Summary

This position is part of the IBWC, US Section. The incumbent will be responsible for performing electronic and maintenance services at the Amistad Power Plant, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Division, Operations Department. The field office's primary mission is to operate and maintain water conveyance and flood control structures as part of the USIBWC's core mission of meeting numerous treaty and domestic trans-boundary management obligations. Announcement closing date extended to 08/13/2026.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Duties

Install, maintain, and repair telemetry systems and recording and metering devices.
Support safe operation of hydroelectric units, performing startup/shutdown, synchronization, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), clearances, and routine/emergency switching at system voltages.
Install, test, and maintain protective relays, control circuits, excitation systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) interfaces, and interpret drawings and logic diagrams.
Maintain motors, Motor Control Centers (MCCs), battery systems, grounding grids, lighting circuits, HVAC electrical systems, and perform preventive maintenance on auxiliary systems.
Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 70E/dam safety rules; perform arc-flash assessments, hazard analyses, emergency response, and complete accurate documentation and reports.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

US Citizenship is required.
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
Direct Deposit of pay is required.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
Pre-employment medical and periodic medical examination
Pre-employment drug test and pass periodic testing thereafter
Valid class A, B, C, or D driver's License
May be required to enter Mexico
May require respirator fit test

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook Federal Wage System Qualifications.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below:

1. Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT) (OPM Job Element 1)
2. Knowledge of Electrical Equipment (OPM Job Element 2B)
3. Theory of Instruments (electrical, electronic) used in Shop and Trade Practices (OPM Job Element 25-D)
4. Ability to Use and Maintain Hand tools (OPM Job Element 81-B)
5. Troubleshooting (Electrical) (OPM Job Element 96A)
6. Ability to Use Electrical Drawings (OPM Job Element 75J)

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job related factors.

Minimum qualifications for trades and labor positions are determined by evaluation of job elements. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements in order to be considered qualified for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Physical Efforts and Working Conditions:
Work requires heavy physical exertion. The work involves unassisted lifting and carrying of items weighing over forty-five pounds or up to fifty pounds (i.e., tools and equipment components); pulling and pushing of two- and four-wheel carts loaded with tools and equipment weighing up to two hundred pounds; prolonged standing; recurring climbing flights of stairs; and climbing and working on ladders and scaffolding up to 254 feet. Duties also involve operating a pick-up truck, one-ton truck, and a 24,000-pound GVW bucket truck.

The position requires sufficient hearing acuity to discern equipment noises and normal visual acuity to read diagrams, technical documents, and manuals. Work is performed in physically tight spaces requiring prolonged kneeling and squatting; below ground in dam corridors to depths of up to 263 feet; on high structures including cranes on the dam up to 254 feet; and above water at the dam intake and the powerhouse transformer deck.
Works indoors and outdoors in all types of weather conditions and temperature extremes. Exposed to high and constant noise levels from diesel generators, sandblasting equipment, hydroelectric turbines, and generators.

Exposed to heat, extensive dust from sandblasting, contaminated air from diesel exhaust and welding fumes, and dangerous chemicals such as alcohol, battery acid, and cleaning solvents.

Subject to electrical burns and shock from generating and electrical distribution equipment; and to falls from slippery, wet, and uneven walking surfaces at the dam penstocks and valves. Exposed to eye hazards from dust, welding, and grinding particles; and to injury from machinery with dangerous moving parts including drills, saws, various machine shop equipment, and machinery in motion very close to the incumbent such as motor shafts, pumps, and compressors.

Requires the use of protective devices such as ear plugs, safety hats, non-conductive gloves and footwear, and similar protective gear. The occasional use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or face-fitted respirator may be required following a medical examination to determine any limitations.

Work may occur below ground in dam corridors to depths of fifty feet, on high structures including cranes on the dam (up to 254 feet), and above water at the dam intake and the powerhouse transformer deck.

Education

The position does not allow substituting education for experience.

Additional information

Telework Suitability:
USIBWC has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework, use agency guidance during an emergency or natural disaster.

Stipulations of Employment:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

Your performance and conduct;
The needs and interests of the agency;
Whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment may be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This position requires operation of a government vehicle, therefore, proof of possession of a valid state driver's license is required.

This position is subject to a negative drug test prior to entrance on duty, and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

If selected, you will be required to obtain, prior to entrance on duty, a physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position.

Work Schedule:
May be called during emergencies (e.g., flooding or plant issues) and must work extended and/or rotating shifts as needed.

Miscellaneous:
This position is covered by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3060.

IBWC uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement #IBWC-26-MP-13014166ND using Merit Promotion procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet merit promotion requirements and can apply to that announcement. NOTE: You must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered under both.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For Category Rating: Once the application process is complete, qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The categories for this announcement are defined as: Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified, and Qualified. Your resume and supporting documentation will then be used to determine if you are qualified for this job. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
Ability to Use and Maintain Hand Tools (Electrical Work)
Ability to Use Electrical Drawings
Knowledge of Electrical Equipment
Theory and Instruments (Electrical, Electronic) Used in Shop and Trade Practices
Troubleshooting (Electrical)

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligible within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume listing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment mm/yy and duties performed. If multiple resumes are submitted, only the most current resume will be reviewed for qualifications.

Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

2. Other supporting documents:

Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible
Valid class A, B, C, or D driver's License
Cover Letter, optional

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If applicable, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a non preference determination. For more information on veterans' preference (see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/).

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices. Note: A PDF Portfolio contains multiple files assembled into an integrated PDF unit. The files in a PDF Portfolio can be in a wide range of file types created in different applications. To ensure the document is not a PDF Portfolio document, open the document and if there are multiple different documents with a variety of extensions, it is a PDF Portfolio document and will not be processed.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section of this vacancy.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
You may preview the Assessment Questionnaire at: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13014165

If you have questions about this job, please contact the HR Office representative listed in the "Agency Contact Info" section of this vacancy announcement. Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Mountain Time, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, you may request an alternate application method from the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement.

Agency contact information

Aylison Rose-Lab

Aylison_Rose-Lab@ibc.doi.gov

Address

International Boundary and Water Commission, US Section
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US

Next steps

For status updates on your application, please follow the directions listed above in the How to Apply section. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. If you are selected for an interview for this position, you will be contacted directly. A final job offer for this position is typically made within several weeks after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. After confirming a job offer, all other applicants will be notified of their non-selection.

Overview

Accepting applications

Location

Del Rio, TX

1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

Remote job

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Salary

$30.79 - $35.93 per hour

Pay scale & grade

WG 10

Promotion potential

None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time - May be subject to rotating shifts during flood operations and subject to on-call or stand-by status.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

2810 High Voltage Electrician

Supervisory status

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

Yes

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

IBWC-26-DE-13014165MC

Control number

877783800

US International Boundary and Water Commission: United States and Mexico jobs

High Voltage Electrician

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