BOR Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineering

GS-0850

Position Overview

Electrical engineers are responsible for overseeing electrical equipment and systems at DOI facilities. These professionals ensure the safe and effective operation of electrical systems across the country, from park headquarters to major dams.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is a person with a keen attention for detail that can work effectively with others. They should be able to apply their electrical engineering expertise in order to creatively solve problems, analyze systems, and provide recommendations to others.

Work Environment

Depending on the group or team, electrical engineers can spend time in office settings, electrical labs, or performing field work.  Some employees spend a majority of their time in the field and lab environments.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Professional and Scientific Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Assists with analyses and tests
    • Drafts reports
    • Performs calculations
    • Prepares engineering drawings and specifications

  • Mid:

    • Performs life cycle cost analyses for evaluation of electrical options in construction projects
    • Prepares reports, spreadsheets, and other data
    • Performs field testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of electrical equipment

  • Journey:

    • Designs, implements, maintains, or improves electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems
    • Provides advice on methods to be used; Reviews completed work for technical adequacy, accuracy, validity, and conformance with policies and procedures
    • Composes technical manuals and guidance for field personnel; Conducts training
    • Performs research
    • Authors technical papers and presents work at professional conferences

  • Senior:

    • Oversees or coordinates design, construction, maintenance, or testing of electrical systems
    • Manages, leads, or administers large multidisciplinary programs, projects, operations, budgets, or activities
    • Provides program and policy guidance on the development of national or international standards, regulations, and best practices
    • Mentors entry level engineers
    • Approves of designs and field work

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Strengths by Level

Entry 7
Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Influencing/Negotiating
    Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Learning
    Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Project Management
    Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Resilience
    Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Teaching Others
    Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

0854 - Computer Engineering 7.1%
5407 - Electric Power Controller 7.1%
2606 - Electronic Indrl Cntls Mechanic 7.1%
0855 - Electronics Engineering 7.1%

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

Explore the possibilities.