Electrical Engineer

Southwestern Power Administration • Jonesboro, AR

12d

About The Position

This developmental Electrical Engineer position has a full performance level of GS-13. The employee works under close supervision while performing electrical engineering assignments and completing training to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the role. If hired at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be possible without further competition, at the supervisor’s discretion and without guarantee.

The position involves engineering work related to substations, infrastructure, systems under contract, projects, and programs. Work is primarily in an office setting, with some trips to operating facilities and occasional work at high-voltage transmission lines and substations. Field work may involve hazards around energized circuits and equipment, requiring protective clothing and compliance with safety procedures. The position requires the ability to operate a government vehicle, a valid state driver’s license, and the ability to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification. The employee must wear required personal protective equipment.

The position requires a qualifying engineering education or an accepted combination of education and experience. Applicants must meet the basic engineering requirement and the applicable qualifications for the grade sought. The announcement describes qualification pathways for GS-05, GS-07, and GS-09, including relevant experience and education. A background investigation is required, and the position is designated moderate risk. A probationary or trial period may be required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet the basic engineering requirement through a qualifying engineering degree, an accepted combination of education and experience, or one of the specified alternatives such as registration/licensure, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, qualifying coursework, or a related curriculum with appropriate experience.
• Must meet the applicable grade-level qualification requirements for the grade sought.
• For GS-07 experience qualification: at least one year equivalent to GS-05 applying electrical engineering concepts to routine engineering projects and preparing portions of substation design standards, guidelines, or related materials; specified education alternatives are also described.
• For GS-09 experience qualification: at least one year equivalent to GS-07 applying electrical engineering concepts to routine projects related to power systems operations, transmission planning, or power systems reliability, and preparing project cost estimates; specified graduate education and combined education-and-experience alternatives are also described.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must be able to operate a government vehicle, be at least 18 years old, hold a valid state driver's license, and obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification.
• Must wear personal protective equipment and follow standard safety procedures.
• Must comply with the two-page resume limit; only the first two pages will be reviewed if a longer resume is submitted.
• Applicants relying on education must provide qualifying accredited education documentation; unofficial transcripts must be uploaded with the application and official transcripts are required before entering on duty.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must successfully complete a probationary or trial period if required.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants are encouraged to answer four short, optional essay questions in the questionnaire; answers are not scored or rated but may be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership.
• A selectee may be eligible for a recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to signing an employment agreement.

Responsibilities

• Perform a range of engineering tasks within a functional area, independently or under the close direction of a senior engineer.
• Analyze and solve multiple aspects of developmental assignments and integrate the results into a final solution.
• Perform work segments of broader projects.
• Prepare assigned portions of design standards, guidelines, and changes or additions to existing substation applications, standards, and guides.
• Analyze and solve aspects of assignments involving substations, infrastructure, systems under contract, projects, and programs.
• Review and prepare portions of briefings for senior management, regulators, and headquarters staff.
• Assist in resolving issues affecting assigned programs or projects, with support from technical experts inside or outside the organization.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.
• Salary negotiation may be available for candidates new to Federal service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level