Electric System Operator Trainee Jobs in Portland, OR

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.Qualifications:In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position. Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C).
Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess these elements and screen out. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the elements and screen out identified below. This job has a screen-out factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) or who do not score at least half of the total points possible across all elements will be found ineligible.
The screen-out element for this position is: Experience and skill to successfully perform the job of a Substation Operator Trainee I is the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision in operating and energizing high and low-voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission or substations systems. Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical effort:

Requires good balance to climb ladders, perform repair duties, and while switching and changing fuses. Walking on uneven surfaces. To operate motor vehicles and to climb ladders and stairs. Must be able to work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding. Drives vehicles to and from work sites, monitor and operate various communication systems; perform office work. Average of 3-4 hours per day. Walk/stand on uneven, slippery surfaces, including steep inclines in all weather conditions. Must be able to move rapidly to and from the control house at various locations in the switchyard (distances of up to one-quarter mile) several times in succession during the execution of switching operations. Ability to raise, lower and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length. Performs inspections and cleaning duties. Requires good spatial ability/depth perception and sufficient color discrimination to distinguish color-coding or shade variations. Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions, during the day or night. Work is also performed on uneven, outdoor surfaces, including steep inclines, on rocked or graveled surfaces and unimproved surfaces. Hazards include working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts. The possibility of explosion or fire is ever present. The Substation Operator Trainee may work from ladders, platforms, or scaffolding averaging 4 feet, or stairs. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCB's, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Personal protective equipment including respirators shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be done at night and/or under time constraints. System priorities may require extended periods of overtime, including working weekends and/or holidays.
"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/ICTAP 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.
Under the Employee Referral Bonus program, certain BPA employees may be eligible for a monetary award for referring outside candidates for this difficult-to-fill position. The referring employee must complete the form BPA F 33300.01e and email it to careers@bpa.gov by midnight of the closing date of the job posting

Education:There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.Employment Type: OTHER