Substation Operator Trainee

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in the Transmission Field Services (TF) at multiple substation locations.

A successful candidate in the Substation Operator Trainee 1 position will learn a variety of tasks designed to provide experience which will enhance technical understanding and skill in the use of the tools and equipment of the trade. In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position. Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C).

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess these elements and screen out. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the elements and screen out identified below.

This job has a screen-out factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) or who do not score at least half of the total points possible across all elements will be found ineligible.

The screen-out element for this position is:
Experience and skill to successfully perform the job of a Substation Operator Trainee I is the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision in operating and energizing high and low-voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission or substations systems.
Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Requires good balance to climb ladders, perform repair duties, and while switching and changing fuses. Walking on uneven surfaces. To operate motor vehicles and to climb ladders and stairs. Must be able to work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding. Drives vehicles to and from work sites, monitor and operate various communication systems; perform office work. Average of 3-4 hours per day. Walk/stand on uneven, slippery surfaces, including steep inclines in all weather conditions.

Must be able to move rapidly to and from the control house at various locations in the switchyard (distances of up to one-quarter mile) several times in succession during the execution of switching operations. Ability to raise, lower and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length. Performs inspections and cleaning duties. Requires good spatial ability/depth perception and sufficient color discrimination to distinguish color-coding or shade variations.

Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40.

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions, during the day or night. Work is also performed on uneven, outdoor surfaces, including steep inclines, on…