Electrical Engineering (Operations & Transmission Planning )

Western Area Power AdministrationFolsom, California, Billings, Montana, Watertown, South Dakotausajobspublished 10/23/2026
Must-have:SecurityLeadPrincipal

About the company

This position is part of the WAPA-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region. As an Electrical Engineering (Operations & Transmission Planning ) (Operations & Transmission Planning), this is a developmental position with a full performance level of GS-13. You will work under close supervision while performing Electrical Engineering assignments and completing training to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the job.

Your tasks

The duties listed below are fulfilled at the Full Performance GS-13 Level; if selected at a lower grade level, duties will be modified to fit the grade: Independently creates, directs, prepares, coordinates, and reviews Operation Engineering and Planning studies. Independently creates, directs, prepares, coordinates, and reviews planning studies (years one through ten) for the development of the Regional electric infrastructure capital projects to meet network load growth needs. Independently creates, directs, performs, coordinates, and reviews issues with Compliance personnel to maintain or improve upon satisfactorily compliance levels regarding FERC Orders and NERC Regional Entity reliability standards. Coaches the staff in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques; provides advice on work methods, practices, and procedures; and assists staff in identifying the parameters of study solutions. Independently creates, directs, develops, prepares, maintains, coordinates and reviews power ?ow, stability, and short circuit models to provide a consistent and accurate series of models to meet the needs of the Regional Entity and the Regional Transmission system. Independently creates, directs, prepares, coordinates, and reviews operational planning studies (current day to one year) and reports on power system additions and modifications, necessary to ensure the power system remains adequate to meet regional needs.

Requirements

To be found qualified, you must meet the basic requirement AND minimum qualification requirements for the grade level(s) in which you apply. BASIC REQUIREMENT: You must meet one of the following: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. (You must submit licensure or registration.) Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. (You must submit documentation) Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience for this position is defined as: For the GS-05: No specialized experience requirement at the GS-05 level. Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 0800 Series as described above. For the GS-07: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as: Performing basic calculations, studies, and simulations on electrical power or transmission systems; AND/OR Assisting with engineering design tasks and preparing technical documentation for electrical systems. You may also qualify for the GS-07: If you have successfully completed of one full year of graduate level education; -OR- If you have obtained a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement; -OR- If you have a combination of experience and education as described above. For the GS-09: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting with technical power system planning and tariff studies, analyzing power-?ow and ensuring system integrity; AND/OR Maintaining, updating and inputting data into power-?ow, stability or short circuit databases/models. You may also qualify for the GS-09: If you have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related; -OR- If you have a combination of superior academic achievement and one (1) year of appropriate professional experience; -OR- If you have a combination of experience and education as described above. For the GS-11: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is de?ned as: Preparing, coordinating, and reviewing operational planning studies for transmission systems performance; AND Coordinating and executing long-range regional electrical infrastructure planning studies to accommodate network load growth and maintain system performance. You may also qualify for the GS-11: If you have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; -OR- A combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); 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. Physical Demands: The primarily sedentary work requires no special physical effort. It may require periods of walking, standing, bending, climbing, or driving a motor vehicle during ?eld trips, inspections, testing, and visits to construction sites, industrial, and other business establishments. The employee may carry light items such as books, instruments, and other similar materials. The work does not require any special physical effort. Work Environment: Work is primarily in an office setting with some trips to operating facilities. Occasionally, the employee may work at HV transmission lines and substation sites involving hazards requiring special safety precautions around energized circuits and equipment. The incumbent must wear protective clothing and follow standard safety procedures.

You may also qualify for the GS-05/07/09/11 if you will complete all degree requirements as described above within 180 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. 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.

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. Security clearance and associated requirements - Moderate risk at GS-05 to FPL GS-13. The position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle. The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. 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. Salary based on Special Rate table 0753. Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Total salary varies depending on location of position.

Other

  • Folsom, CA - $57,999 to $160,638
  • Billings, MT - $57,999 to $145,483
  • Watertown, SD - $57,999 to $145,483