Electrical Engineer

Full Job Description

This position is part of the WAPA-DSW-Desert Southwest.

As an Electrical Engineer, you will be responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating electrical designs, and provides electrical technical expertise for a diverse variety of construction activities.

The Desert Southwest Region's Engineering & Construction Office serves primarily the Desert Southwest Region's high-voltage transmission system throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

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 and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in at least two (2) of the following: Assisting in the preparation and routine review of electrical design drawings and operational studies for conventional power system additions and modifications of moderate complexity.

Providing basic electrical engineering advisory services for existing power systems and the electrical power grid, primarily focusing on routine maintenance, operational support, and problem identification.

Applying existing policies, practices, or guidelines for the utility industry within defined parameters and established procedures.

GS-13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year (1) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience in ALL of the following: Independently preparing and performing multi-faceted, in-depth technical reviews of complex, high-voltage electrical design drawings and comprehensive operational studies for significant and large-scale power system additions and modifications.

Providing expert electrical engineering advisory services, including independently resolving complex and novel technical problems on existing and proposed critical power systems and the electrical power grid.

Developing, proposing, and/or leading the implementation of new or revised engineering and/or operating policies, practices, or guidelines related to the utility industry, impacting broader organizational objectives.

Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience. There is no education substitution at the GS-12 or GS-13 level. "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. 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. Major Duties:

As an Electrical Engineer, you will perform the following duties at the full performance level: Prepare detailed electrical design and construction drawings for the Desert Southwest Region's Engineering & Construction Office, encompassing substations, transmission lines, and rehabilitation of specialized structures for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) projects.

Calculate quantities for pay items, determine current cost data, and prepare engineering estimates used to compare contractor bids for delegated construction work.

Review construction specifications and drawings prior to work for accuracy, technical adequacy of electrical design, and operational compatibility with existing and interconnecting systems.

Inspect electrical components during all phases of the construction of transmission lines, substations, and other facilities to ensure conformance with contract provisions.

Identifies problems and reports potential problems.

Develop inspection and testing procedures for relaying and control devices that will minimize or eliminate power outages to Western customers or disruption of the power system.

Oversees or directs acceptance testing performed by contractor and checks calibration of instruments and control devices.

Professional knowledge of electronic engineering theories, concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to address problems connected with the overall design, operation, and maintenance of power transmission system facilities and complex computer systems.