Public Utilities Specialist (Contracts)

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals.

Power the Future: Be the Connection Point for the Pacific Northwest's Power Grid

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we're at the center of the nation's energy transition. We're seeking a pivotal expert to join our team-someone who can navigate the complex world of energy contracts and regulations to ensure a reliable, affordable, and accessible power grid for millions. This isn't just a contracts job; it's your chance to play a key role in shaping the future of energy transmission by connecting new resources to the grid.

We are seeking a Public Utilities Specialist (Contracts) to join us. In this vital role, you will be the commercial bridge between BPA and our external energy partners. You won't just manage paperwork-you will directly drive regional progress by steering new energy projects through the pipeline and managing high-stakes utility agreements that keep power flowing safely and reliably.

Here are the key opportunities and duties where you will make a lasting impact:

1. Navigate Grid Connections for Energy Partners - Facilitate and manage customer requests to connect new energy generation to our regional transmission system. You will guide energy partners through the queue, resolving bottlenecks and ensuring fair, timely, and compliant process progression.

2. Develop and Execute High-Value Transmission Contracts - Design, draft, and implement complex commercial contracts. You will manage agreements covering everything from initial feasibility studies and engineering to construction, equipment testing, and balancing authority transitions.

3. Serve as a Trusted Advisor to Key Leaders - Act as a central policy expert and consultant. You will provide strategic recommendations and regulatory guidance to BPA managers, account executives, and external customer teams, helping them navigate complex contracting rules.

4. Champion Regulatory Compliance - Serve as the program lead to ensure BPA's open-access transmission tariffs and operational guidelines are strictly followed. You will interpret evolving federal energy regulations and ensure all actions align with legal and commercial standards.

5. Govern Financial Risks and Internal Safeguards - Act as a key technical resource for federal financial management rules (such as OMB Circular A-123). You will evaluate business practices and implement robust internal controls to protect BPA from commercial and financial risks.

6. Spearhead Process and Operational Improvements - Proactively analyze current contracting workflows to identify inefficiencies or policy gaps. You will design, communicate, and implement streamlined procedures that accelerate project delivery and improve customer satisfaction.

7. Deliver End-to-End Contract Administration - Oversee the entire lifecycle of executed contracts. This includes managing amendments, tracking milestones, verifying billing accuracy, and coordinating with financial teams to create project work orders.

8. Build Collaborative, Cross-Organizational Alliances - Build and maintain powerful working relationships across diverse BPA teams, including environmental specialists, transmission planners, lawyers, and engineers. You will also represent your group on cross-agency initiative teams to standardize modern utility business practices.

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.

• 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.
• Since this function will provide for and support the needs of both Power and Transmission, the incumbent will need to fully understand internal risk management controls (OMB A-123), internal contract policies and procedures, and Standards of Conduct (SOC) guidelines.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

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 applying policies and procedures to support contract development and project administration to 1) assist in the management of customer interconnection requests within a regulated utility's business and compliance framework, such as an Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) queue; and 2) administer contracts for technical services, including tasks like tracking milestones, processing payments, and coordinating with internal and external parties.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M., if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of 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 two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.

GS-12: 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-11] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) managing customer interconnection requests by interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and business practices related to utility transmission systems, such as an Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT); 2) developing, implementing, and administering a variety of contracts for technical services, e.g., engineering studies, construction projects, or facility upgrades; and 3) providing technical guidance to stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable standards and contract terms.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level.

"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.

You 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 USA Hire Competency Based 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 (07/01/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12990921

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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