Description

Summary

This position is in Weather and Streamflow Forecasting (PGPW), Power and Operations Planning (PGP), Generation Asset Management (PG), Power Services (P), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). As the chief meteorologist/hydrologist for BPA, you will lead an expert team of scientists providing the critical weather and streamflow forecasts that guide our region's hydropower operations.

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!

Step into a vital leadership role where your scientific expertise will directly shape the future of clean energy for the Pacific Northwest. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is seeking a chief scientist and supervisor to lead the critical work of weather and streamflow forecasting. This isn't just about predicting the weather; it's about providing the foundational intelligence that drives our region's hydropower operations, influences multi-million-dollar energy marketing strategies, and safeguards our communities. In this position, you will be at the intersection of science, technology, and public service, ensuring the reliable, efficient, and cost-effective power supply that is the lifeblood of our region.

As the Supervisory Hydrologist/Meteorologist, you will:

• Lead and Direct High-Impact Forecasting: Direct all weather, streamflow, and water supply forecasting for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), producing the official forecasts that guide critical power and transmission operations across the entire Columbia River basin.
• Mentor an Elite Scientific Team: Supervise, inspire, and grow a dedicated team of expert meteorologists, hydrologists, and research analysts, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and professional development.
• Advise Senior Leadership: Serve as the top subject matter expert and trusted advisor to BPA's senior executives, providing authoritative guidance on meteorology and hydrologic science to inform high-level strategic planning and policy decisions.
• Represent BPA in International Coordination: Act as the final authority on behalf of BPA in critical coordination with Canadian counterparts, resolving complex streamflow forecast differences to satisfy international water treaty agreements.
• Own Critical Forecasting Technology: Serve as the "Information Owner" for all weather and streamflow forecasting IT systems, ensuring the integrity of the data and the reliability of the tools that drive BPA's business operations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

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.
• First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

1340 Meteorology

Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:

At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:

Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*

Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);

Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and

Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.

Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*

Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*

At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

* There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

or

Combination of education and experience course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

1315 Hydrologist

Degree in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.

or

Combination of education and experience course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 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-13] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience 1) developing and issuing complex hydrometeorological forecasts (e.g., streamflow, weather, climate) for operational decision-making in sectors like hydropower or water resource management; and 2) leading technical projects or providing authoritative scientific guidance to other scientists and stakeholders in the fields of hydrology or meteorology. This work would involve improving models and methods to analyze hydrologic processes and communicating those findings to inform high-level planning or operational strategies.

"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.

You 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. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.

EO 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

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.

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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.

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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.