Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time)

This Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time) position is with Western Area Power Administration (Department of Energy) in Phoenix, AZ. As an Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time), you will be responsible for predictive studies for the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System. These activities include real time reliability studies and mitigation strategies for transmission operations in the respective region. *This is not a remote position. The selectee must report to one of the duty locations identified in this announcement.* Key duties: • As an Electrical Engineer (Power System Real Time) at the full performance level, you will: Conduct real-time, current-day, and next-day transmission studies for the Bulk Electric System (BES) and impacted facilities owned by, operated by, or interconnected to the Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region transmission system. Real-time and immediate operations horizon power system applications include (but are not limited to) event analysis, contingency planning, outage coordination, and performing operational technical studies including the usage of real-time state estimation software. Provide technical assistance to real-time operating personnel about the effects proposed switching and operating procedures have on the power system and the individual elements, within the real-time study horizon. Carry primary responsibility for conducting or coordinating studies and mitigation plans required by NERC Standards, Regional Entity Standards and the Reliability Coordinator for a range of expected operating conditions. Conduct analysis, problem solving, development, implementation, and reporting of technical findings related to the Western Area Power Administration Upper Great Plains Region transmission system for normal and emergency operating conditions are of primary importance. Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. In order to be qualified for this position, you must meet the basic requirement AND minimum qualification requirements for the grade level(s) in which you apply. Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the following: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. (You must submit licensure or registration.) Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. (You must submit documentation) Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience. To qualify at the AD-01/GS-07 Grade Level: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0850 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes: Knowledge of electrical engineering theories, practices, principles, and techniques. OR Education: One (1) year of graduate-level education or Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A). OR A combination of education and experience to successfully perform the duties of the position. To qualify at the AD-02/GS-09: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 0850 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-01/GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes: Application of electrical engineering theories, practices, principles, and techniques. OR Education: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related. OR A combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position. To qualify at the AD-03/GS-11: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 0850 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-02/GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes: Knowledge of general electrical engineering principles and practices applicable to the planning, deployment, and operation of high voltage (100 kV or higher) interconnected electrical power systems comprised of transmission and power generation, including controls, communications, and components involved in the operation and protection of high voltage electric power systems. Application of electrical engineering theories, practices, principles, and techniques. OR Education: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. OR A combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position. To qualify at the AD-04/GS-12:In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 0850 series, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the AD-03/GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. This experience includes: Knowledge of general electrical engineering principles and practices applicable to the planning, deployment, and operation of high voltage (100 kV or higher) interconnected electrical power systems comprised of transmission and power generation, including controls, communications, and components involved in the operation and protection of high voltage electric power systems. Application of electrical engineering theories, practices, principles, and techniques. Experience with the utilization of power flow and stability software as well as real-time state estimation software. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.