Program Specialist (Hotline)

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-12] in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1) Independently planning, organizing, and conducting complex investigations into workplace concerns, employee misconduct, ethics violations, or allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse, including interviewing witnesses, gathering and analyzing documentary evidence, and maintaining confidential case records; and 2) Serving as a liaison or primary point of contact for external or internal oversight bodies (such as Office of Inspector General, regulatory agencies, internal audit, ethics offices, or legal counsel), coordinating referrals, analyzing complaint and trend data to draft technical investigative reports, and developing outreach or training to promote program awareness and reporting mechanisms. "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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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!

Champion Integrity and Power the Pacific Northwest: Lead BPA's Hotline & Employee Concerns Program At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to the Pacific Northwest while championing environmental stewardship and public trust. Central to achieving this vision is an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, workplace fairness, and ethical accountability.

As the Program Specialist (Hotline & Employee Concerns) within our Oversight Organization, you will serve as a vital guardian of agency integrity. In this high-visibility, high-impact role, you will lead complex investigations, partner directly with federal oversight leaders, and empower a culture of transparency across the organization.

Key Duties & Responsibilities Lead Complex, High-Stakes Investigations Independently plan, organize, and execute thorough, objective investigations into complex employee concerns-including fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and safety reprisal allegations-ensuring complete confidentiality, fairness, and strict adherence to federal standards. Serve as the Primary Federal Oversight Liaison Act as BPA's primary point of contact for Department of Energy Office of Inspector General (OIG) referrals.

Triage high-level complaints, coordinate investigation milestones, and draft executive response packages and corrective action reports for agency leadership. Conduct Strategic Triage and Risk Assessments Perform immediate, high-level risk evaluations on incoming reports to determine jurisdictional scope, legal requirements, and appropriate resolution paths (such as formal investigations, management inquiries, or specialized referrals).

Formulate Evidence-Based Investigative Strategies Develop tailored investigative plans, interview witnesses, gather and secure critical documentation, and author clear, comprehensive findings that guide executive decision-making and systemic operational improvements. Provide Trusted Guidance and Conflict Resolution Offer expert, confidential advice to employees and managers regarding their workplace rights, standards of conduct, ethics guidelines, and alternative dispute resolution options.

Drive Agency-Wide Education & Outreach Design, deliver, and evaluate engaging training sessions and educational materials across the agency to promote hotline awareness, employee rights, and a culture free from retaliation. Analyze Case Data & Elevate Program Effectiveness Track, analyze, and report on complaint trends to uncover root causes, perform periodic program self-assessments, and provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership to continuously improve operations.

Collaborate Across Key Executive & Legal Functions Build strong collaborative partnerships with Human Resources, Legal Counsel, Security, and internal management to verify that systemic corrective actions are implemented effectively across all agency operations.