Substation Operator Trainee 1

About the role

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in the Transmission Field Services (TF) at multiple substation locations. A successful candidate in the Substation Operator Trainee 1 position will learn a variety of tasks designed to provide experience which will enhance technical understanding and skill in the use of the tools and equipment of the trade.

What you will do

• Under direct on-site supervision of a Journeyman operates high voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission system substations and on transmission lines.
• Expected to gain knowledge of the various work processes, high voltage power system equipment, associated protective relays, and become proficient in the use of proper terminology.
• Perform switching under the direct on-site supervision and guidance of a Chief Substation Operator or journeyman Substation Operator.
• Assignments will be made with various other BPA groups and functions to learn their working processes and equipment.
• These assignment areas are, but not limited to, the following: System Dispatching Substation Electrical Maintenance Power Generating Facility Transmission Line Maintenance Test and Energization/Construction System Protection and Control Maintenance Power System Control Maintenance The Substation Operator Trainee program is a formal, 20-month program consisting of five, 4-month steps (training periods 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).
• The Trainee must pass oral and written reviews at the end of each step to remain in this program.
• Trainees will be promoted to journeyman after successfully passing the fifth step review and meeting all other requirements of the position.In addition to satisfactorily completing the on-the-job training portion of the program, the Trainee is required to complete all assigned lessons associated with periodic classroom instruction sessions and assigned coursework (correspondence, on-line, etc.) during each step of the training program.
• Conditions of Employment: Satisfactory completion of all aspects of each step including the correspondence course and classroom instruction is mandatory for advancement to the next step.
• Failure to demonstrate satisfactory progress will result in removal from the Trainee program.
• Work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, asbestos, mercury, and solvents, etc., which may have affects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed.
• If exposed to health hazards or for use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• This position requires a pre-employment medical exam, at BPA expense, prior to appointment due to the physical requirements of the position.
• After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.
• Become knowledgeable with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual (APM) and applicable safety guidelines and policies.
• Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions to the duty station headquarters.
• Obtain and maintain an Energized Access Permit within two weeks of appointment.
• When determined by management, obtain and maintain continuously thereafter a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit.
• Possess within the first two weeks of the training program, an Energized Facilities Access Permit.
• This permit must be maintained until the supervisor determines that a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is needed, usually within the first 4 months of the program.
• When the determination for a Restricted Electrical Worker Permit is made, the permit must be obtained within two weeks and maintained thereafter for the duration of the training program.
• This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.
• Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants, and can be cause for removal from the program.
• Obtain and maintain equipment operation certifications, as required, for equipment associated with substation operations.
• Obtain and maintain first aid and CPR card within one month of appointment and maintain continuously thereafter.
• Subject to call for emergency work at any time.
• Operate any type of motor vehicle applicable to assigned duties.
• As part of the job requirements, and at the discretion of the Chief Substation Operator III, the Substation Operator Trainee shall be required to apply restricted use pesticides and may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator's license.
• The Administration shall provide the necessary training for such a license.
• Obtaining a Standard Clearance Certification and Electrical Worker Permit are mandatory requirements for completion of the Trainee program and advancement to the journeyman level.
• These requirements must be met no later than 30-days from the successful completion of their final review evaluation.
• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter.
• Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

How you will be evaluated

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 grade level or above (or equivalent). Category 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 self assessment rating assessment(s) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three predefined quality categories.

These categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in.

Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring 85.0 or higher.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/17/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click ***

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of 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).
• Information on how to create a federal resume *** Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.
• 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.
• 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.

Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.

In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

Information on how to create a federal resume *** *** EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity 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. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - VeteransVeterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Selective Service Registration: *** - Who must register: *** 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, positive, inclusive 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.