Program Specialist (Hotline)

Bonneville Power Administration • Portland, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Compliance, Audit and Risk Management, Internal Audit, Oversight Organization, and is located in Portland, Oregon. The Program Specialist leads BPA’s Hotline and Employee Concerns Program, supporting agency integrity, workplace fairness, ethical accountability, and public trust. The role involves independently investigating complex concerns, coordinating with the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, advising employees and managers, delivering education and outreach, and recommending improvements based on case trends and program assessments.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in Federal service.
• Experience independently planning, organizing, and conducting complex investigations into workplace concerns, employee misconduct, ethics violations, or allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Experience interviewing witnesses, gathering and analyzing documentary evidence, and maintaining confidential case records.
• Experience serving as a liaison or primary point of contact for oversight bodies, such as an Office of Inspector General, regulatory agency, internal audit, ethics office, or legal counsel.
• Experience coordinating referrals, analyzing complaint and trend data, drafting technical investigative reports, and developing outreach or training to promote program awareness and reporting mechanisms.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must answer all application eligibility and qualification questions completely and truthfully.
• Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Must report in person to the official duty location.
• Males must comply with Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants are encouraged to answer four short, free-response essay questions in the questionnaire; responses are not scored or rated but may be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget availability and Federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, organize, and conduct objective, confidential investigations into complex employee concerns, including fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and safety reprisal allegations.
• Serve as BPA’s primary point of contact for Department of Energy Office of Inspector General referrals; triage complaints, coordinate investigation milestones, and prepare executive response packages and corrective action reports.
• Evaluate incoming reports for risk, jurisdiction, legal requirements, and appropriate resolution, including formal investigations, management inquiries, or specialized referrals.
• Develop investigative plans, interview witnesses, gather and secure documentation, and prepare comprehensive findings for executive decision-making and operational improvement.
• Advise employees and managers confidentially on workplace rights, standards of conduct, ethics guidelines, and alternative dispute resolution options.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate agency training and educational materials concerning hotline awareness, employee rights, and protection from retaliation.
• Track and analyze complaint data and trends, identify root causes, conduct program self-assessments, and recommend improvements to executive leadership.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Legal Counsel, Security, and internal management to support implementation of systemic corrective actions.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• 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