (BPS) performing real-time actions, during normal and emergency conditions.

**This is not a remote position. The selectee will be required to be physically present at the Loveland, Colorado duty location.**

Duties

As a Power System Dispatcher, some of your duties will include:

  • Create and maintain accurate logs to document operations, including instructions given, information received, and actions taken. Record pertinent dispatcher actions, decisions, and observations neatly and accurately.
  • Take prompt and appropriate actions to maintain strict compliance with FERC Standards of Conduct and NERC Standards.
  • Utilize EMS and other advanced applications to control, record, modify parameters, verify, and analyze BPS and lower voltage systems operational data.
  • Comply with the Operating Instructions from the Reliability Coordinator and/or other power system operating entities, as appropriate, for both real-time and next-day operating events.
  • Coordinate actions with other dispatchers, customers, external companies, marketing personnel, generator operators, reliability coordinators, and management, as necessary to implement operations plan.

This is a developmental position designed to prepare the incumbent to perform duties at the full performance level AD-0303-04. dispatcher. If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) are at the discretion of the supervisor and are not guaranteed.

Requirements

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/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Driver's certification and have a valid driver's license. Defensive Driver's training will be completed upon employment.
  • Occasional travel of up to 5-10% annually is required, with overnight travel possible during all or part of the time.
  • Incumbent is subject to the random drug and alcohol testing program established by the Department of Energy.
  • A pre-appointment and annual physical is required at Federal expense.
  • This position is designated Emergency Essential.
  • Incumbent may be subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
  • This position requires incumbent to work 12-hour rotating shifts and reoccurring overtime on short notice to include nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Incumbent may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc Rated protective clothing.
  • This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in helicopter or fixed wing aircraft in the performance of assigned duties.
  • This position may be in the Bargaining unit.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • 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.
  • Department of Energy (DOE) employees participating in the OPM or DOE Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) are not eligible to apply for this announcement. DRP participants are not considered active DOE employees because they have agreed to separate from the agency.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

To qualify for the AD-3:
Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-2/GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes:

  • Power system operator experience with centralized SCADA/EMS control of power system equipment with high voltage power lines and substations; OR
  • Power plant or control center operator experience, where normal duties include direct SCADA control over multiple, remotely operated power plants, OR
  • Operations or maintenance experience executing switching programs for clearances or other general switching actions on power system equipment at high voltage levels preferably at or above 34.5kV.
To qualify for the AD-4:
Applicants must have one year (52) weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-3/GS-11 in the Federal service. This experience includes all the following:
  • Power system operator experience with interconnected system monitoring of voltages, power flows, maintaining limits, responding to changing system conditions, meeting safety, reliability, coordination requirements, and adhering to applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines, AND
  • Applying power system switching procedures to prepare, check and direct routine and emergency switching activities, AND
  • Using a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA/Energy Management System (EMS) to monitor system conditions and respond to contingencies, AND
  • I am currently NERC certified. You must submit a copy of your NERC certification with your application. Failure to do so will result in your being removed from consideration at this grade.
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 volunteer experience.

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

There is no education requirement for this position.


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.gov.
  • Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
  • 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.

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.

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. Learn 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, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

The competencies for the Power System Dispatcher are:
  • Administration and Management
  • Decision Making
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Problem Solving


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".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/12/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12791524

Required Documents

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 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-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region
5555 E. Crossroads Blvd
Loveland, CO 80538
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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