Public Utilities Specialist (Trader)

Summary

This position is within the Trading Floor (PTF) group of the Bulk Marketing (PT) organization within the Power Services (PS) business line of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). As a Power Trader, you will negotiate high-value power sales, develop market strategies, and manage energy inventory. Directing millions in annual revenue, you’ll balance grid supply and demand in a fast-paced environment while building lasting utility partnerships.

Duties

• Drive the Deal: Power the Pacific Northwest and Shape the Energy Market At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), we are the engine behind the Pacific Northwest's clean energy future.
• We deliver reliable, carbon-free hydroelectric power to millions of people, and our success relies on strategic, real-time decision-making.
• As a Public Utilities Specialist (Power Trader), you will step onto one of the most dynamic trading floors in the energy sector.
• Managing transactions that generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, you will have the autonomy to negotiate complex contracts, optimize surplus power, and balance the grid.
• This is your chance to combine financial acumen, analytical expertise, and negotiation skills to make a massive, tangible impact on the regional economy and the green energy transition.
• Key Responsibilities & Impact 1.
• Lead Daily Power Negotiations and Maximize Revenue Serve as the principal negotiator for the purchase and sale of short-term power products (including daily, weekly, and monthly transactions).
• You will proactively identify market opportunities to buy and sell surplus energy, directly driving the agency's financial health. 2.
• Design and Execute Strategic Customer Plans Develop customized market plans for key utility and power customers.
• By building strong, trust-based relationships and understanding client needs, you will design specialized trading strategies that maximize revenue while meeting client demands. 3.
• Optimize Regional Transmission and Grid Capacity Actively manage and trade excess transmission capacity.
• You will monitor grid availability and strategically redirect, purchase, or resell transmission paths to ensure energy flows efficiently and cost-effectively across the region. 4.
• Pioneer and Launch Innovative Energy Products Serve as the commercial lead in developing, designing, and implementing brand-new power products and trading strategies.
• You will tailor custom energy and capacity solutions to solve complex customer challenges. 5.
• Master and Trade in Evolving Western Energy Markets Keep a pulse on the rapidly changing energy landscape across the West, including the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the Western Electricity Coordination Council (WECC).
• You will design and execute trading tactics to hit annual secondary revenue targets. 6.
• Deliver High-Value Market and Financial Analysis Use advanced analytical skills to make risk-informed financial decisions in a fast-paced, high-stress trading environment.
• You will evaluate power values, line congestion, transmission costs, and natural gas fundamentals to price products competitively. 7.
• Manage Delivery Risks and Monitor Grid Systems Proactively monitor industry scheduling systems and transmission databases to track energy flows.
• You will quickly assess the risk of delivery interruptions, identify alternative transmission pathways, and protect BPA from costly energy imbalances. 8.
• Navigate Regulatory Compliance and Influence Policy Act as a key advisor on complex market policies, energy regulations, and transmission rules.
• You will participate in high-level agency policy discussions and ensure all trading and marketing practices strictly align with national and regional energy standards.

Requirements

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically.

You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully. Key Requirements: You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.

You will be required to report in person to the official duty location. Conditions of Employment: Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process. Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Selection will be based on skills and competencies, not educational credentials or self-reported experience. Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, your will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated “well-qualified”, which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (06/25/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12987219 USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes: Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Information on how to create a federal resume https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/account/documents/resume Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.
• Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable.
• It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement: SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): Most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
• If selected for the position you MUST submit: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and incentive awards, you received in the last 5 years.
• The assigned HR Specialist will verify review this documentation to ensure selectee has at least a satisfactory performance rating before setting the entrance on duty date.
• If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, you will be asked to submit a statement as to why it is not available.