Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Trader and Scheduler)

Bonneville Power Administration • Portland, OR

16h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Real-Time Trading and Scheduling, Trading Floor group of Bulk Marketing within Power Services at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Based in Portland, Oregon, the role supports BPA’s mission to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity while protecting the environment and supporting regional prosperity. The position works on a 24/7 high-tech trading floor, making real-time financial and operational decisions that affect wholesale power transactions and regional grid reliability.

The incumbent analyzes demand, weather forecasts, and river conditions to execute day-ahead, hour-ahead, and real-time energy bids; participates in organized regional electricity markets, including the Western Energy Imbalance Market; and manages commercial use of high-voltage transmission capacity. The role also responds to outages and other grid emergencies, coordinates electronic routing tags and delivery schedules, monitors wholesale customer usage, and schedules supplies to meet changing loads. In collaboration with energy-efficiency and technology specialists, the position supports demand-response programs and flexible contracts. The incumbent also works with legal, financial, and risk experts to improve trading procedures, mentor incoming trading personnel, and test scheduling software.

The position requires in-person reporting to the official duty location and rotating 12-hour shift work. The incumbent must have computer aptitude, be able to develop and use spreadsheets, and use Microsoft Office applications to support scheduling, communications, and report preparation. The position is subject to FERC Standards of Conduct requirements and mandatory BPA training concerning independent functioning and nondiscriminatory access to transmission-related information.

Requirements

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must report in person to the official duty location in Portland, Oregon.
• Rotating 12-hour shift work is required.
• Good computer aptitude and ability to effectively develop and use computer spreadsheets.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products, including email and calendar tools and Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, to support scheduling and prepare reports.
• Working knowledge of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Standards of Conduct, including requirements for independent functioning, nondiscriminatory information access, and prohibited disclosure of certain transmission-related information; completion of mandatory BPA SOC training is required.
• For GS-09: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 administering a computer system and assisting with system troubleshooting, and preparing routine reports in word-processing or data-processing programs; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience may substitute.
• For GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 applying economic, accounting, or logistics principles to purchase, sale, or delivery of products; establishing business practices for contracting for purchase, sale, or delivery; and researching and summarizing data on electricity, gas, or other industry pricing or logistics practices; alternatively, qualifying doctoral education or a combination of education and experience may substitute.
• For GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 communicating marketing, scheduling, or technology information; providing technical support for power scheduling; and interpreting policies and procedures to determine practices for achieving program goals. Education cannot substitute for experience at this grade.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Applicants substituting education for experience must provide proof of qualifying education from an accredited institution; foreign education must be evaluated by a recognized organization.
• Must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Analyze power demand, weather forecasts, and river conditions to formulate and execute day-ahead, hour-ahead, and real-time energy bids.
• Buy and sell electricity and grid-support services across West Coast trading hubs to support commercial revenue and low consumer power rates.
• Participate strategically in organized regional electricity markets, including the Western Energy Imbalance Market, to dispatch generation and optimize regional clean-energy utilization.
• Manage real-time capacity of high-voltage transmission corridors, including redirecting, purchasing, or reselling surplus capacity.
• Execute emergency operational protocols during plant outages, extreme weather, or periods of high seasonal generation to balance supply and demand and protect grid reliability.
• Coordinate and author electronic routing tags and delivery schedules across utility boundaries, resolving schedule adjustments and line issues.
• Monitor wholesale customer power usage and schedule energy supplies to meet changing load needs and reduce exposure to imbalance charges.
• Collaborate with energy-efficiency and technology specialists to activate demand-response products and flexible contracts.
• Collaborate with legal, financial, and risk experts to improve trading procedures and playbooks.
• Mentor incoming trading personnel and test next-generation scheduling software.
• Communicate pertinent marketing, scheduling, or technology information; provide technical support for power scheduling; and interpret program policies and procedures to determine effective practices.
• Comply with FERC Standards of Conduct, including nondiscriminatory information access and restrictions on disclosure of transmission-related information, and complete mandatory BPA training.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.
• BPA offers work-life-balance programs and policies intended to support flexible and responsive work environments.
• BPA Be Well program supports career, community, financial, physical, and social wellness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed