Power Trading Wecc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is within the Trading Floor (PTF) group of the Bulk Marketing (PT) organization within the Power Services (PS) business line of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
As a Power Trader, you will negotiate high-value power sales, develop market strategies, and manage energy inventory. Directing millions in annual revenue, you'll balance grid supply and demand in a fast-paced environment while building lasting utility partnerships.
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Duties
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Drive the Deal: Power the Pacific Northwest and Shape the Energy Market
At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we are the engine behind the Pacific Northwest's clean energy future. We deliver reliable, carbon-free hydroelectric power to millions of people, and our success relies on strategic, real-time decision-making.
As a Public Utilities Specialist (Power Trader), you will step onto one of the most dynamic trading floors in the energy sector. Managing transactions that generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, you will have the autonomy to negotiate complex contracts, optimize surplus power, and balance the grid. This is your chance to combine financial acumen, analytical expertise, and negotiation skills to make a massive, tangible impact on the regional economy and the green energy transition.
Key Responsibilities & Impact
1. Lead Daily Power Negotiations and Maximize Revenue
Serve as the principal negotiator for the purchase and sale of short-term power products (including daily, weekly, and monthly transactions). You will proactively identify market opportunities to buy and sell surplus energy, directly driving the agency's financial health.
2. Design and Execute Strategic Customer Plans
Develop customized market plans for key utility and power customers. By building strong, trust-based relationships and understanding client needs, you will design specialized trading strategies that maximize revenue while meeting client demands.
3. Optimize Regional Transmission and Grid Capacity
Actively manage and trade excess transmission capacity. You will monitor grid availability and strategically redirect, purchase, or resell transmission paths to ensure energy flows efficiently and cost-effectively across the region.
4. Pioneer and Launch Innovative Energy Products
Serve as the commercial lead in developing, designing, and implementing brand-new power products and trading strategies. You will tailor custom energy and capacity solutions to solve complex customer challenges.
5. Master and Trade in Evolving Western Energy Markets
Keep a pulse on the rapidly changing energy landscape across the West, including the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the Western Electricity Coordination Council (WECC). You will design and execute trading tactics to hit annual secondary revenue targets.
6. Deliver High-Value Market and Financial Analysis
Use advanced analytical skills to make risk-informed financial decisions in a fast-paced, high-stress trading environment. You will evaluate power values, line congestion, transmission costs, and natural gas fundamentals to price products competitively.
7. Manage Delivery Risks and Monitor Grid Systems
Proactively monitor industry scheduling systems and transmission databases to track energy flows. You will quickly assess the risk of delivery interruptions, identify alternative transmission pathways, and protect BPA from costly energy imbalances.
8. Navigate Regulatory Compliance and Influence Policy
Act as a key advisor on complex market policies, energy regulations, and transmission rules. You will participate in high-level agency policy discussions and ensure all trading and marketing practices strictly align with national and regional energy standards.
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:

• 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.

Qualifications
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-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Supporting power or transmission buying and selling strategies through trading, scheduling, forecasting, or analyzing data; 2) Independently evaluated large amounts of data to make decisions with a high financial or physical impact.
"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: 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 - 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
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.?
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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.