Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Technical Lead) (GS-13)

Summary

This position is within the Real-Time Trading and Scheduling (PTFR), Trading Floor (PTF) group of the Bulk Marketing (PT) organization within the Power Services (P) business line of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Elevate your career as a Technical Lead! Champion advanced power trading systems, train real-time market operators, and influence regional energy policy to ensure reliable, affordable electricity across the Pacific Northwest.

Duties

Power the Clean Energy Future of the Pacific Northwest: Lead at the Intersection of Technology, Policy, and Real-Time Energy Markets The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) plays an essential role in the Pacific Northwest, delivering reliable, carbon-free hydroelectric power to millions of homes and businesses while keeping energy rates affordable and championing environmental stewardship. At the heart of this critical mission is BPA's 24/7 trading floor, where energy is scheduled, balanced, and delivered in real time across an interconnected regional grid. As a Customer Account Executive (Real-Time Technical Lead), you will serve as the operational backbone and technical visionary for this fast-paced trading environment. Bridging the gap between software development, energy economics, and high-stakes operations, you will empower market specialists with advanced digital tools, guide strategic industry policy, and ensure the Pacific Northwest's power grid runs efficiently and reliably around the clock. Key Responsibilities & High-Impact Duties Lead the Evolution of Critical Energy Trading & Scheduling Systems Serve as the lead technical authority overseeing the systems that drive real-time power transactions. Partner directly with software engineers and IT specialists to design, modernize, and maintain advanced digital tools that adapt seamlessly to fluctuating market conditions, complex contracts, and grid interconnections. Represent the Agency on Regional and National Energy Committees Act as a key ambassador for BPA across inter-agency working groups, regional reliability organizations, and national energy policy forums. Influence emerging market designs, transmission policies, and technical standards while establishing collaborative relationships with external utilities and power-trading partners. Drive Workflow Automation and Process Innovation Analyze daily trading and dispatch workflows to identify bottlenecks and evaluate opportunities for automation. Champion cutting-edge analytical tools and streamlined practices that improve transaction speed, reduce operational risk, and maximize economic efficiency across the trading floor. Design and Champion Premier Training Programs Build, deliver, and continuously refine comprehensive training curricula that transform complex power-scheduling concepts into actionable expertise. Mentor emerging talent, onboard new operators, and ensure the trading floor is proficient in evolving market rules and technical procedures. Spearhead Operational Strategy and Policy Adaptation Translate intricate federal regulations, transmission tariffs, and commercial requirements into straightforward, standardized operating procedures. Continuously evaluate shifting energy market trends and proactively update internal protocols to keep operations compliant and agile. Foster High-Stakes, Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as a vital liaison uniting diverse internal and external stakeholders-including day-ahead trading desks, transmission engineers, legal counsel, risk analysts, and customer utilities. Build consensus on complex initiatives and resolve operational challenges across organizational boundaries. Optimize Wholesale Power Resources and Contract Execution Provide authoritative technical guidance on power purchase and sales commitments, ensuring transactions maximize value for public power customers while strictly observing environmental constraints, river system requirements, and statutory obligations. Serve as the Senior Operational Subject-Matter Expert Step onto the trading floor as a premier technical resource during critical grid events, peak seasonal periods, or specialized market scenarios. Ensure seamless continuity of round-the-clock operations and maintain clear, high-level operational intelligence for executive leadership. ??????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!

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) performing real-time power scheduling and wholesale energy marketing operations, including utilizing energy management and scheduling systems, monitoring market conditions, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and transmission policies; and 2) developing standard operating procedures and training materials, providing technical guidance or on-the-job instruction to trading and scheduling personnel, and collaborating with cross-functional technical teams to test, update, and enhance power marketing and scheduling systems. "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 candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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. Lead will be authorized to work either a Monday-Friday core hour position or a 10-hr shift "day shift" position working four days a week (Monday-Friday).

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 Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning 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 (11/04/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13100513 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.

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.

Other information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/ Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment. We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.