Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer role at the U.S. Southwestern Power Administration places you on site in Tulsa, Oklahoma, contributing to substation design, planning, and power-system improvements within a federal agency. This developmental position includes supervision and formal training to advance toward the full performance level of GS-13, with a compensation range of USD 57,999 to 145,483 annually and a requirement for a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Carry out developmental work on substation construction and engineering tasks, including design planning, inspections, scheduling, preparing drawings and estimates, drafting technical specifications, and conducting studies.
• Develop recommendations to resolve engineering issues related to power system equipment, operations, maintenance, and procurement, and respond to inquiries as assigned.
• Prepare designated portions of design standards, guidelines, and proposed changes or additions to existing substation applications and guides.
• Participate in power facility planning and in the review and evaluation of Architect-Engineer proposals for technical compliance with requirements.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• 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 complete a probationary or trial period, during which employment may be terminated for performance, conduct, or business reasons.
• Applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response essay questions in the questionnaire. These answers are not scored but will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if referred for selection consideration.
• Limit your resume to two pages; only the first two pages will be reviewed for eligibility and qualifications.
• Incumbent must wear PPE and follow standard safety procedures.
• Ability to operate a government vehicle; must be 18+ years old, obtain and maintain Defensive Driving certification, and possess a valid state driver's license; Defensive Driver Training will be provided at employment.
• Occasional travel up to 25-30% annually, with potential overnight travel.
• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 0800 Series.
• Education: Engineering. The program must lead to a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited school or include the specified calculus and engineering science coursework, or a combination of education and experience meeting professional engineering standards. See the note on combinations of education and experience for acceptable alternatives.

• GS-5: Meet the IOR for the 0800 series as described above.
• GS-7: One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent that includes applying practical electrical engineering concepts to routine projects and preparing portions of design standards or updates to substation applications.
• GS-9: One year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level or equivalent, plus ability to perform routine engineering projects related to power systems operations or transmission planning, and prepare design documentation; substitution options include two years of progressively higher-level graduate education or other combinations of education and experience as described.
• GS-11: One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level or equivalent, including compiling design and procurement packages for transmission facilities or substation projects and performing protective-relay development and related tasks; substitutions include three years of graduate education leading to a PhD or equivalent, or other combinations as described.
• GS-12: One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, including project scheduling, monitoring performance, and documenting progress across electrical engineering projects; substitutions as described for higher degrees or combined education and experience.
• GS-13: One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent, including participation in all phases of electrical engineering projects from initial studies through design and engineering drawing preparation; additional environmental studies and budget development may be involved; substitutions described above apply.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal benefits package
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent

This job is open to

• The public: U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the United States
• Clarification from the agency: U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Additional information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide telework policies, see telework.gov.
• Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation during the application or competition process for medical conditions or religious beliefs.
• If selected at a lower grade, promotion to the full performance level may occur without further competition, contingent on performance; promotions are not guaranteed.
• Promotion potential for this position is GS-13.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered; an employment agreement is required for eligibility.
• Permanent Change of Station costs are not authorized.
• Creditable service toward annual leave may be considered; credit for non-federal experience or active duty may apply.
• Salary negotiation may be available for candidates new to Federal service.
• Experience may include paid or unpaid work; volunteer work is creditable if it demonstrates qualifying competencies.
• Physical demands: primarily sedentary, with possible walking, standing, bending, climbing, or driving during field trips or site visits; no special physical effort required.
• Work environment: office setting with occasional visits to operating facilities; potential exposure to hazards around energized circuits while at HV transmission lines and substations; PPE is required.

How you will be evaluated

Applicants will be assessed on how well they meet the stated qualifications. A structured resume review by subject matter experts will evaluate the first two pages of your resume for technical fit. The agency uses a category rating process after reviewing your resume, supporting documentation, and questionnaire responses to determine qualification and suitability. Veterans' preference will be applied to the extent allowed by law.