Program Manager (Power Operations) Job in Folsom, CA

Vacancy No. 25-WN-00399-12794896-DE Department Western Area Power Administration
Salary $162,373.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/5/2025 Close Date 9/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Folsom, CA


Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region. As a Program Manager (Power Operations), you will establish and enforce operational policies, technical standards, and procedures covering scheduling, accounting, billing, and transmission. The team represents WAPA in strategic power system matters and aligns operational initiatives with federal and regional stakeholders.

Duties

As a Program Manager (Power Operations), you will:

  • Serve as the Operations Manager responsible for the safe and reliable operation, planning, marketing, and managing transmission services for the region's transmission system. Directs the monitoring of the regional transmission facilities and the facilities of others, within the regions operational footprint to ensure Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO), California Independent System Operator (ISO) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Reliability Standards are met in coordination with WAPA Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC).
  • Be responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the Sierra Nevada Region's transmission system, including coordination with all interconnected utilities and scheduling of generation resources to meet project and customer load obligations.
  • Provide innovation leadership in providing products and services that meet customer needs in a competitive market. The position's activities are extremely sensitive to political and public pressures as well as considerable resistance by utilities, organized customer groups, and/or individual customers because of the potential economic impacts associated with power operations of an interconnected transmission system.
  • Provide administrative, managerial, and technical expertise to support the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs related to the Region's transmission system. Collaborates with WAPA operations teams, regional operations and marketing teams, customers, customer groups, the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Army Corp of Engineers to develop and implement hydraulic and operational plans that support reliable power delivery for integrated irrigation and energy systems. Purview over negotiations for the power, energy, and reactive exchange schedules and operating agreements with major connected systems and the California ISO.
  • Be responsible for directing activities with the Load Serving Entities (LSE) within the Sub-Balancing Authority and assisting the LSE's in meeting their FERC/NERC reliability obligations.
  • Direct the preparation of the Power Operation Procedures Manual and Switching Diagrams for use by operational personnel. Experience in the electric utility industry, including the interrelationship of transmission power contracting or commercial interest; regulatory agency policies; and real-time power system operations to designing management programs and processes to meet long-term operational needs.

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.
  • 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.
  • Required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450), upon entering the position and annually.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements- non-sensitive, high risk.
  • The duties of this position may require the incumbent to be places in a 24/7 on-call status during emergency situations.
  • This position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle. The incumbent must be to obtain and maintain the Defensive Driver certification and have a valid state driver's license.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 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-14] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

  1. Directing the safe and reliable operation of bulk electric power systems, including generation scheduling, transmission operations, system studies, and ensuring compliance with reliability standards.
  2. Managing power operations programs and supervising staff, including setting multi-year goals, directing transmission scheduling and billing systems, and overseeing workforce development.
  3. Negotiating and administering complex transmission, interconnection, and service agreements, representing an organization in regional or national power forums, and collaborating with federal agencies, utilities, and customer groups.

"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.

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

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

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 selected, you may be required to complete a one-year supervisory probation period.
  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification. These certifications may be subject to public disclosure.
  • 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.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
  • General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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 Program Manager (Power Operations) are:
  • Customer Service
  • Leadership
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Strategic Thinking


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 (09/15/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12794896

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region
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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