This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), within in Communications and Control Planning (TPMC), Communications & Grid Modeling (TPM), Planning & Asset Management.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.
Open & Close date: Open: 06/18/2024 Close: 07/02/2024
LOCATION(s)Vancouver, WA
SALARY: $126,883 - $153,442 per year
DUTIES:
A successful candidate in the Electronics Engineer position will create plans of service detailing the requirements for communication and control systems, participating on technical teams to develop policies and standards to meet reliability and compliance requirements.
As an Electronics Engineer, you will:
Be responsible for assigned planning of communications, control and data systems for network transmission, network interconnections, customer service, sustain & expand program projects. These projects could include, but are not limited to: testing next generation microwave systems, planning new fiber systems and upgrades, planning next generation mobile radio technology, planning telecom expansion to control the BES, interfacing with customers and other utilities to develop a telecom plan of service to support a generation interconnection, line and load interconnection, balancing authority move, telecommunication to support remedial action schemes (RAS) and protection requirements, telecommunication systems to carry voice and data requirements.
Perform long-range studies of the telecommunications system composed of radio and fiber for adequacy of capacity. This position will need to plan, scope, work to fund projects to expand or sustain BPA's Operational telecommunication system. An expert understanding of microwave propagation and/or an expert knowledge of fiber optic characteristics is strongly desired.
Develop, negotiate, and provide input to Communications agreements with other utilities and Power Business Line entities. Works as the Subject Matter Expert for telecommunication agreements such as: Joint Use Agreements, Cooperative Agreements, Shared Use Agreements, Commercial Leased Fiber Agreements, Interconnection Agreements, etc.
Provide technical knowledge and expertise as a Subject Matter Expert to internal and external working groups. Such groups may include: WECC RAS-RS Group, Operational Telecommunications Team (OTT), PSC Functional Team, multiple equipment testing groups, FACTS Standards Steering Committee, Wireless Standard Team, Fiber Team, various Telecom Project teams, etc.
Mentor less experienced engineers and participate in knowledge transfer. Expected to teach students and new engineers area of expertise.
Special Salary rate: The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 0754.
REQUIREMTNS: Conditions of Employment
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 period.
This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 3 days per pay period.
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.
The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 0754: https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/
Employee Referral Program: 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.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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-
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:
For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
In addition to the meeting the basic requirement, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience.
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-12] in the Federal service.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 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-12] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Applying electronics engineering theories, principles, practices, and techniques to the planning communications, control, and data systems for network transmission, network interconnections, customer service projects, and telecommunications capital improvements for the organization.
There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 grade 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.
Physical Demands: The work is sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required in stooping, kneeling, bending, etc.
Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
EDUCATION:
This vacancy has a positive education requirement. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package.
(See Required Documents section on application).
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.
Company Description
The Bonneville Power Administration is a nonprofit federal power marketing administration based in the Pacific Northwest. Although BPA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it is self-funding and covers its costs by selling its products and services. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects in the Northwest, one nonfederal nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants.
The Bonneville Power Administration is a nonprofit federal power marketing administration based in the Pacific Northwest. Although BPA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it is self-funding and covers its costs by selling its products and services. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects in the Northwest, one nonfederal nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Utilities
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Bonneville Power Administration by 2x