Power System Dispatcher

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: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. To qualify for the AD-03: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade or pay band in the Federal service. I have specialized experience equivalent to the AD-02/GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience includes: Power system operator experience with centralized SCADA/EMS control of power system equipment with 34.5 kV or higher 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 with high voltage level. To qualify for the AD-04: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade or pay band in the Federal service. I have specialized experience equivalent to the AD-03/GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience includes: Power system operator experience with interconnected system monitoring of voltages, power flows, maintaining limits, responding to changing system conditions, meeting safety, reliability, and 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. I am currently NERC certified. (You must submit a copy of your NERC certification. Failure to do so will result in your being removed from consideration at this grade). “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. Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is primarily sedentary and requires sitting in one position for long periods of time withintense 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 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 subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold. This position may be subject 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. Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
This position is part of the WAPA-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region. As a Power System Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the real-time operations of the Bulk Power Systems (BPS) performing real-time actions, during normal and emergency conditions, to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Power System. **This is not a remote position. The selectee will be required to be physically present at the Loveland, Colorado duty location.**