Company Description

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is a federal nonprofit agency that markets wholesale electricity generated primarily from 31 federal dams and one nuclear plant, serving millions of consumers across eight states. BPA operates nearly 75% of the high-voltage transmission grid within the Northwest and invests heavily in one of the largest fish and wildlife conservation programs worldwide. Headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, BPA provides employees with work-life balance, offering both vibrant urban centers and access to outdoor recreation opportunities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The agency values veterans and promotes career opportunities for students and recent graduates through its Pathways Internship and Recent Graduate programs. Visit www.bpa.gov for more information.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.

External Application Link(s): 

26-BPA-51041-12941932-RG https://www.usajobs.gov/job/867910300

Open & Close date: Open: 05/05/2026   Close: 05/14/2026

LOCATION(s)Portland, OR

SALARY:                    $ 54,370 - $104,610 per year

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Portland, OR, for a Public Affairs Specialist with a focus on Digital Media.

As a Public Affairs Specialist (Digital Media), you will:

• Produce and edit photography and video content for BPA websites, social media platforms, and live or virtual events.
• Assist in planning and executing photography and video projects that communicate BPA news, priorities, and values.
• Actively stay updated on the latest trends in multimedia production, including advancements in photography and videography equipment, editing software, and emerging technologies like drones and advanced post-production tools.
• Participate in regular training, self-education, and relevant industry workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay informed on best practices and technological innovations.
• Serves as an internal consultant, providing technical advice to teams across BPA.
• Creates and manage a diverse range of written and digital content for BPA and its clients, ensuring all materials are aligned with BPA's mission and values.
• As a liaison, the individual ensures the integrity of BPA messaging across various platforms, offering guidance and recommendations to enhance overall communication efforts.

REQUIREMTNS: 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.

·        A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.

Pathways Recent Graduates Program Requirements:

• Recent Graduate participants will be on a trial period for the duration of the appointment.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.

Conversion: Pathways Recent Graduates are converted to a term or permanent position upon program completion. This is not automatic nor guaranteed; it is at the discretion of the employing office.

To be eligible for conversion, a Recent Graduate must: (1) complete at least one year of continuous service; (2) be a U.S. citizen; (3) demonstrate successful job performance (4) meet the qualification standards for the position to which converted; (5) receive a recommendation for conversion from the first-level supervisor; and (6) meet agency-specific requirements, as specified in the Participant Agreement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To be eligible for the Recent Graduate program you must be a:

·        Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. 

-OR

·        Student who within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. A student may not be appointed to a position until they have graduated.        

-OR

·        Preference eligible veteran who was precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

GS-07:

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-5) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) assisting with photography and video production, including capturing and editing content for various digital platforms, 2) knowledge of photography and videography equipment, and 3) drafting basic written communications for the purpose of conveying information to audiences with different levels of understanding.

At the GS-7 level you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

(See Requirements section details)

GS-09:

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-7) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) in visual communication activities such as illustration, photography, presentations, video production, and/or social media which aligned with organizational objectives, 2) assisting with photography and video production including capturing and editing content such as developing news stories, feature articles, or quasi-technical content, that engaged a range of audiences, and 3) establishing relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to produce clear, concise written materials for audiences with varying levels of understanding.

At the GS-9 level you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Master's or equivalent graduate degree --OR--

(See Requirements section details)

GS-11:

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-9) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: 1) in the production, operation, editing and proposing actionable recommendations of content for an organization's digital platform, 2) planning and developing news stories, feature articles, or photo/video projects to support an organization's strategic goals and engaged in a range of audiences, and 3) maintaining effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to produce clear, concise written materials for audiences with varying levels of understanding.

At the GS-11 level you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree --OR--

(See Requirements section details)

EDUCATION:  

If substituting education for specialized experience, you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  

Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package.

 (See Required Documents section on application).

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.