What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Utilities Specialist. position at Bonneville Power Administration?
Duties
Power the Future: Shape and Secure the West's Energy Grid
At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we deliver clean, reliable, and sustainable power to millions of people across the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is critical, and our systems must be flawless.
As a Lead Public Utilities Specialist (Technical Systems Authority) on our Trading Floor, you will be the ultimate bridge between cutting-edge technology and high-stakes energy trading. You will lead the development, security, and optimization of the vital software applications that drive our energy markets, manage financial transactions, and minimize risk. This is your opportunity to leverage your technical expertise on a grand scale, driving innovation for one of the nation's most critical power grids.
Key Responsibilities & Impact
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
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-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) providing technical support, business analysis, or subject matter expertise for an Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM), deal capture, or settlements system; and 2) participating in the development, testing, and implementation of system enhancements by gathering requirements from users and coordinating with technical staff to resolve software defects. This experience would include analyzing and troubleshooting system issues in a production environment to support business operations.
"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.
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.
Power the Future: Shape and Secure the West's Energy Grid
At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we deliver clean, reliable, and sustainable power to millions of people across the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is critical, and our systems must be flawless.
As a Lead Public Utilities Specialist (Technical Systems Authority) on our Trading Floor, you will be the ultimate bridge between cutting-edge technology and high-stakes energy trading. You will lead the development, security, and optimization of the vital software applications that drive our energy markets, manage financial transactions, and minimize risk. This is your opportunity to leverage your technical expertise on a grand scale, driving innovation for one of the nation's most critical power grids.
Key Responsibilities & Impact
- Serve as the Senior Technical Authority for Core Systems
- Drive the Evolution of Critical Energy Software Lead all phases of the software lifecycle-from initial design and enhancement to testing, quality assurance, and deployment. You will ensure that our core Trading Floor applications are continuously upgraded to meet the evolving demands of the modern energy market.
- Lead High-Performing, Multi-Disciplinary Teams Direct and mentor specialized, cross-functional technical teams (including specialists from risk management, finance, and front-to-back office operations). You will foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and guide these teams to deliver flawless system support and project success.
- Collaborate with Tech Partners and External Vendors Serve as the primary liaison between our internal IT department, end-users, and external software vendors. You will translate complex business needs into technical requirements, prioritize the system maintenance backlog, and maximize the overall value of our software assets.
- Counsel Senior Executives and Guide Strategic Decisions Provide expert, authoritative advice to BPA's senior executive leadership. You will analyze and explain how changing market regulations, new contracts, and commercial shifts will impact our trading systems, helping shape the strategic direction of our technology portfolio.
- Resolve High-Stakes, Real-Time Operational Issues Step in as the ultimate trouble-shooter when critical, real-time energy trading or system-scheduling issues bypass standard IT help desks. Your rapid, expert problem-solving will prevent operational disruptions in highly sensitive market windows.
- Manage Major Vendor Contracts and Agreements Direct and oversee vendor activities, including drafting Statements of Work (SOWs) and managing major software releases. You will ensure that external contractors deliver high-quality, secure updates that align with BPA's business requirements and evolving market conditions.
- Ensure Flawless Quality Control and System Integration Establish the standards and methods for identifying, tracking, and resolving software bugs. You will coordinate with IT and vendors to ensure that all system upgrades integration smoothly with upstream and downstream platforms, maintaining absolute data integrity across the agency.
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.
- 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.
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-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) providing technical support, business analysis, or subject matter expertise for an Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM), deal capture, or settlements system; and 2) participating in the development, testing, and implementation of system enhancements by gathering requirements from users and coordinating with technical staff to resolve software defects. This experience would include analyzing and troubleshooting system issues in a production environment to support business operations.
"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.
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.