Public Utilities Specialist

Department of Energy

Bonneville Power Administration

Summary

This position is within the Trading Floor (PTF) group of the Bulk Marketing (PT) organization within the Power Services (PS) business line of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

As a Lead Public Utilities Specialist, you will serve as the premier systems technical authority, managing high-impact energy trading, tracking, and risk management systems. Shape critical system upgrades, collaborate with technical teams, and guide senior leaders to optimize energy markets across the West.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to active Bonneville Power Administration employees with competitive status, currently on a career or career-conditional appointment.

Duties

Power the Future: Shape and Secure the West's Energy Grid

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we deliver clean, reliable, and sustainable power to millions of people across the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is critical, and our systems must be flawless.

As a Lead Public Utilities Specialist (Technical Systems Authority) on our Trading Floor, you will be the ultimate bridge between cutting-edge technology and high-stakes energy trading. You will lead the development, security, and optimization of the vital software applications that drive our energy markets, manage financial transactions, and minimize risk. This is your opportunity to leverage your technical expertise on a grand scale, driving innovation for one of the nation's most critical power grids.

Key Responsibilities & Impact

1. Serve as the Senior Technical Authority for Core Systems

Act as the primary technical expert and trusted advisor for our energy trading, transaction-tracking, and financial settlement software. You will have full technical independence to define system goals, solve complex challenges, and ensure our trading operations run seamlessly.

2. Drive the Evolution of Critical Energy Software

Lead all phases of the software lifecycle-from initial design and enhancement to testing, quality assurance, and deployment. You will ensure that our core Trading Floor applications are continuously upgraded to meet the evolving demands of the modern energy market.

3. Lead High-Performing, Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Direct and mentor specialized, cross-functional technical teams (including specialists from risk management, finance, and front-to-back office operations). You will foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and guide these teams to deliver flawless system support and project success.

4. Collaborate with Tech Partners and External Vendors

Serve as the primary liaison between our internal IT department, end-users, and external software vendors. You will translate complex business needs into technical requirements, prioritize the system maintenance backlog, and maximize the overall value of our software assets.

5. Counsel Senior Executives and Guide Strategic Decisions

Provide expert, authoritative advice to BPA's senior executive leadership. You will analyze and explain how changing market regulations, new contracts, and commercial shifts will impact our trading systems, helping shape the strategic direction of our technology portfolio.

6. Resolve High-Stakes, Real-Time Operational Issues

Step in as the ultimate trouble-shooter when critical, real-time energy trading or system-scheduling issues bypass standard IT help desks. Your rapid, expert problem-solving will prevent operational disruptions in highly sensitive market windows.

7. Manage Major Vendor Contracts and Agreements

Direct and oversee vendor activities, including drafting Statements of Work (SOWs) and managing major software releases. You will ensure that external contractors deliver high-quality, secure updates that align with BPA's business requirements and evolving market conditions.

8. Ensure Flawless Quality Control and System Integration

Establish the standards and methods for identifying, tracking, and resolving software bugs. You will coordinate with IT and vendors to ensure that all system upgrades integration smoothly with upstream and downstream platforms, maintaining absolute data integrity across the agency.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements:

You must be a United States Citizen.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Conditions of Employment:

Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) providing technical support, business analysis, or subject matter expertise for an Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM), deal capture, or settlements system; and 2) participating in the development, testing, and implementation of system enhancements by gathering requirements from users and coordinating with technical staff to resolve software defects. This experience would include analyzing and troubleshooting system issues in a production environment to support business operations.

"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 candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

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

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

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

EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy

Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/

Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

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.

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.

Review our 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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Selection will be based on skills and competencies, not educational credentials or self-reported experience.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, your will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Customer Service
Influencing/Negotiating
Information Technology Program Management
Problem Solving
Technical Credibility

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 having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (06/25/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12987112

Structured Interview Review: After it has been determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will contact you to schedule an interview. During the interview, all candidates will be asked the same pre-determined questions, which are designed to evaluate the competencies needed for the role. Your responses will be scored on a rating scale based on these competencies. After the interview, scores from all interviewers will be compiled and factored into the overall evaluation. Your final score will reflect how well your qualifications and skills align with the position requirements. Participation in this interview is required for your application to be considered complete. If you do not complete the interview, you will be removed from further consideration for the position.

Required Documents

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

Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing 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.

Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:

SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): Most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
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 selected for the position you MUST submit: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and incentive awards, you received in the last 5 years. The assigned HR Specialist will verify review this documentation to ensure selectee has at least a satisfactory performance rating before setting the entrance on duty date. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you will be asked to submit a statement as to why it is not available.

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:

You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account.
To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, your application will be reviewed to determine if it demonstrates the required minimum qualifications.
If it is determined your application meets the minimum qualifications, you will be contacted to complete a scored, structured interview conducted by a panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Participation in this interview is mandatory for your application to be considered complete.

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://login.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://help.usajobs.gov/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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

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

Wilson Bowlby

Phone: 5032303117
Email: wjbowlby@bpa.gov

Address: Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208
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.

Public Utilities Specialist Job in Portland, OR