Power System Dispatcher at Department of Energy

Not Required

Duties

As a Power System Dispatcher, some of your duties will include: Create and maintain accurate logs to document operations, including instructions given, information received, and actions taken. Record pertinent dispatcher actions, decisions, and observations neatly and accurately. Take prompt and appropriate actions to maintain strict compliance with FERC Standards of Conduct and NERC Standards. Utilize EMS and other advanced applications to control, record, modify parameters, verify, and analyze BPS and lower voltage systems operational data. Comply with the Operating Instructions from the Reliability Coordinator and/or other power system operating entities, as appropriate, for both real-time and next-day operating events. Coordinate actions with other dispatchers, customers, external companies, marketing personnel, generator operators, reliability coordinators, and management, as necessary to implement operations plan. This is a developmental position designed to prepare the incumbent to perform duties at the full performance level AD-0303-04. dispatcher. If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) are at the discretion of the supervisor and are not guaranteed.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service. Incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Driver's certification and have a valid driver's license. Defensive Driver's training will be completed upon employment. Occasional travel of up to 5-10% annually is required, with overnight travel possible during all or part of the time. Incumbent is subject to the random drug and alcohol testing program established by the Department of Energy. A pre-appointment and annual physical is required at Federal expense. This position is designated Emergency Essential. Incumbent may be subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. This position requires incumbent to work 12-hour rotating shifts and reoccurring overtime on short notice to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Incumbent may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc Rated protective clothing. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in helicopter or fixed wing aircraft in the performance of assigned duties. This position may be in the Bargaining unit. In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Department of Energy (DOE) employees participating in the OPM or DOE Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) are not eligible to apply for this announcement. DRP participants are not considered active DOE employees because they have agreed to separate from the agency.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: To qualify for the AD-3: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-2/GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes: Power system operator experience with centralized SCADA/EMS control of power system equipment with high voltage power lines and substations; OR Power plant or control center operator experience, where normal duties include direct SCADA control over multiple, remotely operated power plants, OR Operations or maintenance experience executing switching programs for clearances or other general switching actions on power system equipment at high voltage levels preferably at or above 34.5kV. To qualify for the AD-4: Applicants must have one year (52) weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-3/GS-11 in the Federal service. This experience includes all the following: Power system operator experience with interconnected system monitoring of voltages, power flows, maintaining limits, responding to changing system conditions, meeting safety, reliability, coordination requirements, and adhering to applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines, AND Applying power system switching procedures to prepare, check and direct routine and emergency switching activities, AND Using a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA/Energy Management System (EMS) to monitor system conditions and respond to contingencies, AND I am currently NERC certified. You must submit a copy of your NERC certification with your application. Failure to do so will result in your being removed from consideration at this grade. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is primarily sedentary and requires sitting in one position for long periods of time with intense concentration. The incumbent may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ARC Rated protective clothing when in proximity to exposed energized circuits. The incumbent must be able to analyze information and make complex decisions under pressure. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in an office setting. The position is in a continuous operation control center, requiring the incumbent to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Occasional field training will be required to various BPS and lower voltage system facilities and training classes. The incumbent may be subjected to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. This position may be subjected to regular and recurring overtime. Overtime may be on short notice to include nights, holidays, and weekends in support of related mission requirements. This position is designated as Emergency Essential. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs, (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other organizations, e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social.) Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Other Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov. Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement. If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed. The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.