Commercial Operations Specialist - Denver, CO
About The Position
The Commercial Operations Specialist supports Xcel Energy’s Commercial Operations group in meeting customers’ real-time energy demands. The role develops knowledge and expertise through assignments in Power Operations, Gas Supply, and Energy Scheduling, building utility-industry knowledge and skills for advancement into other Commercial Operations roles. Responsibilities include assisting with physical energy purchase and sale scheduling, coordinating gas supply, transportation, and storage nominations under supervision, and learning to maintain hourly balance between energy demand and supply. In Power System Operations, the Specialist assists with dispatching generation and purchased-power resources while considering system economics and reliability, identifies potential open-market trading opportunities, and pursues NERC certification to qualify for independent dispatch. The role also develops operational knowledge across the three operating companies and broader knowledge of Xcel Energy’s core businesses. Once proficient, the Specialist provides staffing coverage as needed by independently performing duties during high workloads or staffing shortages. The position requires the ability to meet time-pressured hourly and daily deadlines. It requires 12-hour shifts with partial night and weekend work in Power Operations, and partial weekend on-call availability in Gas Supply. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model; many roles work onsite three days per week, though location expectations vary by role, team, and business needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or another field emphasizing analytical thinking; six years of experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
- Ability to handle time-pressured deadlines on an hourly and daily basis.
- Ability to work 12-hour shifts with partial night and weekend work in Power Operations.
- Ability to provide partial weekend on-call availability when working in Gas Supply.
Nice To Haves
- Working knowledge of power system operations, energy industry structure, gas scheduling, or a logistics-based industry.
- Proficiency using Excel spreadsheets.
- Intermediate writing and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office 365 applications.
- Curious self-starters who take initiative.
Responsibilities
- Assist in scheduling physical energy purchases and sales with Balancing Areas, counterparties, and energy marketers.
- Under experienced staff supervision, coordinate scheduling and nominations for gas supply, transportation, and storage volumes.
- Learn to coordinate and maintain hourly energy balance between demand and supply requirements.
- Assist with dispatching generation facilities and purchased-power resources, considering economic factors while maintaining system reliability.
- Learn to identify additional trading opportunities available through the open market to maximize economic benefit to the system.
- Pursue NERC certification to become qualified to independently dispatch.
- Develop general operational knowledge across Commercial Operations at all three operating companies and broaden knowledge of Xcel Energy’s core businesses.
- Once proficient, provide staffing coverage as needed by independently performing role responsibilities during high workloads or staffing shortages.
Benefits
- Annual Incentive Program
- Medical/Pharmacy Plan
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
- Limited-Purpose Flexible Spending Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan and HSA)
- Transportation Reimbursement Account
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Transit programs
- Employee recognition program
- Pension
- 401(k) plan
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- Volunteer Paid Time Off
- Parental Leave
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
