System Protection Control Craftsman II

Clarification from the agency

Surplus and displaced individuals eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) in the local commuting area of the duty location advertised in this vacancy announcement.

As a System Protection Control Craftsman I and II, you will:

• Use test equipment to determine response of energy meters, line protection relays, telemetering, switchboard indication, power system recording systems, instrument transformers, substation data networks and other power system devices used for information and control. Legacy and new technology is used for repair of substation equipment. Follows accepted procedures to install, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain equipment.
• As required, makes arrangement for equipment outages with Operations and customer utilities.
• Prepare data reports and keep incidental records pertinent to the tests performed.
• Use technical documentation for maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Collect, scale, and annotate power system event and fault records.
• Keep test equipment in good safe working order.
• Under direct supervision, performs miscellaneous duties related to the maintenance of the power system.
• Assists in training of System Protection Control Craftsman Trainees.
• Performs special assignments related to System Protection Control work such as developing test programs, developing, and assembling special test circuits, performing novel tests, and developing trouble-shooting instructions. Provides advice on problems.

Conditions of employment

Conditions 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 pre-employment 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.
• Must possess a current valid U.S. motor vehicle operator's license from state of residence.
• Apprentices in the last year of the program are encouraged to submit an application to indicate duty locations for which they want to be considered for permanent placement.
• 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.
• Establish a residence, in accordance with negotiated requirements, that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions to the duty station headquarters.
• Become familiar with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.
• Possess an electrical worker's permit or obtain one within 120 days after the requirement is established.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain appropriate certifications and permits, including appropriate worker and access permits and standard clearance certification.
• Obtain within 1 year after appointment, and maintain continuously thereafter, a valid First Aid card, CPR card, or appropriate training.
• Operate motor vehicles, including 1-1/2 ton pickups, sedans, van type trucks, forklifts, and 4x4's. Be certified to operate specialized equipment, if assigned to use.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Operate motor vehicles, including 1-1/2 ton pickups, sedans, van type trucks, forklifts, and 4x4's. Be certified to operate specialized equipment, if assigned to use.
• Required to wear personal protective gear such as apparel, respirators, etc. when required for worker safety.
• You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.

Qualifications

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.

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. 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) will be found ineligible.

The screen-out element for this position is defined as operating computer controlled relay test system for commissioning, maintenance and diagnostic fault simulation on micro-processor and electro-mechanical transmission lines, transformers, bus and breaker failure relays, and removing line protection from service, performing diagnostic and functional tests, and returning line protection to in-service condition without more than normal supervision. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

In addition to the screen-out element you 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 Use Hand and Power Tools -Electronics
• Ingenuity (Ability To Suggest and Apply New Methods)
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Theory of Electronics
• Trouble shooting (Electronic Equipment)
• Use of Test Equipment: Electronics

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone.

This position has a selective placement factor, failure to meet this requirement(s) will result in an ineligible rating.

• Must possess a current valid U.S. motor vehicle operator's license from state of residence.
• Operate motor vehicles, including 1-1/2 ton pickups, sedans, snowmobiles, or van-type trucks.

OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Frequent and overnight travel is required.
• The position at Ashe (Richland) requires unescorted access to a nuclear facility under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Final employee selection is subject to successfully completing a background investigation, medical and/or psychological evaluation and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing administered by the nuclear facility management. This position is also subject to random drug and alcohol testing by the nuclear facility management.
• The position at Ashe (Richland) will be required to take annual radiation training and pass a written exam.

WORKING CONDITIONS:Work is performed primarily indoors. Some work will involve travel to remote sites or substations, and may be performed in adverse weather conditions which includes extremes of temperature. The employee may be exposed to electrical hazards of all voltages existing in the BPA system, and will be expected to work occasionally on substation equipment at heights 40 feet above the ground. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels or exposure to toxic or hazardous substances (i.e., acids, solvents, PCB's, mercury, pesticides, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: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.

"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.

"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.

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

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.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, you 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):

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability To Use Hand and Power Tools -Electronics
• Ingenuity (Ability To Suggest and Apply New Methods)
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
• Theory of Electronics
• Trouble shooting (Electronic Equipment)
• Use of Test Equipment: Electronics

Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

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 ( 09/24/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13068397.

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).
• 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.
• Veterans: 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.
• Individuals with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
• Certain Military Spouses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
• Other non-competitive or special appointing authorities: provide documentation which supports your eligibility.
• 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.

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