Substation Operator Trainee I Job

Vacancy No. 25-BPA-47466-12795341-DE Department Bonneville Power Administration
Salary $61.60 to $61.60 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2025 Close Date 9/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Goshen, ORKeizer, ORMalin, ORRedmond, OR


Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in Transmission Field Services (TF) at multiple substation locations.

A successful candidate in the Substation Operator Trainee I position will learn a variety of tasks designed to provide experience which will enhance technical understanding and skill in the use of the tools and equipment of the trade.

Duties

As a Substation Operator Trainee I, you will:

  • Under direct on-site supervision of a Journeyman operates high voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission system substations and on transmission lines.
  • Expected to gain knowledge of the various work processes, high voltage power system equipment, associated protective relays, and become proficient in the use of proper terminology.
  • Perform switching under the direct on-site supervision and guidance of a Chief Substation Operator or journeyman Substation Operator.
  • Assignments will be made with various other BPA groups and functions to learn their working processes and equipment.
  • These assignment areas are, but not limited to, the following:
System Dispatching
Substation Electrical Maintenance
Power Generating Facility
Transmission Line Maintenance
Test and Energization/Construction
System Protection and Control Maintenance
Power System Control Maintenance

The Substation Operator Trainee program is a formal, 20-month program consisting of five, 4-month steps (training periods 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The Trainee must pass oral and written reviews at the end of each step to remain in this program. Trainees will be promoted to journeyman after successfully passing the fifth step review and meeting all other requirements of the position. In addition to satisfactorily completing the on-the-job training portion of the program, the Trainee is required to complete all assigned lessons associated with periodic classroom instruction sessions and assigned coursework (correspondence, on-line, etc.) during each step of the training program.

Substation Operator Trainee positions require that you sign a "Continuation of Service Agreement", prior to entry on duty. The agreement will obligate you to remain with BPA for a period of one (1) year upon completion of the training program. If you fail to complete the required period of service with BPA, you will be liable (indebted), in most cases, to BPA for the cost of the training received. Specific information regarding the Continuation of Service Agreement will be provided to selected applicants in future correspondence. Of course, we are hopeful that you would remain with BPA for your entire career, as nearly all of BPA's employees have chosen to do so.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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:
  • This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
  • This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
  • This position requires a preemployment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
  • 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.
Persons filling Substation Operator Trainee positions are required to meet some or all of the following conditions:
  • Satisfactory completion of all aspects of each step including the correspondence course and classroom instruction is mandatory for advancement to the next step. Failure to demonstrate satisfactory progress will result in removal from the Trainee program.
  • Work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, asbestos, mercury, and solvents, etc., which may have affects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed. If exposed to health hazards or for use of personal protective equipment (PPE), have periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense.
  • Become knowledgeable with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual (APM) and applicable safety guidelines and policies.
  • Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements, that is within one hour (90 minutes for the Grand Coulee, Washington duty station) or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions, to the duty station headquarters.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position. Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C).

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess these elements and screen out. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the elements and screen out identified below. This job has a screen-out factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) or who do not score at least half of the total points possible across all elements will be found ineligible.

The screen-out element for this position is: Experience and skill to successfully perform the job of a Substation Operator Trainee I is the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision in operating and energizing high and low-voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission or substations systems. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating. (SCREEN-OUT)

In addition to the screen-out element your qualifications will be evaluated on the following Job Elements through your resume and responses to the on-line assessment questionnaire:

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Operation of Equipment Relevant to Trade
  • Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments


"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.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
  • Obtain and maintain an Energized Access Permit within two weeks of appointment. When determined by management, obtain and maintain continuously thereafter a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit.
  • Possess within the first two weeks of the training program, an Energized Facilities Access Permit. This permit must be maintained until the supervisor determines that a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is needed, usually within the first 4 months of the program. When the determination for a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is made, the permit must be obtained within two weeks and maintained thereafter for the duration of the training program.
  • Possess at all times a valid unrestricted state driver's license. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants, and can be cause for removal from the program.
  • Obtain and maintain equipment operation certifications, as required, for equipment associated with substation operations.
  • Obtain and maintain first aid and CPR card within one month of appointment and maintain continuously thereafter.
  • Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
  • Operate any type of motor vehicle applicable to assigned duties.
  • As part of the job requirements, and at the discretion of the Chief Substation Operator III, the Substation Operator Trainee shall be required to apply restricted use pesticides and may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator's license. The Administration shall provide the necessary training for such a license.
  • Obtaining a Standard Clearance Certification and Electrical Worker Permit are mandatory requirements for completion of the Trainee program and advancement to the journeyman level. These requirements must be met no later than 30-days from the successful completion of their final review evaluation.
  • Subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident/incident drug testing.

Working Conditions:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions, during the day or night. Work is also performed on uneven, outdoor surfaces, including steep inclines, on rocked or graveled surfaces and unimproved surfaces. Hazards include working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts. The possibility of explosion or fire is ever present. The Substation Operator Trainee may work from ladders, platforms, or scaffolding averaging 4 feet, or stairs. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCB's, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Personal protective equipment including respirators shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be done at night and/or under time constraints. System priorities may require extended periods of overtime, including working weekends and/or holidays.

Physical effort:
Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others.

  • Operates energized high voltage electrical power transmission system substations following strict procedures and safety requirements.
  • Checks and reviews station conditions. Responsible for station security and safety of others in the station.
  • Performs inspections on all high and low voltage equipment in substations and keeps records. Periodically inspects station, including all components in the switchyard, outlying buildings, and the perimeter of the property.
  • Monitors and operates various communications systems. All processes require clear oral communication.
  • Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks.
  • Drives 15-20% of the time in all weather conditions.

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

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
.

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.

Under the Employee Referral Bonus program, certain BPA employees may be eligible for a monetary award for referring outside candidates for this difficult-to-fill position. The referring employee must complete the form BPA F 33300.01e and email it to careers@bpa.gov by midnight of the closing date of the job posting.

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.

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.

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified.

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

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

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", which is defined as scoring 85.0 or higher.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/25/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12795341

Structured Resume Review: After it has been determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the first two pages of your resume to rate your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. Scores from all reviewers 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. Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

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 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).
  • 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.

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://help.usajobs.gov/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://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

Matthew Nobles
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.

Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.

In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.

Additional Locations

  • The Dalles, OR
  • Umatilla, OR
  • Grand Coulee, WA
  • Richland, WA
  • Snohomish, WA
  • Spokane, WA
  • Vancouver, WA


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.