Public Utilities Specialist (Revenue)

Summary This position is located in the Customer Billing (MSBP/MSBV) organization of Customer Support Services (MS), Business Management & Development (M), Chief Operating Officer (K), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The purpose of this position is to serve as a Public Utilities Specialist and analyst responsible for providing timely and accurate customer billing services for BPA's customer contracts. Learn more about this agency Duties About the Position - Portland 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! As a Public Utilities Specialist (Revenue), you will: Assist the Senior Revenue Analysts in quality control assessments by reviewing selected customer bills for accuracy, completeness, and contract applications. Provide accurate, understandable, and timely billing services to customers. Analyze customer demand and energy data to ensure that values are in accordance with the customer's contract. Be responsible for the analysis and billing for various products and services in a timely and accurate manner. Review and interpret existing and draft customer contracts and contract amendments to assess the impact on the billing process. Participate in the development, implementation, review and revision of Customer Billing policies, procedures, standards, and internal controls. Participate on project teams responsible for billing system enhancements and/or upgrades. 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: Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Qualifications Additional Conditions of Employment: All Customer Support Services employees will comply with the Standards of Conduct independent functioning regulations by engaging only in shared support functions and will be prohibited from engaging in either transmission or power merchant functions. The shared Customer Billing employees will have access to non-public transmission and customer information stored in contract management systems and tools but will automatically restrict power merchant employee access to non-public transmission and customer information through an automated process that will include firewalls and password protection. Customer Billing employees will not serve as a conduit for non-public transmission and customer information. Since this function will provide for and support the needs of both Power and Transmission, the incumbent will need to fully understand internal risk management controls (OMB A-123) and Standards of Conduct (SOC) guidelines. The incumbent will participate in training of OMB A-123 and SOC guidelines,and adhere to the Agency's compliance with the "No-Conduit" rule. Any issues, concerns, and reports of non-compliance will be brought immediately to management's attention. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-09: 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-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience at the GS-09 level is defined as experience in:1) Providing customer service, analyzing issues, and assisting in evaluating information to identify alternative courses of action; 2) Resolving business operations problems in any of the following areas: settlement transactions, authorizing payments, customer billing, comparing documented requirements (e.g., contracts, agreements, policies, standards) to ensure contract compliance, data analysis, or rate schedules. GS-09: You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated. GS-11: 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-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience at the GS-11 level is defined as experience in: 1) Providing customer service, analyzing issues, and evaluating information to identify alternative courses of action; 2) Resolving problems related to utility operations in any of the following areas: settlement transactions, customer billing, contract management and implementation, scheduling, metering data services, or transmission/power rate schedules. GS-11: You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M., if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated. GS-12: 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-11) in the Federal service. Specialized experience at the GS-12 level is defined as experience in: 1) Providing customer service to external/internal stakeholders; 2) Analyzing business practices, rate structures, customer contracts and operating characteristics of a utility industry to plan and carry out customer billing operations; AND 3) Providing accurate, understandable, and timely billing services in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level. 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. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. 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 college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'. Additional information EEO Policy: USAJOBS 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 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 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Review our 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.