Summary

This position is part of the Western Area Power Administration. As a High Voltage Electrician at the journeyman level, you will perform in the operation and maintenance functions of WAPA's high-voltage substations, transmission lines, associated facilities and equipment. The incumbent is a working member of the crew.

This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. See Additional Information section.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

As a High Voltage Electrician Journeyman, you will perform the following duties:

Install, construct, commission, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment in high voltage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers.
Substation station service systems, station grounding systems, alternating current. and direct current distribution and control system wiring, terminate, splice, direct bury high voltage cable up to 34.5 kV.
Safely operate vehicles up to 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) and vehicles of larger GVWR rating as required by the job location. Heavy equipment associated with substation maintenance may include utility trucks, skid steers, trenchers, tractor-trailer combinations, back hoes, aerial man lifts, loaders, diggers, cranes, snow vehicles and snowplows normally used in construction and maintenance activities of transmission line, substation and communication facilities.
Construct and commission new substations, stage additions, or infrastructure replacements or additions.
Perform switching in high voltage substations and switchyards. May receive clearances and hotline orders.
Operate and maintain oil processing equipment such as oil filtration pumps, auxiliary oil heating units, oil degasification units, cryogenic or refrigerated moisture traps.
Climb substation equipment and structures.
Provide technical guidance and training to apprentices and to other craft employees.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages.
Position is subject to random drug testing.
You must pass pre-employment drug testing.
You must pass pre-employment and annual medical examination.
Security clearance and associated requirements- moderate risk.
This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle. The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds GVWR. The CDL must be obtained within 120 days of employment, or longer if outside the control of the employee.
The incumbent must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
The incumbent must wear Arc Rated protective clothing when in proximity to exposed energized circuits.
The incumbent of this position is 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 requires the incumbent to climb structures averaging 65 feet in height.
This position requires a climbing weight not to exceed 310 pounds with all required gear and personal weight without gear not to exceed 280 pounds.
This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter during the performance of assigned duties.
The position may require nationally accredited crane certification for fixed and/or swing boom cranes. If so, training will be provided at Federal expense.
Total salary varies depending on location of position.

Qualifications

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.

The screen-out element for this position is below. Failure to meet this screen out element will result in an ineligible rating:

Ability to do the work of a journeyman electrician in high voltage power systems (69KV and higher) to include the ability to install, construct, commission, maintain, trouble and repair equipment in high volage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers independently without more than normal supervision.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by job titles alone.

"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.

Working Conditions:
Be able to wear protective apparel (such as respirators, steel-toed footwear) when required for worker safety. Work is both inside and out-of-doors with exposure to hazardous materials and the possibility of electric shock, falls, bruises, cuts, burns, strains, and inclement weather. May be required to fly to work sites by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Work may require considerable travel requiring temporary lodging away from the duty station.

Physical Effort:
Active climbing, lifting, working in strained positions. Work from ladders, scaffolds, and man-lift devices. May work from substation's support structures which requires the use of appropriate fall protection equipment. Install and repair equipment in confined and enclosed spaces. Regularly lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds or more.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants.
- Applications received by March 27, 2026, will be considered for the first referral.
- Applications received after March 27, 2026, but by April 24, 2026, will be considered for the second referral.
- Applications received after April 24, 2026, but by June 12, 2026, will be considered for the final referral.
You do not need to resubmit your application between referral periods unless your contact information, qualifications, or interest change.
Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this position is Journeyman.
The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
Salary Ranges:
- California Duty Locations: $75.45 - $78.59
- Colorado Duty Locations: $61.60 - $64.17
- Montana Duty Locations: $57.50 - $59.90
- North Dakota Duty Locations: $57.50 - $59.90
- Wyoming Duty Locations: $61.60 - $64.17
This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
Ability To Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
Ability to Use Electrical Drawings
Knowledge of Electrical Equipment
Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices
Trouble shooting

Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (06/12/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12906037.

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 the 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).

If applicable:

Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
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 you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/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.

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://my.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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/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://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

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.

Agency contact information

PMA Careers

Email

PMACareers@wapa.gov

Address

WAPA-UGP-Upper Great Plains
12155 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.

You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

03/12/2026 to 06/12/2026

Salary

$57.50 to - $78.59 per hour

Total salary varies depending on location of position

Pay scale & grade

WB 00

Locations

6 vacancies in the following locations:

Elverta, CA

Keswick, CA

Tracy, CA

Brush, CO

Show morefewer locations (4)

Glendive, MT

Miles City, MT

Williston, ND

Casper, WY

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

75% or less - Overnight Travel of 25-75% annually is required.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

2810 High Voltage Electrician

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

Yes

Announcement number

26-WAPA-00357-12906037-DE

Control number

860899300

US Western Area Power Administration

About Company

High Voltage Electrician