Electrical Engineer

Bureau of Reclamation • Billings, MT

1d

About The Position

Reclamation is seeking an Electrical Engineer to support meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. At the full performance level, the position performs complex engineering analyses and designs for electrical systems and facilities, including hydropower, transmission, pumping, control, and communication systems. Work includes technical planning, data collection, modeling, troubleshooting, risk assessment, and making engineering recommendations for projects with complex or unusual features. Duties are developmental in nature when the position is filled below the full performance level.

The engineer manages and oversees construction activities for electrical projects, including reviewing designs for constructability, developing technical specifications, evaluating contractor submittals, determining construction sequencing, and performing on-site inspections and acceptance activities. The role may serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). It also provides expertise for operations, maintenance, diagnostics, and reliability programs; coordinates scheduled and emergency maintenance; troubleshoots equipment; conducts diagnostic testing; evaluates test data; develops corrective actions; and improves the reliability of electrical systems, protection systems, Industrial Control Systems/Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition networks, and associated control infrastructure.

The position develops, prepares, and reviews technical engineering documentation and cost estimates, including technical reports, analyses, design criteria, drawings, job plans, Independent Government Cost Estimates, specifications, construction documentation, permit applications, and compliance materials. It presents technical findings in meetings and briefings and conducts facility investigations, assessments, inspections, and engineering reviews. The engineer plans and leads condition assessments, construction and transfer inspections, accident and incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and compliance reviews; identifies deficiencies; recommends corrective actions; and evaluates future capital investment or maintenance needs. The role also performs peer reviews, provides technical guidance to engineers and technicians, collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, and participates in or leads technical working groups.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• A physical examination or statement regarding physical ability is required; physical fitness standards must be maintained throughout employment.
• Must be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment requires written agency certification that employment advances the public interest.
• Must meet the engineering basic education or education-and-experience requirements, including an acceptable engineering degree or qualifying combination of education, training, licensure, examination, or related curriculum and experience. Transcripts are required where specified.
• At GS-11, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 involving electrical equipment or systems typical of a generation facility, test-result evaluation, review of electrical engineering design documents and submittals, or electrical design data review and cost estimating or sizing calculations; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience may qualify.
• At GS-12, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 serving as a team lead in the design, repair, testing, or modification of electrical equipment or systems typical of a generation facility, with proficiency in at least four listed system areas. Education cannot substitute for GS-12 experience.
• Applicants claiming experience must provide hours worked per week. Applicants using education to qualify must submit transcripts meeting the stated requirements.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a qualified credential interpretation organization and deemed equivalent to U.S. education.
• Must comply with safety instructions and regulations and promptly report unsafe acts, conditions, and accidents.
• Must comply with applicable Department of the Interior ethics prohibitions concerning claims or rights in Federal lands.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex engineering analyses and designs for electrical systems and facilities.
• Conduct technical planning, data collection, modeling, troubleshooting, and risk assessment for hydropower, transmission, pumping, control, and communication systems.
• Make engineering recommendations and decisions for projects with complex or unusual features.
• Manage and oversee construction activities for electrical projects, including constructability reviews, technical specifications, contractor submittals, construction sequencing, on-site inspections, and acceptance activities.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), as applicable.
• Provide electrical engineering expertise for operations, maintenance, diagnostics, and reliability programs.
• Coordinate scheduled and emergency maintenance; troubleshoot equipment; conduct diagnostic testing; evaluate test data; develop corrective actions; and optimize system reliability.
• Develop, prepare, and review technical engineering documentation and cost estimates, including reports, analyses, design criteria, drawings, job plans, Independent Government Cost Estimates, specifications, construction documentation, permit applications, and compliance materials.
• Present technical findings in meetings and briefings.
• Conduct facility investigations, assessments, inspections, and engineering reviews.
• Plan and lead condition assessments, construction and transfer inspections, accident and incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and compliance reviews.
• Identify deficiencies, recommend corrective actions, and evaluate future capital investment or maintenance needs.
• Perform peer reviews of engineering work products and provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and participate on or lead technical working groups related to electrical engineering and compliance.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified candidates on a case-by-case basis; it is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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