Physical Scientist

Summary

This position is within Duty Scheduling (PGSD), Schedule Planning (PGS), Generation Asset Management (PG), Power Services. Make a real-world impact managing clean energy and river resources! We are seeking a Physical Scientist to lead real-time operations across our federal hydro network. You will balance power generation, energy market trades, environmental protection goals, and client supply contracts in a dynamic 24/7 environment. Join us to power the grid sustainably!

Duties

• This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town! Power the Pacific Northwest: Lead the Clean Energy Transition at the Bonneville Power Administration At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our mission is to power the Pacific Northwest with clean, reliable, and affordable hydroelectricity while championing environmental stewardship and fish and wildlife restoration across the region. As a Physical Scientist within Duty Scheduling, you will stand on the front lines of this mission-serving as a real-time decision-maker behind one of the largest renewable energy assets in North America, the Federal Columbia River Power System. In this dynamic role, you will apply physical science principles, mathematical modeling, and operational strategy to orchestrate river flow, balance high-stakes clean energy markets, and protect vital biological ecosystems. Key Responsibilities & Duties Direct Real-Time Hydropower & Reservoir Operations Oversee dynamic, round-the-clock reservoir and dam operations to continuously balance electrical grid power generation with non-power priorities such as flood risk management, recreation, and water storage. Lead Multi-Agency River System Coordination Collaborate directly with federal water management partners (including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation) and regional energy organizations to synchronize daily plant operations, maintenance schedules, and flow requirements. Drive Real-Time Energy Market Strategy & Grid Reliability Act as the primary technical authority within the regional energy market, adapting power generation schedules on the fly to support grid stability, meet real-time energy demands, and maximize system efficiency. Utilize Advanced Computer Simulation & Hydraulic Modeling Apply scientific principles and state-of-the-art predictive computer models to simulate river behavior, calculate real-time water capacity, and optimize complex operational strategies under changing environmental conditions. Champion Environmental Protection & Fishery Mandates Translate biological protection requirements and fishery restoration programs into practical hydro-scheduling decisions, safeguarding wildlife habitats while fulfilling clean energy commitments. Manage High-Value Clean Energy Supply Contracts Maintain high-precision model simulations to administer specialized energy contracts, dynamically calculating and communicating real-time capacity and energy allocation rights to regional power utility partners. Collaborate & Negotiate Across Inter-Utility Networks Represent generation supply interests during active shifts, working with non-federal utility partners and energy generation stations to resolve after-the-fact dispatch discrepancies, scheduling variances, and operational agreements. Provide Technical Mentorship & Operational Leadership Serve as a technical resource on shift for energy marketers and load specialists while actively training and mentoring junior scientists and operational trainees to build team technical excellence.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. or Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-07: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience performing 1) analytical work, 2) conducting model simulations, and 3) applying principles, theories, practices, and techniques in the physical sciences. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education. GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-07, in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) assisting with scientific studies that involve methods and techniques in interpreting findings of scientific significance, and 2) performing computer model simulation applying scientific principles for the implementation of river and reservoir operations. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) performing scientific studies that involve methods and techniques in interpreting findings of scientific significance, and 2) independently performing computer model simulation applying scientific principles for the implementation of river and reservoir operations. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). "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 Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account. To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation. You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application. You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://login.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.