Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager.

Bonneville Power Administration; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration in Portland seeks an Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager to shape BPA's workplace culture by leading conflict prevention and resolution program across four states. You will pioneer proactive, human-centered strategies and serve as an expert mediator and advisor to executives and line managers.

The role emphasizes early intervention, staff training in interest-based negotiation, and collaboration with HR, labor relations, and civil rights professionals.

Qualifications

• At least one year of specialized experience as a neutral third-party mediator or facilitator using ADR techniques.
• Experience developing and delivering conflict-management or mediation training.
• Experience gathering, tracking, and analyzing dispute resolution metrics and creating evaluative reports.

Responsibilities

• Direct enterprise conflict management strategy and program ownership.
• Conduct neutral mediations in high-stakes situations.
• Provide confidential advisory to executives and people leaders.
• Champion early intervention and root-cause prevention.
• Deliver dynamic workforce training and skill-building.
• Cultivate alliances with labor and operational partners.
• Represent BPA in external forums with the DOE and industry counterparts.
• Demonstrate program impact through analytics and evaluation.

Skills

Neutral mediator

Conflict management

Training delivery

Analytical reporting

Job description

Duties

Powering the Pacific Northwest Through Collaboration: Shape Workplace Culture as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager

At Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we keep the Pacific Northwest energized-transmitting reliable, clean federal hydropower across thousands of circuit miles to power communities, businesses, and regional economies.

Maintaining that standard of excellence requires an internal culture rooted in mutual respect, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving. When colleagues communicate effectively, our entire power system runs stronger.

Joining BPA as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager (Equal Employment Specialist, GS-0260-13), you will serve in the Executive Office as an architect of our agency-wide conflict resolution culture. This role goes far beyond administering formal dispute channels; you will pioneer proactive, human-centered strategies that bridge differences, protect organizational health, and ensure our people can focus on our public-service mission. If you are an accomplished dispute-resolution practitioner and trusted facilitator ready to shape a positive, high-trust workplace across four states, we invite you to bring your expertise to BPA.

Key Duties & Opportunities For Impact

• Direct Enterprise Conflict Management Strategy: Serve as the program owner and lead strategist for BPA's dispute prevention and resolution portfolio. You will develop, modernize, and scale innovative conflict-management programs that resolve workplace issues early, collaboratively, and outside of formal administrative or grievance pathways.
• Conduct Neutral Mediations in High-Stakes Situations: Personally step in as an impartial, trusted neutral party to facilitate and mediate complex, multi-party, or emotionally sensitive workplace conflicts. You will defuse tension, ensure fair and balanced discussions, and guide participants toward sustainable, consensus-driven solutions.
• Provide Confidential Advisory to Executives and People Leaders: Act as a trusted senior advisor to agency executives, managers, and administrative leads. You will provide strategic guidance on handling complex team friction, navigating sensitive organizational changes, and establishing constructive management partnerships.
• Champion Early Intervention and Root-Cause Prevention: Serve as a proactive diagnostic resource across the agency to detect early indicators of systemic conflict. By analyzing patterns, clarifying agency procedures, and facilitating early conversations, you will address root issues before they escalated into formal disputes or impact team morale.
• Deliver Dynamic Workforce Training & Skill-Building: Design and facilitate engaging, practical learning experiences for frontline staff, supervisors, and senior leadership. You will build agency-wide capability in interest-based negotiation, constructive dialogue, and de-escalation techniques that promote psychological safety and everyday collaboration.
• Cultivate Strategic Alliances with Labor and Operational Partners: Partner closely with Human Resources, Labor Relations, Civil Rights professionals, and union representatives. You will champion inclusive, transparent dispute processes that respect employee rights, uphold agency values, and reflect our leadership behaviors to Value People and Come Together.
• Represent BPA Across the Department of Energy & Industry: Serve as BPA's subject-matter authority in external forums, collaborating with counterparts across the Department of Energy (DOE) and national dispute resolution bodies to benchmark best practices and exchange cutting-edge resolution methodologies.
• Demonstrate Program Impact Through Analytics & Evaluation: Measure and analyze key performance metrics-such as case resolution rates, cost avoidance, time saved, and employee morale indicators. You will translate qualitative feedback and quantitative data into actionable reports that showcase program return on investment and guide continuous service enhancements.

Requirements

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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess or recertify mediation annual certification prior to entrance on duty.

Qualifications

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: experience 1) serving as a neutral third-party mediator or facilitator utilizing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques to resolve workplace conflicts, interpersonal disputes, and complaints of discrimination or unfair employment practices; 2) developing and delivering conflict management, communication, or mediation training and instructional materials to employees and management; and 3) gathering, tracking, and analyzing dispute resolution metrics or casework data to identify conflict trends, assess program effectiveness, and prepare evaluative reports.

"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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

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

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

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

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.

Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments

Veterans Information

Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Telework

Selective Service Registration

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.

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.

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.

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.