Electrical Engineering (Operations & Transmission Planning )

US Western Area Power Administration; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

US Western Area Power Administration in the Sierra Nevada Region is seeking an Electrical Engineer (Operations & Transmission Planning) in a developmental role with a full performance level of GS-13. You will work under close supervision, perform engineering assignments, and complete training to gain the knowledge and skills required for the job responsibilities.

The position emphasizes foundational work in power system planning, tariff studies, data management, and coordination of regional

Qualifications

• Basic requirement: engineering degree as described (ABET-accredited or equivalent) or combination of education and experience with licensure/registration, FE exam, or related curriculum.
• For GS-07: performing basic calculations, studies, and simulations on electrical power or transmission systems; assisting with engineering design tasks and preparing technical documentation.
• For GS-09: assisting with technical power system planning and tariff studies, analyzing power-flow and ensuring system integrity; maintaining and updating databases/models.
• For GS-11: preparing, coordinating, and reviewing operational planning studies for transmission systems performance and coordinating long-range infrastructure planning.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate study work for transmission system planning and operations.
• Assist with engineering design tasks and documentation for electrical systems.
• Maintain and update data models and databases for power system analyses.

Job description

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.

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:

1. 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.)
2. 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)
3. 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.
4. 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 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

• 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.