Senior Power System Analyst

Minimum Pay Rate: $119,641.60 

Maximum Pay Rate: $158,433.60 

Apply by Date: 11/05/2024 

Posting Type: Open 

The intent of this job posting is to establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill current and future, permanent and limited-term, vacancies for up to two (2) years. You must clearly demonstrate, on your resume, that you possess the knowledge, skills and experience required in the minimum qualifications listed in this posting.

The Commodity & Operations Settlements Area at SMUD is responsible for analysis, reconciliation, and settlement of SMUD owned and contracted wholesale generation, transmission, and gas supply portfolio; to preserve SMUD’s ability to buy, sell, exchange and transport power within SMUD’s risk parameters and to meet regulatory compliance and reporting obligations. We additionally perform the contracted settlement operations for the Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC) in partnership with our fellow BANC members.

Purpose

Performs advanced technical and analytical functions in the areas of energy settlements, California ISO (CAISO) Schedule Coordinator settlements, balancing authority area functions, credit exposure, industry outcomes and rulings, and contract administration to preserve SMUD’s ability to buy, sell, exchange and transport power within SMUD’s risk parameters.

Nature and Scope

Serves as an advanced journey level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower-level personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates the department’s settlement activities; identifies discrepancies and variances; consolidates data in a consistent format; compares projections to plan; maximizes cash flow and revenue by calculating, assessing and verifying power purchases and sales invoices; reports to management actual energy transactions compared to budget; develops financial forecasts for energy transactions, related costs and operational impact; researches and resolves meter data discrepancies; assists staff with assessment and settlement of energy transactions, generations, power flows, and other associated settlement activities; assists with the implementation of new settlement systems and/or procedures.
• Supports the purchase, sale and exchange of power by performing contract administration; verifies contract compliance by calculating and assessing energy transactions; negotiates and implements resolution of contract discrepancies; utilizes energy trading applications; administers contracts including the verification and approval of power bills and revenue; assists SMUD in negotiating contract amendments including preparing analyses, proposals and other documents; evaluates the economic and financial impacts of alternative contract proposals, counter-proposals, amendments and dispute resolutions; evaluates and provides reporting on open receivables, payables and contracted future purchases and sales for both electric and gas and comparing to parameters as set by credit manager.
• Supports interaction with the CAISO by following scheduling coordinator protocols and procedures; provides technical expertise with regard to proposed or amended protocols and procedures.
• Supports Schedule Coordinator functions by evaluating CAISO charges; ensures that complex CAISO charges and payments are accurately accounted for; identifies, submits, and follows up on disputes. 
• Maintains knowledge of the ISO Tariff and Business Practice Manuals (BPMs) as amended; maintains good working relationship and communication with the CAISO; attends business and stakeholder meetings to support SMUD’s position in ISO matters.
• Provides support to management, legal, and contract departments by offering evaluation and financial interpretation of decisions, rulings and contract negotiations; represents SMUD at inter-utility meetings and industry technical conferences; provides reports to management, legal and contract departments.
• Provides support to the legal department by offering evidence, evaluation, and production of summary and detail reports for legal cases.
• Maximizes SMUD’s financial opportunities by offering management historical reports and evaluating the effectiveness of current practices; performs evaluation and provides history of past power scheduling operations; evaluates trades against established benchmarks; recommends new policies and practices; evaluates cost of transactions; outlines requirements for new or enhanced settlement hardware or softwa