Geospatial Data Science Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is within the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Infrastructure Resiliency (TISR) organization, Strategy and Planning (TIS), Infrastructure Asset Management (TI), Transmission Services (T).
As a Geospatial Analyst, make a real-world impact! You will use mapping and location data to protect and strengthen our power grid. Develop cutting-edge solutions for wildfire mitigation and asset management, creating visualizations that drive critical infrastructure decisions.
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Duties
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Your Data, Our Grid: Secure the Pacific Northwest's Power as a Geospatial Analyst
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is at the forefront of securing the energy future of the Pacific Northwest. We are seeking a visionary Geospatial Analyst to join our team and play a critical role in protecting our vital infrastructure. This is more than a mapping job; it's a chance to use your advanced analytical skills to make a tangible impact on public safety, grid reliability, and environmental stewardship. You will work with a high degree of independence to design and execute projects that directly influence key business decisions.
As a Geospatial Analyst, you will:

• Pioneer Predictive Models: Design, test, and implement sophisticated spatial models to forecast real-world conditions. Your work will directly inform strategies for wildfire probability, habitat restoration, and other critical environmental and infrastructural challenges.
• Build Next-Generation Tools: Collaborate with data scientists, asset managers, and program leaders to design and build innovative decision-making tools. Your work will directly support critical initiatives, including wildfire mitigation, asset management prioritization, and consequence modeling visualization.
• Automate and Innovate: Utilize your scripting expertise in languages like Python and JavaScript to automate complex data workflows, develop custom web-based applications, and create new efficiencies that enhance our analytical capabilities.
• Drive Advanced Spatial Analysis: Apply innovative statistical concepts and advanced GIS techniques to solve complex challenges, pushing the boundaries of traditional analysis to find new solutions and insights within our data.
• Architect Modern Data Solutions: Design and manage the flow of geographic information across modern cloud and on-premise platforms (such as ArcGIS Online, Portal, and SDE). You will create and refine robust workflows for data collection, storage, visualization, and analysis that serve the entire organization.
• Lead in Data Stewardship: Take ownership of our data integrity by designing and maintaining robust relational geospatial databases. You will ensure the quality, accuracy, and reliability of the foundational data that drives all spatial analysis and decision-making at BPA.

Requirements
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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.

Conditions of Employment:

• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.

Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
1. Degree: geography; or related physical or social science such as geology, meteorology, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, political science, history, cartography, computer science, urban studies, or planning that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields.
-OR-
2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in geography, or a related field that included at least 24 semester hours in geography or related fields, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-11] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) performing complex spatial analysis, such as network, suitability, or predictive modeling, and managing the integrity of geospatial databases to support program decisions; and 2) automating geospatial workflows using scripting languages (such as Python) and supporting web-based GIS platforms (such as ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise).
"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.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This vacancy has a positive education requirement. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.
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.
In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your 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: 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
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 here.
Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register
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.
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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.
Benefits
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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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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.