Substation Operator & D.C. Substation Operator Job in Throughout Idaho - 91282794 - ZAJFZ9EWC7PMM

Job Title:
Substation Operator & D.C. Substation Operator

Department:
Department Of Energy

Agency:
Energy, Bonneville Power Administration

Job Announcement Number:
8355-11-DH

SALARY RANGE:
$38.51 - $41.40 /hour
In addition to the wage rate, BPA currently pays a 3.16% differential per hour for each non-overtime hour worked. This differential is separate from other premiums that are paid under the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, October 06, 2010 to Friday, September 30, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:BB-5407-00/00

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time  Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
00

DUTY LOCATIONS:
Few vacancies - Throughout Oregon; Few vacancies - Throughout Washington State; Few vacancies - Throughout Idaho; Few vacancies - Throughout Montana

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Applications will be accepted from United States citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:

Bonneville Power Administration (best known as BPA) is headquartered in Portland, OR and has been providing over a third of the electricity consumed in the Pacific Northwest for more than 70 years.  While we take pride in helping to “keep the lights onâ€� we also fund and manage one of the largest fish and wildlife programs in the world; invest in new renewable generating resources such as wind and geothermal projects; and are proud to be a leading partner in promoting energy conservation and efficiency programs.

How are we able to accomplish so much?  It's simple – our people!  Not only is our work diverse but so are our employees who enjoy a range of competitive benefits including flexible work schedules, generous leave, secure retirement, and much more.  The best part of all, our employees know they make a difference every day providing a critical service to the public while they get to work, live, and play in the great Pacific Northwest!  You can learn more about BPA at www.bpa.gov.

Please refer to the Vacancy Announcement at (http://jobs.bpa.gov/Job_Search/8355-11-DH.pdf) for more information.

You can learn about BPA at www.bpa.gov.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Please refer to http://jobs.bpa.gov/Job_Search/8355-11-DH.pdf
• Advanced Pre-Appointment Background Investigation is Required.
• Physical Examination and Drug Screening is Required.

Additional Duty Location Info:
Few vacancies - Throughout Oregon; Few vacancies - Throughout Washington State; Few vacancies - Throughout Idaho; Few vacancies - Throughout Montana

BPA's Substation Operator tasks vary with the type of substation to be operated but may include any of the following tasks and conditions.  As a BPA Substation Operator you may perform the following tasks:

Operations
• Operate energized high and low voltage electrical power transmission system substations following strict procedures and safety requirements.
• Check and review station conditions.
• Review station log book and Substation Operating Manual. 
• Are responsible for Control of Entry, Station Security, and safety of others in the station. 
• May be assigned other duties such as Safety Watching and escorting others. 
• Keep System Dispatchers and others informed of all local information pertinent to the operation of the power system. 
• Notify specified BPA personnel and others of power system emergencies. 
• Interact with the public and BPA customers. 

Inspections
• Check indication and tags on control panel against actual station conditions. 
• Check for adherence to the station voltage schedule.
• Check for compliance with prescribed operating limits on lines and equipment (load, voltage, temperature, etc.). 
• Periodically inspect station, including all components in switchyard, control house, relay houses, and other buildings. 
• Conduct security check of perimeter fences, gates, doors, and windows.
• Check for conditions constituting hazards to personnel, property, or equipment. 
• Take action to correct abnormal conditions or notify others concerned with the condition. 

Switching
• Ascertain, plan, and perform any switching scheduled during tour of duty. 
• Plan and perform switching as delegated by system dispatcher. 
• Perform operating functions in accordance with the Switching and Clearance Procedures, the Accident Prevention Manual, and the Substation Operating Manual which includes: operating bulletins, substation standing operating orders, station instructions, etc. 
• During loss of communication with control centers, operate a substation in accordance with pre-approved, written orders and instructions.  In case of trouble involving possible injury, loss of life, or damage to property, operate substation in accordance with best personal judgment. 

Communications
• Monitor and operate various communications systems. These systems include mobile radios, commercial phone lines, and various BPA communications systems for purposes including voice communications, relaying, and billing and require clear oral communication.

Records and Reports
• Complete files and maintains various records and reports in accordance with instructions.  May read, record, and report various meters, instruments, gauges, and billing meters. 
• File, maintain, correct, and as necessary order new substation prints. 

