NATHANAEL (NATE) J. SEABURY
Redmond,OR
Summary
Results-driven Senior Operations Executive with over 20 years of experience in high-voltage transmission and power delivery. Led operations and maintenance for 21 substations up to 500 kV across Central Oregon and Northern California. Managed diverse teams of federal and contractor personnel to ensure reliability and compliance in service delivery.
Overview
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
District Operations and Maintenance Manager (GS-1601-14)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services (TF)
Redmond, OR
01.2019 - Current
- Directed the District Operations & Maintenance team with full authority for program execution, safety, reliability, and financial stewardship across Central Oregon and Northern California. Managed a multi-craft workforce of 30–60 federal positions and contractors across 21 major high-voltage substations, 15 microwave sites, and 7,300+ line structures.
- Executive District Administration & Program Oversight: Formulate and execute long- and short-range strategic work plans ensuring a safe power system, reliable customer service, and cost-effective asset management. Direct annual district operating budgets, resource allocation, and multi-craft technical schedules, consistently achieving performance targets within approved fiscal allocations.
- Incident Command & Grid Emergencies: Serve as Incident Commander and operational decision-maker during severe system disruptions, dual-contingency line trips, transformer/reactor failures, and wildfire threats. Coordinate restoration in real-time with Dispatch, System Protection, and interconnected utilities under high-stress conditions.
- Incident Investigations & Standards Evolution: Chaired multiple comprehensive safety incident investigations, analyzing root causes for electrical, mechanical, and operational near-misses. Synthesized findings into formal Safety Corrective Actions (SCAs) and lessons learned that directly transformed BPA engineering design standards and field work practices agency-wide.
- Partnered with project managers and regional dispatch (TOR) to execute multi-million dollar capital additions, championing LaPine Substation capacitor group and station-service additions, leveraging agile switching support and contractor oversight to energize the project two months ahead of schedule.
- Craft Committee Leadership & Evaluation Governance: Serve as Electrician Craft Committee Chairman, directing the scheduling, resource allocation, and documentation for 58 annual Evaluation of Skills (EOS) assessments. Created and institutionalized the Co-Chair structure to streamline administrative governance and enhance alignment with the BPA Technical Training Center.
- Series: 1601
- Job Code: J08157
- Supervisor: Rob Robertsen, Regional O&M Manager (GS-15) — Contact: Yes
Electrician Foreman II — Minor Maintenance District Supervisor (BS-2810-57)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services | Redmond Minor Maintenance District
Redmond, OR
01.2011 - 01.2019
- Led the Minor Maintenance District Electrician Foreman II role, exercising full administrative, supervisory, and technical authority over high-voltage substations and transmission facilities across a widespread geographic area. Directed crew execution of maintenance, construction, and diagnostic testing on equipment up to 500 kV.
- Managed comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance program across substation facilities, balancing computer-generated schedules with real-time operational demands to ensure continuous grid reliability.
- Coordinated multi-million dollar capital additions as lead field coordinator, integrating electricians with other craft trades and implementing constructability and step-plan efficiencies to minimize outage durations and optimize workforce utilization.
- Long-Range & Short-Range Planning (1–2 Years Advance): Collaborated directly with Regional Manager Adam Mikulski to formulate long-range project plans 1 to 2 years in advance. Coordinated multi-craft support (TLM, Operations, System Protection), arranged technical assistance, secured long-lead parts and specialized tooling, and forecasted funding and staffing allocations for major capital overhauls.
- Apparatus Installation, Testing & Troubleshooting: Exercised master-level technical and diagnostic expertise to install, test, troubleshoot, and overhaul critical EHV apparatus up to 500 kV, including power transformers, load tap changers (LTCs), gas/oil/vacuum Power Circuit Breakers (PCBs), station service transformers, circuit switchers, disconnect switches, and DC battery/charger banks.
- Safety Program Administration & Incident Prevention: Led crew safety meetings, enforced strict adherence to the BPA Accident Prevention Manual (APM), and maintained an unyielding focus on eliminating injury and equipment damage. Investigated all accidents and near-misses, submitted detailed incident reports, and implemented corrective job-site mitigations.
- Workforce Development & Apprenticeship Oversight: Supervised and directed the on-the-job training (OJT) for Apprentice Electricians and journeymen. Administered performance appraisals, provided daily coaching, developed team morale, and resolved personnel issues in compliance with Merit Principles and the BPA-CPTC Collective Agreement.
- Responded to emergency system outages, equipment failures, and adverse weather conditions, coordinating clearances and switching with Power Dispatchers, isolating faulted apparatus, and directing immediate repairs under severe time and environmental constraints.
- Facilitated general safety meetings as Chairman, identifying safety training gaps for new personnel and ongoing education needs across crafts.
- Supervisor: Adam Mikulski, Regional Operations and Maintenance Manager
Electrician Foreman I (BL-2810-41)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Substation Maintenance
Redmond, OR
05.2007 - 12.2010
- Substantially acted as alternate leader and second-in-command on a high-voltage substation maintenance crew under James Marino. Directed crew performance of assigned work, established field work pace, and performed the administrative duties of the Electrician Foreman III during absences, reporting directly to the Regional Manager.
