Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, OR, is once again hiring multiple interns in 2022, including up to five in our Power Services Division, as part of the federal government’s Pathways Program. The BPA Power Services Division manages the energy planning and marketing, economic analysis, energy efficiency planning, and water and weather forecasting for the Federal Columbia River Power System. We are again seeking students and recent graduates who excel at researching and processing physical and econometric data, making sense out of it, communicating effectively both verbally and in writing, and helping us operate at the most cost-effective manner possible while meeting all of our statutory obligations.
We are planning to hire up to three interns in Operations Research Analyst fields (both current students and recent graduates), one hydrologist (both current students and recent grads) and one recently graduated Public Utilities Specialist. The Operations Research job classification is pretty generic, but most mathematics, economics, energy finance, engineering, environmental science, physical science, hydrology, water resource and meteorology/atmospheric science majors qualify for these positions. Business and marketing-related degrees are also well suited for the Public Utilities position. Applicants will have to follow the instructions in the Vacancy Announcement very carefully, especially the requirements to include transcripts and making sure resumes cover all of the information requested in the announcement. The turnaround time is a little shorter this year. Applications must be submitted by midnight on December 27th – over the upcoming holiday breaks.
The positions have been posted on USAJobs:
Operations Research Analyst (Student Intern)
Announcement #: 22-BPA-27602-11311824-ST: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/626636800
Hydrologist (Student Intern)
Announcement #: 22-BPA-27599-11298542-ST: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/626638900
Current students who are a year or two away from graduation may apply for the student internships at the GS-4 or GS-5 level (for undergrads) or the GS-7 level (for graduate students). These students will work over the summer of 2022, and probably into 2023 on either a part time basis or over a second summer. If they complete 640 hours of work with us and perform very well during their internship, they can become permanent BPA employees upon graduation, provided we have a permanent position available.
Operations Research Analyst (Recent Graduates)
Announcement #: 22-BPA-27603-11311843-RG: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/626636600
Hydrologist (Recent Graduates)
Announcement #: 22-BPA-27600-11298433-RG: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/626642200
Public Utilities Specialist (Recent Graduates)
Announcement #: 22-BPA-27601-11298321-RG: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/626644700
For those who are graduating this month or this coming spring, graduated within the past two years, or graduated and then served in the military within the past five years, the interns will be hired as Recent Graduates at the GS-7 or GS-9 level. The intern program for recent grads is slightly different in that selectees will work full-time for one full year. Like student interns, though, if they complete the full year and perform very well during that time, they can also become permanent BPA employees without further competition.
If you, or any of your students or recent grads, have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them. Our HR lead for interns, Diane Underwood, is also an excellent resource for those seeking information on how to apply (deunderwood@bpa.gov ). There is are a couple of excellent YouTube videos available on the BPA itself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzq1_m1WQFI; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q2QoeSr23Q) and how to apply for Federal positions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gih8-cwTCQU).