Instructing
• Lead and instruct others as assigned. 

Non-electric Plant
• Perform non-electric plant duties such as building and grounds maintenance as assigned. 

Environmental
• May perform preventive and/or corrective containment and/or cleanup measures to protect the environment.
• Work both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions during the day or night. 
• Work 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. 
• Be able to wear protective apparel such as respirators when required for worker safety.
• Work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding, or stairs at heights up to 60 feet. 
• Will occasionally be exposed to high noise levels and/or hazardous substances (such as acids, PCBs, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk.  Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled. 
• Drive 15-20% of the time in all weather conditions.

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 may work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding, or stairs.  Work may be at heights up to 60 feet.  The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCBs, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk.  Proper respiratory and safety equipment 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 restraints.  System priorities may require extended periods of overtime, including working weekends and holidays.

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
JOB STANDARD FOR
Substation Operator & D.C. Substation Operator
BB-5407

Physical Requirements:
Physical Requirement needed to perform essential functions
NR=not required; Rarely = 1% or less; Occasionally  = 1-33%; Frequently = 34–65%; Continually = 66–100%
Climbing Occasionally Able to climb and work at various heights averaging 10 feet, rarely up to 60 feet, such as on platforms, scaffolding, ladders and stairs adjacent to high-voltage equipment.
Balancing Frequently Requires good balance to climb ladders, perform repair duties, and while switching and changing fuses.  Walking on uneven surfaces.
Leg/Foot Use Frequently To operate motor vehicles and to climb ladders and stairs.  Must be able to work from ladders, platforms, and scaffolding.
Standing Occasionally Ability to stand an average of 2-3 hours uninterrupted.  Occasionally stands a maximum of up to 8 hours per day, when performing safety watching.
Sitting Frequently Drives vehicles to and from work sites, monitor and operate various communication systems; perform office work.  Average of 3-4 hours per day.
Walking Frequently 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.  Must be able to walk up to 4 hours on large-graveled surfaces.
Lifting/Carrying Occasionally Lifts tools and equipment.  Average is 30 pounds.  Lifts and positions 100-110 pound nitrogen bottles and 120-pound manhole covers.  Ability to raise, lower, and maneuver up to 30-pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length.
Pushing/Pulling Occasionally Requires up to 75 pounds of exertion to operate swing handle or hand crank of disconnect while in a standing position.  Moves and positions equipment and materials weighing up to 120 pounds such as manhole covers and nitrogen bottles.
Twisting/Bending/
Stooping (knees, waist, neck, wrist) Frequently Ability to raise, lower and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing  a pole 20 feet or more in length.  Performs inspections and cleaning duties.
Handling/Grasping Occasionally Ability to raise, lower, and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length to change fuses and perform switching operations.  Grasps swing handles and hand cranks to perform switching operations.  Fine grasping to replace screws and relay equipment.
Crouching Occasionally May crouch when performing inspections.
Kneeling/Crawling Rarely Kneels to access and inspect equipment.
Fingering/Feeling Occasionally Performs repairs and switching activities.  Turns knobs and grasps screws after removing relay covers.
Other Physical Requirements Occasionally Considerable physical exertion is also required while performing activities such as building and grounds maintenance and when traveling on foot to gain access to remote switching locations.

USE OF SENSES
Talking Continually Able to communicate with co-workers and to provide clear, accurate communication.
Hearing Continually To receive directions from co-workers, listen for telephone.  Ability to hear warning devices, and indicators of problems in the substation.
Vision Continually To safely operate equipment and use tools, while performing disconnects and switching operations.  Requires good spatial ability/depth perception and sufficient color discrimination to distinguish color-coded or shade variations.  Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40.
Smell Continually Able to detect various gases, fuels, exhausts, burning of electrical equipment.  Gas detectors are available.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires ability to perform effectively under stress for extended periods of time in hazardous situations, interact/communicate with others; comprehend and follow directions; work both independently and as a team member; make decisions and judgments; maintain flexibility in performing a variety of tasks, pay attention to detail, follow safety rules; operate vehicles and equipment safely; read and comprehend manuals and substation maps; sufficient math/geometric skills; basic computer skills.

