The careers that plan, build, protect, and explain the grid.

Somebody has to buy the transformers, survey the right of way, secure the network, negotiate the power contracts, and explain all of it to the public. Most of WAPA’s office jobs are General Schedule federal positions, with a career ladder built in and relocation help for some of them.

Woman working at her desk in an office career.

Where you might fit

Grouped six ways so you can find yours. Each group holds a dozen or more job titles. The plain-language name first, then the title USAJOBS uses.

Nothing open in your area today? That is normal here. Search the USAJOBS title from the list below, save the search, and turn on email alerts. You will hear the day one opens.

Engineering and design

Design substations and lines, plan the system ten years out, and keep 17,000 miles of it running. Field work and office work in the same career.

USAJOBS titles: Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, General Engineer, Engineering Technician, Land Surveyor

IT and cybersecurity

The grid is critical infrastructure and the networks that run it are a target. Cyber, network, and systems roles, some requiring a clearance.

USAJOBS titles: IT Specialist (INFOSEC), IT Specialist (SYSADMIN), IT Specialist (NETWORK), IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Business and contracting

Every transformer, helicopter hour, and construction contract goes through procurement. WAPA pays for your FAC-C certification within two years of hire.

USAJOBS titles: Contract Specialist, Purchasing Agent, Accountant, Financial Analyst, Program Analyst, Management Analyst

Land and environment

Transmission lines cross ranches, tribal land, and public land. Biologists, archeologists, and realty specialists get the line built without breaking the law or the relationship.

USAJOBS titles: Realty Specialist, Natural Resources Specialist, General Biologist, Archeologist, Geographer (GIS)

People and communications

HR, safety, public affairs, and administrative support. The jobs that make the other 1,500 possible.

USAJOBS titles: Human Resources Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Secretary, Emergency Management Specialist

Power marketing and customer service

WAPA sells federal hydropower to rural co-ops, cities, and tribes. Somebody sets the rates, writes the contracts, and sends the bills..

USAJOBS titles: Public Utilities Specialist, Energy Management and Marketing Specialist

Jobs you did not expect

Helicopter pilot. Tribal affairs liaison. Reliability compliance specialist. Inventory manager for a warehouse full of spare transformers. If it takes a skill to run a utility across 15 states, there is probably a federal job title for it.

We pay for your credentials

Contracting certification within 24 months. Access to 3,500 online courses. Tuition assistance and student loan repayment for some positions. A yearly development plan you build with your supervisor.

Pay and benefits

Starting out

Most office jobs are posted as career ladders, so a GS-7 or GS-9 hire moves up on a schedule without reapplying. Pathways internships convert to permanent jobs at graduation.

Students and recent graduates

Questions about a job or the application process?

Email pmasscrecruit@wapa.gov.
A real person in Human Resources reads it.

Last modified on October 22nd, 2026