Energy Market Supervisor - Austin Energy (QSE)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

6d•$118,900 - $152,200

About The Position

Under minimal direction, the Energy Market Supervisor oversees staff and functions associated with energy markets and operations for Austin Energy’s Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE). The role supervises QSE trading and operational activities across day-ahead, real-time, and forward markets; represents Austin Energy and the City of Austin in dealings with ERCOT and energy-industry partners; and ensures compliance with ERCOT and NERC protocols, guides, and other applicable regulations. The supervisor develops and implements policies, procedures, processes, and tools for wholesale market operations; monitors and analyzes market activity, fuel purchasing, power marketing, bids and offers, fuel-price forecasts, and trends; and works to minimize costs, maximize the value of assets and resources, and meet operational needs. The role also oversees programs and systems for generation dispatch and management, market analysis, risk management, fuel procurement, and power marketing; develops generation simulations and production-costing models; and evaluates project economics, including renewable energy and conservation projects. The position develops technical specifications and standards, reviews related plans and documents, and manages and negotiates contracts. It reviews progress reports and change orders, verifies quantities and costs, audits as-built records, and serves as a liaison among the City, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and other parties. It has full supervisory responsibilities, including employee selection, training, evaluation, and recommendations for dismissal. This is a designated Critical Employee position. Work may be performed at a designated work site or an alternate work location when possible; schedules may be modified and employees may be reassigned during extraordinary or emergency conditions to provide essential services. The stated work location is 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, Texas. Normal hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required to support 24-hour utility operations. The position requires a criminal background investigation, NERC clearance, and an ERCOT Digital Certificate security review.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and six years of related work experience.
A master’s degree may substitute for up to one year of experience; a PhD may substitute for up to two years.
Knowledge of supervisory and management techniques.
Knowledge of ERCOT and NERC operating protocols and guidelines.
Knowledge of power plant and transmission system dispatch operations and power and fuel markets.
Knowledge of energy risk management practices.
Skill in using, developing, or supporting software and equipment used to manage energy market operations.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Skill in analyzing data and using analytical software.
Ability to lead, train, and supervise subordinates.
Ability to work independently and in teams.
Ability to meet the requirements for NERC clearance and an ERCOT Digital Certificate, including the required security review.
Availability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed to support 24-hour utility operations.

Nice To Haves

NERC BI or RC Certification, or ability to obtain it within six months.
Experience tracking, approving, maintaining, and training desk processes, policies, and procedures to ensure ERCOT Protocol Compliance.
Experience with generation resource test scheduling and reporting.
Experience preparing for and participating in compliance audits.
Experience leading and training new employees.
Experience reviewing ERCOT protocols.

Responsibilities

Supervise staff and functions related to wholesale energy marketing and dispatch, energy market systems, wholesale market analysis, and energy risk management.
Supervise QSE trading and operations, including day-ahead, real-time, and forward market activities.
Supervise staff participation in proposed ERCOT market design, rulemaking changes, and development processes.
Ensure compliance with ERCOT and NERC protocols and guides and other applicable regulations.
Represent Austin Energy and the City of Austin to ERCOT, generation partners, resource owners, energy marketers, and industry counterparties.
Develop and implement policies, processes, procedures, and tools that support wholesale market operations.
Monitor wholesale market activities, including fuel purchasing and power marketing, and analyze QSE bid/offer practices, fuel-price forecasts, and market trends to minimize costs, maximize asset and resource value, and meet operational needs.
Implement and evaluate programs involving generation dispatch and management systems, wholesale energy market analysis, energy risk management, fuel procurement, and power marketing.
Develop electric-system generation simulations and production-costing models.
Evaluate the economics of projects related to renewable energy, conservation, and other areas.
Develop technical specifications and standards; review, analyze, and interpret plans, specifications, and related documents.
Manage and negotiate contracts; review progress reports; verify final quantities and costs; review change orders; and audit as-built records.
Serve as liaison among consultants, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and the City of Austin regarding energy market operations.
Perform supervisory activities, including selection, training, evaluation, and recommendations for dismissal.
Train Real Time Desk staff and ensure compliance with ERCOT protocols and NERC standards.
Support essential utility services during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions, including possible schedule changes or reassignment.