ENVIRONMENTAL
Requires ability to work outside in all weather conditions; inside work required while working on relay and control panels and other electrical equipment.  Frequent exposure to hazards typical of working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts.  Potential exposure to loud noises.  May perform preventative and/or corrective containment and/or clean-up measures to protect the environment with various chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, and solvents.  MSDS are available.  Ability to work at heights and underground.  Required to wear various levels of PPE (Hearing protections, respiratory protections, hard hats, safety glasses; if required, insulated rubber gloves).

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Uses equipment such as cars, trucks, a variety of power and hand tools and test equipment.  Uses office equipment such as computers, telephones, copier and fax machines.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Please refer to the Vacancy Announcement at (http://jobs.bpa.gov/Job_Search/8355-11-DH.pdf) for more complete details on minimum qualifications and selective placement factors.

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

Candidates must possess the Selective Placement Factors to receive consideration for this position and should address this in their statement of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP/ICTAP):  Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.  ‘Well qualified' for non-status applicants means an applicant who scores 85 points or higher prior to the addition of veteran's preference, if applicable

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

For additional information please refer to http://www.opm.gov/ctap/.  

All eligible Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (RW) employees will receive priority placement consideration for any vacancy within DOE under the DOE Internal Transition Assistance Plan (ITAP). RW employees will be considered and selected before any other candidate as long as they are found qualified for the position.

INFORMATION FOR VETERANS:Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans' preference.  To review eligibility requirements for 5-point and 10-point veterans preference, along with complete information on employment of veterans, please refer to the OPM VetGuide: http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Please refer to the Vacancy Announcement at (http://jobs.bpa.gov/Job_Search/8355-11-DH.pdf) for complete details.  

For more information on how to complete KSAs, please go to http://jobs.bpa.gov/How_To_Apply/ksa/cfm.

BENEFITS:

Information on BPA benefits can be found at:  http://www.job.bpa.gov/Benefits/

OTHER INFORMATION:

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST:

• Resume, or other application, that fully describes your education and experience.  Application must contain sufficient information to determine eligibility for the position. (The Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) can be found at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/of612.asp.).  Applications must include the following information:
  
  
  
  
  
  • Job Announcement number, title, and grade
    
    
  • Full legal name, mailing address, contact telephone number and email address
    
    
  • Country of citizenship
    
    
  • High school attended which includes name of high school and location.
    
    
  • Employment history [Unpaid experience (internships, volunteer work, etc.) related to the position may also be included].  Include job title (include series and grade if position was Federal), duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), salary, and hours worked per week.  Explain any gaps in employment.
    
    
  • Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor.
    
    
  • A list of other job-related training, skills (i.e., languages, tools, machinery, typing speed, etc.), certificates and licenses, recognition, professional memberships, publications, leadership activities, etc.
  
  
  
• SF-50 for current or reinstatement-eligible federal civilian employees
  
  
• Supplemental Questionnaire (Failure to complete and submit the supplemental questionnaire may result in a determination of not qualified and your application will not receive further consideration).
  
  
• Copy of your complete Non-Employment driving record dated within the last three months and covering the last 3 years obtained from the Dept. of Motor Vehicles.  (Failure to provide will result in a determination of not qualified and your application receive no further consideration).
  
  
• Geographic Availability form
  
  
• VETERANS:  To be considered for veteran's preference, a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4) is required. 10-point veterans must also provide a copy of their SF-15 and associated documentation.
  
  
• All applicants are encouraged to complete and submit BPA Form F3330-11e, Applicant Disability, Race/National Origin and Gender Identification form and Applicant Source Form (located at the end of this announcement, or may be downloaded at http://jobs.bpa.gov/How_To_Apply/forms.cfm).

If your resume or application does not provide all the information requested in the vacancy announcement, you may lose consideration.  Material received after the closing date will not be accepted.

HOW TO APPLY:

*PLEASE DO NOT USE THE 'APPLY ONLINE' FUNCTION ON THIS WEBSITE.

Please refer to the Vacancy Announcement at (http://jobs.bpa.gov/Job_Search/8355-11-DH.pdf) for complete application instructions.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Human Resources - NHQ-1
Phone: 1-877-975-4272
Fax: 503-230-3149 Agency Information:
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621
Fax: 503-230-3149

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

For more information, please refer to: http://jobs.bpa.gov/How_To_Apply/whathappens.cfm