Public Utilities Specialist (Contracts)

Bonneville Power Administration • Vancouver, WA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in the Contract Administration organization (TPCC) of Customer Service Engineering, System Planning, Transmission Services. The Public Utilities Specialist (Contracts) manages customer requests to connect new energy generation to the regional transmission system and develops, executes, and administers complex transmission agreements. The role serves as a commercial bridge between BPA and external energy partners, helping advance energy projects while supporting a reliable, affordable, and accessible power grid.

The specialist guides connection requests through the queue, develops agreements covering feasibility studies, engineering, construction, equipment testing, and balancing authority transitions, and advises BPA managers, account executives, and customer teams on policies and regulations. The position leads compliance with open-access transmission tariffs and operational guidelines, supports internal financial controls and risk management, and improves contracting processes. It also oversees executed contracts through amendments, milestones, billing verification, and work-order coordination, while collaborating with internal specialists and representing the group on cross-agency initiatives.

Requirements

• For GS-11, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, assisting with customer interconnection requests in an electric utility, power industry, or regulatory compliance framework and administering technical-services contracts, including milestone tracking, payment processing, and coordination with internal and external parties.
• For GS-11, qualifying education may substitute for experience: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; a combination of qualifying education and experience may also be used.
• For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, managing customer interconnection requests through interpretation and application of regulations, policies, and business practices related to utility or power transmission systems; developing, implementing, and administering technical-services contracts; and providing stakeholders technical guidance on applicable standards and contract terms.
• Education cannot substitute for experience at the GS-12 level.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Males must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must report in person to the official duty location.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work.
• Must understand internal risk management controls (OMB A-123), internal contract policies and procedures, and Standards of Conduct guidelines.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• If using education to qualify, provide proof of qualifying education from an accredited institution; foreign education must be evaluated by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Applicants must answer eligibility and qualification questions completely and truthfully.

Nice To Haves

• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage customer requests to connect new energy generation to the regional transmission system and guide them through the queue.
• Resolve bottlenecks and support fair, timely, and compliant progression of interconnection requests.
• Design, draft, implement, and administer complex commercial transmission contracts for feasibility studies, engineering, construction, equipment testing, and balancing authority transitions.
• Advise BPA managers, account executives, and external customer teams on contracting policies and regulatory requirements.
• Lead compliance with BPA open-access transmission tariffs and operational guidelines, interpreting federal energy regulations.
• Evaluate business practices and implement internal controls to address financial and commercial risks, including requirements such as OMB Circular A-123.
• Analyze contracting workflows, identify inefficiencies or policy gaps, and develop, communicate, and implement improved procedures.
• Oversee the lifecycle of executed contracts, including amendments, milestone tracking, billing verification, and coordination with financial teams to create project work orders.
• Build working relationships with environmental specialists, transmission planners, lawyers, engineers, and other BPA teams.
• Represent the group on cross-agency initiative teams to support standardized utility business practices.

Benefits

• Comprehensive 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed