Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time)

About the role

As an Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time), you will be responsible for predictive studies for the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System. These activities include real time reliability studies and mitigation strategies for transmission operations in the respective region. *This is not a remote position.

The selectee must report to one of the duty locations identified in this announcement.*

What you will do

• Conduct real-time, current-day, and next-day transmission studies for the Bulk Electric System (BES) and impacted facilities owned by, operated by, or interconnected to the Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region transmission system.
• Real-time and immediate operations horizon power system applications include (but are not limited to) event analysis, contingency planning, outage coordination, and performing operational technical studies including the usage of real-time state estimation software.
• Provide technical assistance to real-time operating personnel about the effects proposed switching and operating procedures have on the power system and the individual elements, within the real-time study horizon.
• Carry primary responsibility for conducting or coordinating studies and mitigation plans required by NERC Standards, Regional Entity Standards and the Reliability Coordinator for a range of expected operating conditions.
• Conduct analysis, problem solving, development, implementation, and reporting of technical findings related to the Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region transmission system for normal and emergency operating conditions are of primary importance.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire.
• Answers to these questions are not scored or rated.
• Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages.
• If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
• Position is subject to random drug testing.
• You must pass pre-employment drug testing.
• Security clearance and associated requirements- high risk/tier 4.
• Overtime may be required on short notice to include nights, holidays and weekends in support of related mission requirements.
• This position requires irregular work schedules and/or shift work.
• The incumbent may be required to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must be NERC Certified to qualify at the AD-04 level.
• If selected at a lower level, promotion to AD-04 is contingent upon obtaining NERC Certification.
• If selected at AD-01, AD-02, or AD-03, NERC Certification is required within 2 years, or prior to being able to sit at the Real Time Engineer desk alone.
• Applicants completing degree requirements within 120 days of 09/21/2026 may apply.
• Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded at time of application and official transcripts are required prior to entrance on duty.

Education

Applicants completing degree requirements within 120 days of 09/21/2026 may apply. Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded at time of application and official transcripts are required prior to entrance on duty. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.

Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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 Department of Education website.

DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents.

Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How you will be evaluated

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

Only applicants meeting or exceeding the minimum required level of proficiency will move forward. Structured Interview Review: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires a subject matter expert (SME) structured interview.

A structured interview is an assessment method designed to measure job-related competencies of candidates by systematically inquiring about their behavior in past experiences and/or their proposed behavior in hypothetical situations. If applicable, you may be contacted to schedule an interview with the SMEs.

Only applicants meeting or exceeding the minimum required level of proficiency will move forward. Rule of Many Rating Procedure: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, your resume, supporting documentation, and questionnaire/assessment responses will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the SME resume review and SME structured interview rating assessment(s) will be scored.

You will be ranked in score order plus any Veterans' preference points. All candidates who score above a predefined cut score will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. All applicants tied at the cut line will be referred.

If additional candidates are needed, groups of three per vacancy will be referred. Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles with the same score.

Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are listed at the top of the certificate in the order of their ratings unless the job is scientific or professional at the GS-9/AD-2 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Simultaneous Listing: Candidates may be referred simultaneously on multiple certificates for which they are interested, eligible, and within reach.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Decision Making Electrical Engineering Technical Competence Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/21/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click ***

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable.
• It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• If applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.
• For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS.

You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings. You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement. If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.

Promotion Potential: AD-04. The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.