Program Specialist (Hotline).

About the role

This position is located in Portland, OR, a city known for its abundant trees and greenery, bike‑friendly streets, train system that connects the airport to the city, the historic International Rose Garden, lively festivals, music, food, and the Portland Trail Blazers just a short walk from the headquarters. Portland offers an eco‑friendly environment with constant new experiences. At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to the Pacific Northwest while championing environmental stewardship and public trust. As the Program Specialist (Hotline & Employee Concerns) within the Oversight Organization, you will guard agency integrity by leading investigations, liaising with federal oversight leaders, and fostering a culture of transparency.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan, organize, and execute thorough, objective investigations into complex employee concerns—including fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and safety reprisal allegations—ensuring confidentiality, fairness, and strict adherence to federal standards.
• 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.
• Perform immediate, high‑level risk evaluations on incoming reports to determine jurisdictional scope, legal requirements, and appropriate resolution paths (formal investigations, management inquiries, or specialized referrals).
• 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 expert, confidential advice to employees and managers regarding workplace rights, standards of conduct, ethics guidelines, and alternative dispute resolution options.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate engaging training sessions and educational materials agency‑wide to promote hotline awareness, employee rights, and a retaliation‑free culture.
• Track, analyze, and report on complaint trends to uncover root causes, conduct periodic program self‑assessments, and provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership to continuously improve operations.
• Build strong collaborative partnerships with Human Resources, Legal Counsel, Security, and internal management to ensure systemic corrective actions are implemented effectively across all agency operations.

Requirements

• Must be a United States Citizen.
• Employer participates in the e‑Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• Required to report in person to the official duty location.

Qualifications

Specialized experience requirement: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

• Independently planning, organizing, and conducting complex investigations into employee concerns, allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct, including interviewing witnesses, gathering documentary evidence, and maintaining confidential case files.
• Serving as a liaison or point of contact for Office of Inspector General (OIG) referrals, analyzing complaint data to draft technical reports, and developing training to promote program awareness and reporting options.
• Volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) or other community‑based philanthropic and social organizations qualifies and will be credited.
• Current Federal employees must meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• No specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to make your federal career rewarding.

BPA’s Be Well program supports five key areas of life—career, community, financial, physical, and social—helping employees adopt healthier lifestyles and improve work/life balance.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment and offers programs and policies that create flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home, and family.