Electronics Engineer

Western Area Power Administration • Loveland, CO

13d

About The Position

This position is part of the Western Area Power Administration's Rocky Mountain Region or Upper Great Plains Region. The Electronics Engineer provides engineering expertise to develop, upgrade, and operate regional communication systems, SCADA systems, operations support systems, telemetering equipment, data distribution systems, and remote telemetry units (RTUs).

The role applies or adapts automated processes to resolve problems or improve real-time control and automated computing systems. It establishes technical design requirements, engineering approaches, and design constraints and standards; develops and maintains guidance and procedures for the power communications system; analyzes equipment failures and system malfunctions; and advises field offices and provides engineering guidance on ongoing automated systems. The engineer also monitors maintenance programs to support consistent implementation across the Region.

The work is primarily sedentary and normally performed in an office. Field work may occur indoors or outdoors in industrial areas, substations, or transmission-line environments. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required, including work during evenings, weekends, or holidays. The position may be filled at GS-12 or GS-13, with a full performance level of GS-13.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the 0800 Engineering Series through qualifying engineering education or an accepted combination of education and experience.
• Engineering education must meet the stated requirements, including an ABET-accredited engineering degree or qualifying coursework; alternatives include professional registration or licensure, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination or an equivalent written test, specified coursework, or qualifying related-curriculum education and professional engineering experience.
• Must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower Federal grade level.
• For GS-12 qualification, specialized experience must include providing technical assistance with fiber optics; radio systems (VHF, UHF, spread spectrum, or microwave); and data network technologies such as MPLS, SONET, TDM, IP, or VOIP.
• For GS-13 qualification, specialized experience must include using communications systems supporting transmission system facilities for SCADA or EMS computer systems and data and voice communication infrastructures, with experience in fiber optics, radio systems (VHF, UHF, spread spectrum, or microwave), and data network technologies such as MPLS, SONET, TDM, IP, or VOIP.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation; the position is Moderate Risk.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Education used to meet qualifications must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be reviewed by a recognized organization.
• Applicants must limit their resume to no more than two pages.

Responsibilities

• Apply or adapt automated processes to resolve problems or improve existing real-time control and automated computing systems.
• Establish system design technical requirements, engineering approaches, constraints, and standards.
• Develop and maintain guidelines, requirements, instructions, and procedures for the power communications system.
• Analyze equipment failures and system malfunctions and recommend or initiate adjustments, repairs, replacements, or other actions to prevent recurrence.
• Provide communications and system control engineering assistance and advice to field offices.
• Monitor maintenance programs to ensure necessary actions are implemented consistently throughout the Region.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to resolve engineering problems in ongoing automated systems.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• A selectee may be eligible for a recruitment or relocation incentive, subject to an employment agreement.
• Creditable service for annual leave accrual may be available for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service, subject to prior request and approval.
• Salary negotiation may be available for candidates new to Federal service.

What This Job Offers

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