Resource Planner III

Colorado Springs Utilities•Colorado Springs, CO

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Energy Resource Planning team plays a critical role in shaping the future of our energy portfolio by evaluating emerging technologies, supporting regional market participation, informing long-term investment decisions, and ensuring reliable and affordable service for our customers. As a Resource Planner III, you will help develop the analytical foundation for major strategic decisions, including generation resource acquisitions, regional market participation, resource adequacy planning, and long-term system investments. The ideal candidate is curious, analytical, and able to translate complex technical information into actionable business insights. They thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy solving challenging energy planning problems, and are motivated by helping shape the future of the electric utility industry. Success in this role requires balancing technical rigor with practical decision-making while effectively communicating recommendations to a wide range of stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Energy Systems, Mathematics, Data Analytics, Operations Research, Business, Finance, or a related field
Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in electric utility planning, power systems analysis, energy markets, integrated resource planning, utility economics, or related analytical functions
Experience applying quantitative analysis techniques to support business or operational decision-making.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of integrated resource planning practices and resource adequacy concepts
Familiarity with wholesale electricity markets and Regional Transmission Organization operations
Experience working with Southwest Power Pool (SPP) policies, tariff provisions, and stakeholder processes
Experience developing dashboards and data visualizations using Power BI
Understanding of generation technologies, battery energy storage systems, transmission planning, renewable energy resources, and utility regulatory frameworks
Experience with SQL, Python, R, or other data analytics tools

Responsibilities

Support Colorado Springs Utilities' participation in SPP planning, resource adequacy, and market development activities
Analyze SPP revision requests, tariff changes, policy proposals, and stakeholder initiatives, providing technical recommendations and evaluating operational, financial, and reliability impacts
Collaborate with engineering, operations, finance, customer programs, environmental services, regulatory affairs, and executive leadership to develop utility positions, technical comments, presentations, and stakeholder responses
Support SPP/RTO data requests, reporting requirements, model development, readiness initiatives, strategic planning updates, and workbook submissions
Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, visualizations, and performance metrics that communicate planning assumptions, resource portfolio performance, market trends, strategic risks, and key insights
Prepare presentations, reports, and technical memoranda for executive leadership, governing boards, regulatory agencies, and stakeholder groups.
Support the development and maintenance of long-range Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), including planning scenarios that assess resource needs, market conditions, technology adoption, and policy impacts
Conduct sensitivity analyses, probabilistic modeling, and risk assessments to evaluate uncertainty and inform strategic decision-making.
Maintain and enhance load forecasting, resource optimization, and planning support tools
Identify opportunities to improve planning processes through automation, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence applications
Participate in industry workgroups, technical conferences, and regional planning forums to stay current on emerging trends and best practices

Benefits

Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
Personal Leave – 3 days per year
Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually
Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP
Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness