IT Specialist (Software Development)

Bonneville Power Administration • Vancouver, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in System Development and Support (JDD), Grid Ops Application Services (JD), Information Technology (J). The IT Specialist performs software development work primarily focused on .NET and Java application development, user-interface framework integration, and modern web application development supporting high-consequence grid operations.

The role leads end-to-end development of scalable web applications and modular architectures; builds client-side interfaces, RESTful APIs, and real-time data services; and connects control-center systems, legacy electrical engineering databases, and utility operational feeds. The specialist works with transmission operators and engineers to turn electrical-flow, telemetry, and system data into intuitive interfaces and responsive web consoles.

The position drives projects from concept through production by translating operational requirements into technical designs, mentoring multidisciplinary developer teams, conducting code reviews, and establishing agile workflows. It also evaluates software practices, prototypes methodologies, and builds automated testing and CI/CD pipelines. Security is integrated throughout the software stack, with applications required to comply with federal cybersecurity and bulk electric system reliability benchmarks, including NERC CIP and FISMA.

The position is located in Vancouver, Washington. The employee must report in person to the official duty location. The role may include scheduled or ad hoc on-call duties, including after hours, weekends, and holidays, at management's discretion. A public-trust background investigation is required, and the employee may be required to complete a probationary period.

Requirements

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements if male.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation; the position requires a public-trust background, with a preliminary background check before starting work.
• Must demonstrate IT-related experience or appropriate intensive training showing proficiency in attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving at the GS-13 advanced level.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service.
• Specialized experience designing, coding, testing, and modifying web-based applications using languages and frameworks such as .NET, Java, or modern client-side technologies.
• Specialized experience developing and integrating RESTful web services or application interfaces to facilitate data exchange across systems.
• Specialized experience conducting systems analysis to define functional requirements, assess software quality, and resolve operational or technical issues across the systems development life cycle.
• Must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Must report in person to the official duty location.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants are encouraged to answer four short, free-response essay questions; answers are not scored or rated.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end software development using modern enterprise frameworks, including .NET and Java.
• Design scalable web applications and implement modular architectures.
• Build modern client-side user interfaces for grid operations.
• Engineer RESTful APIs and real-time data services connecting control-center systems, legacy electrical engineering databases, and utility operational feeds.
• Collaborate with transmission operators and engineers to develop intuitive interfaces and responsive web consoles using electrical-flow, telemetry, and system data.
• Translate operational user requirements into technical blueprints and guide projects from concept to production.
• Mentor multidisciplinary developer teams and conduct code reviews.
• Establish modern agile development workflows.
• Benchmark software practices and build prototypes to test new methodologies.
• Establish automated testing and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Embed security-by-design throughout the software stack and ensure applications comply with federal cybersecurity and bulk electric system reliability benchmarks, including NERC CIP and FISMA.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• BPA offers programs and policies intended to support work/life balance and flexible, responsive work environments.
• Be Well wellness program supporting career, community, financial, physical, and social well-being.

What This Job Offers

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