Management Associate I.

Bonneville Power Administration; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon seeks a Management Associate I to support executive leadership with data-driven insights and strategic planning. This role connects senior leadership to performance metrics, budgets, and process improvements to advance the regional energy mission.

The position emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, governance, and program coordination across tribal, federal, and state agencies, while guiding organizational initiatives and talent strategies.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in Federal service.
• Experience as a personal assistant to multiple managers or executives.
• Experience preparing reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary analyst and trusted advisor to department managers.
• Actively participate in defining the organization’s future through multi-year plans and budgets.
• Diagnose operational bottlenecks and present innovative recommendations to improve efficiency.
• Represent management in discussions with Tribal Nations, agencies, and regional leaders.
• Translate priorities into unified action plans and coordinate with technical and business units.
• Plan and coordinate executive conferences, strategic summits, and programs.
• Consult with leadership on human capital needs and organizational design.
• Mentor administrative staff and modernize information tracking for compliance.

Skills

Executive support

Meetings coordination

Travel coordination

Education

Master's degree or higher

LL.B. or J.D. if related

Job description

Duties

Power the Future of the Pacific Northwest: Shape Strategy and Drive Operational Excellence at BPA

At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)-a powerhouse within the U.S. Department of Energy-our mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable hydroelectric power while championing environmental stewardship across the Pacific Northwest. Behind every major energy milestone is an agile operational foundation. As a Management Associate I, you will sit at the center of organizational decision-making, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This is not an ordinary support role: it is an opportunity to directly influence program strategy, solve complex operational challenges, bridge vital stakeholder partnerships, and optimize the business systems that keep our regional mission moving forward.

Key Responsibilities & Impact

Here are the eight core areas where you will make a lasting impact:

• Strategic Advisor to Executive Leadership Serve as a primary analyst and right-hand advisor to department managers. You will evaluate program performance, analyze organizational health, and deliver data-backed insights that guide executive decision-making and program execution.
• Long-Range Planning and Budget Formulation Actively participate in defining the organization's future by collaborating on multi-year strategic plans, resource allocations, and operating budgets. You will establish performance metrics to track and ensure the achievement of critical agency benchmarks.
• Operational Problem-Solving and Process Modernization Apply advanced analytical methods to diagnose operational bottlenecks, evaluate reporting systems, and review management practices. You will design, present, and implement innovative recommendations that enhance workplace efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• High-Visibility Stakeholder and Customer Relations Act as an organizational ambassador across diverse internal and external networks. You will represent management in discussions with sovereign Tribal Nations, federal and state agencies, regional utility leaders, and executive business divisions-ensuring alignment on key policy shifts.
• Cross-Functional Issue Management and Solutions Delivery Translate complex, competing priorities into unified action plans. You will investigate sensitive inquiries, coordinate with technical and business units, and craft well-researched, authoritative responses on behalf of leadership.
• High-Impact Conference and Program Coordination Lead the planning and execution of executive conferences, strategic summits, and special programs. You will curate agendas, secure key speakers, develop comprehensive briefing materials, and facilitate cross-organizational collaboration.
• Workforce Strategy and Talent Advisory Consult with leadership on human capital needs, team realignments, and organizational design. Partnering closely with Corporate Human Resources, you will identify staffing gaps, evaluate the impact of personnel decisions, and shepherd organizational talent initiatives.
• Team Leadership and Information Governance Provide mentorship and performance management to administrative staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing office culture. In addition, you will modernize information tracking and records systems to ensure compliance with federal standards and streamline day-to-day operations.

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.

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-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Serving as a personal assistant to multiple managers or executives; (2) performing administrative support (e.g., Prepare reports, spreadsheets, correspondence, etc.) for a department, company or organization; (3) planning, scheduling, and coordinating meetings and other organizational activities; AND (4) coordinating official travel for staff.

You May Substitute Education For Specialized Experience As Follows

• Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.

"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

If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See

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

Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.

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

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.