Title:  Power System Analyst, Journey (Open until filled)

Purpose

Performs technical and analytical functions in the areas of energy settlements, CAISO settlements, control area functions, contract administration and record management to preserve SMUD’s ability to buy, sell, exchange and transport power within SMUD’s risk parameters.

Nature and Scope

This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "E" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level "J" upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the department’s overall directive by evaluating energy transactions and billing activities; calculates, analyzes and verifies proper compliance of complex contract provisions of power purchase invoices including calculating, verifying and analyzing the transactions for mathematical accuracy and auditing the data for operational compliance with contract provisions, operational malfunctions, theoretical oversights and rules and protocols of WECC, CAISO and NERC.
• Evaluates power plant generation and station usage, real and reactive power flows, transaction losses, and deviation and power exchange accounts; initiates, develops and processes accurate and timely bills in accordance with contract provisions; conducts after the fact analysis of energy, transmission, capacity and ancillary services; maintains historical records of energy transactions, billings and generations/inter-tie meter data; maintains associated applications.
• Supports the purchase, sale and exchange of power by performing contract administration; implements new and existing contracts including coordinating with internal and external departments and utilities; verifies contract compliance by calculating and analyzing energy transactions; coordinates and resolves billing and energy transaction discrepancies with other utilities and SMUD departments by negotiating and implementation mutually acceptable resolutions; utilizes energy trading applications; administers contracts including the verification and approval of power bills and revenue; assists SMUD in interpreting and 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; provides operational guidelines for contract administration; designs, develops and establishes complex computer programs and spreadsheets for contract tracking.
• Supports the operation of the COTP line by ensuring that all COTP participants are scheduling within contractual limitations; ensures curtailments are handled correctly; performs meter validation, research and correction; reconciles meter data with COTP schedules; performs RMS reporting and sanction allocation.
• Maximizes SMUD’s financial opportunities by offering system and reporting administration for management, other departments, utilities and government agencies including but not limited to WECC, DOE, CAISO,NERC, FERC, CARB, CFTC and CEC; analyzes history of past power scheduling operations; evaluates trades against established benchmarks; evaluates cost of transactions; designs, develops, implements and maintains procedures, reports and computer programs for obtaining, verifying, analyzing and editing monthly meter data; outlines requirements for new or enhanced energy accounting hardware or software.
• Ensures the integrity of the revenue meter data and associated production reports by effectively translating, verifying and analyzing the monthly meter data; researches and resolves meter data discrepancies; maintains associated database and spreadsheet applications.
• Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedules as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, economics, accounting, statistics or a related field or equivalent experience. If no degree, seven (7) years of experience is required. 

Required Experience Qualifications

• Three (3+) or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in energy settlements, wholesale power markets, and/or contract administration, for a large public utility.

Knowledge Of

Electrical theory and terminology; power generation and transmission theory and principles; inter-utility settlement practices; electrical metering methods, terminology and translation practices; energy settlement principles; energy transaction accounting principles; complex computer software applications; network systems such as an energy management system, meter data acquisition system and local area network; familiarity with ISO tariffs, rules, regulations and protocol; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and practices for negotiating; concepts for cost control and project scheduling; principles and practices for contract management; characteristics and operational needs of various organizational units; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Perform energy settlement activities; negotiate and resolve contractual problems and billing disputes; evaluate energy exchange transactions and negotiate settlements of interchange agreements; interpret SMUD policies, procedures, and/or other special agreements; schedule and prioritize own work assignments to meet expected timeframes; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.