- Work Leadership & Field Crew Direction: Assigned daily maintenance segments to specific crewmembers, explained job scopes, provided real-time technical direction, and monitored jobs in progress to ensure accurate, thorough documentation of existing apparatus conditions.
- Planning, Scheduling & Logistics: Formulated daily and weekly work assignments under the direction of the Foreman III, systematically matching crew manpower with specialized equipment, test instruments, vehicles, and long-lead materials.
- Set the standard for on-the-job behavior and safety adherence; counseled employees to ensure compliance with BPA rules, safety standards, and the BPA-CPTC Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Safety Enforcement & Incident Reporting: Insisted on strict compliance with the BPA Accident Prevention Manual (APM) to eliminate employee injury and equipment damage. Conducted daily job briefings, reviewed field hazards, and immediately reported all accidents and near-misses with thorough written documentation.
- Standards Review & Craft Training Contributions: Provided technical advice, editing, and operational input for multiple BPA Work Standards and Central Safety and Health Committee initiatives. Co-designed and instructed journeyman training modules covering high-voltage safety and electrical maintenance practices.
- 40 Hours/Week
- Series: 2810
- Position Standard: BL 2810 41
- Supervisor: James Marino, Electrician Foreman III — Contact: Yes
Power System Electrician (BB-2810-30)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services
East Wenatchee, WA
04.2004 - 05.2007
- Full-performance journey-level electrician under Brett Moad, responsible for the installation, assembly, modification, testing, maintenance, and emergency repair of high-voltage transmission and substation equipment across the Northwest power system without more than normal supervision.
- Major Apparatus Erection & Adjustment: Executed field assembly and installation of major substation equipment up to 500 kV, including power transformers and gas-, oil-, and air-insulated power circuit breakers (PCBs). Mounted transformer bushings, conservators, radiators, pumps, fans, and load tap changers (LTCs); performed extensive vacuum dehydration processing to remove moisture from core insulation.
- Shop Assembly & Control Panels: Fabricated, drilled, and wired control and relay panels in shop and field settings according to design blueprints and wiring diagrams. Modified energized switchboards, pulling control and fiber optic cables through yard duct and trench systems.
- Assembled interrupters and bushings, aligned mechanical operating linkages, and connected power, trip, control, and indication wiring.
- Performed scheduled inspections, mechanical adjustments, lubrication, and replacement of worn components to ensure reliable operation of substation equipment. Executed electrical diagnostic testing (Doble power factor insulation testing, winding resistance, contact resistance, breaker timing, and dielectric fluid breakdown) to confirm compliance with operational specifications.
- Substation Yard Infrastructure & Communications: Assembled steel framework, equipment racks, and bus supports; installed yard ground mats and connected equipment to ground grids. Installed radio and microwave communication apparatus, including antennas, reflectors, and emergency DC station battery/charger power supplies.
- Qualified to take clearances and perform field switching under Dispatch direction to safely de-energize and ground equipment, ensuring adherence to APM and Operating Bulletin #2.
- Evaluated field hazard controls and reviewed procedures with safety managers as Safety Proctor. Mediated craft disputes and fostered constructive labor-management relations as elected Union Shop Steward.
- Supervisor: Brett Moad, Electrician Foreman
Education
Certified 7200 Hour Power System Electrician Apprenticeship -
Bonneville Power Administration / U.S. Department of Labor
04-2004
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Electrical Maintenance
Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA06-2000
Skills
- High-voltage equipment oversight
- Power transformer operations
- Transformer maintenance
- Disconnect switch maintenance
- Static capacitor installation
- Power system testing
- Battery and charger systems
- Project coordination
- Workforce planning
- Team performance management
- Safety standards adherence
- Incident analysis
- Crew leadership
- Financial resource management
- Deadline coordination
Personal Information
Driving License: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) — Class A with all required endorsements to operate heavy utility vehicles, combination rigs, and trailers in all weather conditions.
Certification
Environmental & Occupational Health:
Asbestos Class III Certified
Lead Worker Certified
Hazardous Waste Material Handling & SPCC Certified, Safety & Electrical Qualifications:
Clearance Certificate & Electrical Worker's Permit
Substation Entry Program (SEP) Qualification Exam Proctor
SEAHAT (Safety and Environmental Hazard Assessment) On-Site Assessor
Aerial Lift & Heavy Rigging Certified
First Aid & CPR Certified
Timeline
District Operations and Maintenance Manager (GS-1601-14)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services (TF)
01.2019 - Current
Electrician Foreman II — Minor Maintenance District Supervisor (BS-2810-57)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services | Redmond Minor Maintenance District
01.2011 - 01.2019
Electrician Foreman I (BL-2810-41)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Substation Maintenance
05.2007 - 12.2010
Power System Electrician (BB-2810-30)
Bonneville Power Administration (DOE) | Transmission Field Services
04.2004 - 05.2007
Certified 7200 Hour Power System Electrician Apprenticeship -
Bonneville Power Administration / U.S. Department of Labor
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Electrical Maintenance
Spokane Community College