Summary

This position is within the Intergovernmental Affairs group (AI), Administrator (A), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), U.S. Department of Energy. Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership while directing national, regional, and tribal relations teams. As Director, you will build and maintain vital relationships with Congress, tribal nations, state leaders, and regional partners. Lead strategic outreach initiatives and represent the agency across major stakeholder network forums.

Duties

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Power the Pacific Northwest: Drive Strategic Regional & National Alliances as BPA's Intergovernmental Affairs Director

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) drives the Pacific Northwest economy by delivering clean, reliable hydroelectricity while championing environmental stewardship across the region. As our Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, you will serve at the high-profile intersection of energy leadership, public administration, and strategic diplomacy. Reporting directly to the CEO/Administrator and serving as a member of BPA's Enterprise Board and Executive Leadership Team, you will lead the core organization responsible for building alliances with key decision-makers across the region and in Washington, D.C.

We are seeking a dynamic executive leader to oversee high-impact areas of responsibility, including:

• Enterprise Strategy & Executive Advisory: Serve as the chief strategic advisor to the CEO/Administrator on high-stakes intergovernmental issues, directly influencing long-range business planning, and top-level operational decisions.
• Federal & Congressional Diplomacy: Act as the agency's primary executive liaison to the U.S. Congress, the Pacific Northwest Congressional delegation, and the U.S. Department of Energy, championing BPA's priorities on the national stage.
• Government-to-Government Tribal Relations: Lead high-level engagement and formal government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Tribal nations, fostering collaborative, enduring, and mutually respectful relationships.
• Multi-Program Organizational Leadership: Direct three specialized programs-National Relations, Regional Relations, and Tribal Affairs-providing total operational vision, executive oversight, and resource allocation across all three divisions.
• Regional Executive Partnerships: Build and sustain trusted partnerships with Northwest Governors, state legislators, public utility commissions, and regional energy councils to navigate shared policy and infrastructure objectives.
• High-Stakes Public Advocacy & Representation: Represent the agency as a key spokesperson and negotiator in high-visibility public forums, regulatory hearings, and complex multi-party consultations concerning regional natural resources and power delivery.
• Strategic Resource Management & Cultural Leadership: Manage program budgets, direct subordinate supervisors, and cultivate a results-oriented, inclusive, and highly motivated workforce focused on operational excellence.
• Coalition Building with Industry & Local Leaders: Engage with regional utility executives, local elected officials, trade associations, and public interest groups to align diverse perspectives and achieve consensus on critical energy initiatives.

Requirements

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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.
• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• This position has been designated as High Risk and requires a security clearance at the DOE "Q" level; the incumbent will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level; failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.
• This position has been identified as potentially meeting the requirements of Schedule Policy/Career. If it is determined that the position does meet the requirement, the position will be converted from the competitive service to an excepted service position. Any employee occupying the position at that time will also be converted (moved) from the competitive service to the excepted service with limited appeal rights. If you are selected and DOE designates the position as "Schedule Policy/Career" in the excepted service, you will be informed of this decision in writing and provided with additional information. This designation/determination is not appealable.

Qualifications

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-14) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience 1) managing a program focused on navigating complex legislative, intergovernmental, or regional policy matters directly involving the Northwest Power Act; 2) advising senior leadership, which may include legislators, regulators, or senior business executives, on the potential impacts of those matters; and 3) representing an organization's or officeholder's interests before external groups (e.g. government agencies, tribal entities, industry associations, etc.).

"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

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

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

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

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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.