Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Technical Lead).

Bonneville Power Administration; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, OR seeks a Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Technical Lead) to bridge software, energy economics, and operations on the 24/7 trading floor. You will empower market specialists with advanced tools and help shape policy while ensuring reliable, low-carbon power delivery.

You will lead the evolution of real-time energy trading systems, mentor operators, and collaborate across internal teams and regional partners to drive efficiency and

Qualifications

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12.
• Experience in real-time power scheduling and wholesale energy marketing operations, including energy management systems, market conditions, and policy compliance.
• Developing standard operating procedures and training materials, providing guidance to trading/scheduling staff, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Evolution of Critical Energy Trading & Scheduling Systems: oversee systems that drive real-time power transactions; design, modernize, and maintain digital tools.
• Represent the Agency on Regional and National Energy Committees; influence market designs and policies; build external relationships.
• Drive Workflow Automation and Process Innovation; improve transaction speed and reduce risk across the trading floor.
• Design and Champion Premier Training Programs; build curricula, mentor operators, ensure understanding of market rules and procedures.
• Spearhead Operational Strategy and Policy Adaptation; translate regulations and tariffs into procedures; keep operations compliant.
• Foster High-Stakes, Cross-Functional Collaboration; unite stakeholders across desks, engineers, counsel, risk, and utilities.
• Optimize Wholesale Power Resources and Contract Execution; provide guidance on power purchases/sales with environmental and statutory constraints.
• Serve as the Senior Operational Subject-Matter Expert during grid events and peak periods.

Job description

Duties

Power the Clean Energy Future of the Pacific Northwest: Lead at the Intersection of Technology, Policy, and Real-Time Energy Markets

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) plays an essential role in the Pacific Northwest, delivering reliable, carbon-free hydroelectric power to millions of homes and businesses while keeping energy rates affordable and championing environmental stewardship. At the heart of this critical mission is BPA's 24/7 trading floor, where energy is scheduled, balanced, and delivered in real time across an interconnected regional grid.

As a Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Technical Lead), you will serve as the operational backbone and technical visionary for this fast-paced trading environment. Bridging the gap between software development, energy economics, and high-stakes operations, you will empower market specialists with advanced digital tools, guide strategic industry policy, and ensure the Pacific Northwest's power grid runs efficiently and reliably around the clock.

Key Responsibilities & High-Impact Duties

• Lead the Evolution of Critical Energy Trading & Scheduling Systems Serve as the lead technical authority overseeing the systems that drive real-time power transactions. Partner directly with software engineers and IT specialists to design, modernize, and maintain advanced digital tools that adapt seamlessly to fluctuating market conditions, complex contracts, and grid interconnections.
• Represent the Agency on Regional and National Energy Committees Act as a key ambassador for BPA across inter-agency working groups, regional reliability organizations, and national energy policy forums. Influence emerging market designs, transmission policies, and technical standards while establishing collaborative relationships with external utilities and power-trading partners.
• Drive Workflow Automation and Process Innovation Analyze daily trading and dispatch workflows to identify bottlenecks and evaluate opportunities for automation. Champion cutting-edge analytical tools and streamlined practices that improve transaction speed, reduce operational risk, and maximize economic efficiency across the trading floor.
• Design and Champion Premier Training Programs Build, deliver, and continuously refine comprehensive training curricula that transform complex power-scheduling concepts into actionable expertise. Mentor emerging talent, onboard new operators, and ensure the trading floor is proficient in evolving market rules and technical procedures.
• Spearhead Operational Strategy and Policy Adaptation Translate intricate federal regulations, transmission tariffs, and commercial requirements into straightforward, standardized operating procedures. Continuously evaluate shifting energy market trends and proactively update internal protocols to keep operations compliant and agile.
• Foster High-Stakes, Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as a vital liaison uniting diverse internal and external stakeholders-including day-ahead trading desks, transmission engineers, legal counsel, risk analysts, and customer utilities. Build consensus on complex initiatives and resolve operational challenges across organizational boundaries.
• Optimize Wholesale Power Resources and Contract Execution Provide authoritative technical guidance on power purchase and sales commitments, ensuring transactions maximize value for public power customers while strictly observing environmental constraints, river system requirements, and statutory obligations.
• Serve as the Senior Operational Subject-Matter Expert Step onto the trading floor as a premier technical resource during critical grid events, peak seasonal periods, or specialized market scenarios. Ensure seamless continuity of round-the-clock operations and maintain clear, high-level operational intelligence for executive leadership.
• This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

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:

• Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
• Lead will be authorized to work either a Monday-Friday core hour position or a 10-hr shift "day shift" position working four days a week (Monday-Friday).

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's 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) performing real-time power scheduling and wholesale energy marketing operations, including utilizing energy management and scheduling systems, monitoring market conditions, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and transmission policies; and 2) developing standard operating procedures and training materials, providing technical guidance or on-the-job instruction to trading and scheduling personnel, and collaborating with cross-functional technical teams to test, update, and enhance power marketing and scheduling systems.

"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 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.