Colorado Springs Utilities Jobs

Energy Imbalance Market Settlement - Senior Analyst/ Analyst

Job Type: Business Operations

Pay Range $76,835 to $101,000

Location Colorado Springs, CO

Date First Posted 5/16/23

Energy Imbalance Market Settlement - Senior Analyst/ Analyst

*This job is eligible for relocation assistance to aid with the costs associated with moving to the Colorado Springs area.

Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for two (2) analysts to provide support and expertise in our Planning and Finance Division (PFD). Our division has four departments: Accounting, Financial Planning and Risk, Treasury and Finance, Pricing and Rates. Both positions will reside within the Accounting Department and within the Energy Settlements group. One position will be filled at the Senior Analyst level and the second position will be filled at the Senior Analyst or Analyst level; placement will be based on the qualifications, knowledge, and demonstrated experience level of the successful candidate.

Senior Analysts in this team will work with Power Bilateral and Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) settlements which include basic EIM settlement functions, including but not limited to:

• Confirmation, calculation, billing, invoicing, and reconciliation of charges and payments for EIM settlements.

• Timely and accurate completion of work that includes producing energy bills, processing invoices, creating journal entries and general ledger reconciliation, monitoring and validating meter data, reporting, and audit support.

• Working with energy settlement software to include EIM, Market, and meter data functionality.

Additionally, the senior analyst could be engaged to support the meters associated with EIM settlements specifically, but not be limited to:

• Conducting research to aid in the interpretation of economic relationships and aid in the solution of problems specific to electric load research and data analysis associated with wholesale databases.

• Using EIM Energy Accounting Systems to verify the data quality of meter data and ensure proper conformance of data for transmission to Utilities Settlement systems.

• Supporting Balancing Authority Area Day After and Month End Interchange checkout activities.

Key Areas of Focus for Meter Analyst:

• Creates and maintains extensive data sets of EIM-related load, generation, and Wholesale MW Interchange data using a Megawatt hourly database

• Inputs and runs reports within the database to analyze data and create reports for internal and external parties

• Maintains the integrity of MW energy data by performing checkout balancing and enforcing routine control procedures for Day After, Weekly, Bi-weekly, and Month End Interchange transactions

• Monitors, tests, troubleshoot, and coordinates the repair of faulty data transmission into the Wholesale Meter Data System

• Will conduct an analytical review of raw data from the Wholesale Meter Data System in accordance with data standards

• Reconciles the data from systems to ensure accurate data is transferred into EIM hierarchal systems

• Utilize the EIM hierarchal systems to verify, properly format, and evaluate any substitution of data for the 5-minute, 15-minute, and hourly data from over 100 Intertie and generation meters

• Reviews and validates 5-minute, 15-minute, and hourly data and troubleshoots discrepancies as part of the initial settlement reconciliation process with invoices

• Coordinates with adjacent Intertie Entities and Transmission Network customer services for daily balancing transactional functions to meet NERC compliance requirements

• Dispute resolution of 5-minute, 15-minute, and hourly data discrepancies. Review from over 100 intertie and generation meters in coordination with settlement business practices and business timelines for dispute resolution

• Provides load and economic analyses, as needed. Supporting annual reports as required.

• Performs ad hoc SAS-language programming; loads and maintains new Wholesale MV90 system software releases and tracking on meter communication issues to be completed by communications technicians

Key Areas of Focus for Settlement Analyst:

• Validate and run multiple settlement statements for a given operating date to include pre settlements, forecasted loads and offers, base schedules, operational and trading coordination, tagging setup, meter submittals, dispatch instructions, shadow settlements, settlement disputes, invoicing, and month-end and year-end accounting close

• Provide analytical support for power traders by using both data mining and fundamental analysis techniques to support trading decisions

• Analyze and communicate information and reports to others for key decision-making

• Ensuring compliance with FERC, GAAP/FASB/GASB, Colorado Springs Utilities legal, contract terms, regulatory requirements, and other standards and policies

• Understand interconnected bulk power generation and transmission systems, including delivery points and paths, and physical transmission congestion risks. Ability to interpret both the language and terms and conditions of Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT)

• Must have a very good understanding of all proposed EIM Charge Codes, Determinants, and Invoicing line items defined in the EIM Market Protocols. These charge codes are complex and multifaceted

• Comprehension of EIM daily, monthly, and yearly settlement calendar for all aspects of settlements

• Ability to manage multiple settlement tasks taking place at the same time based on each day’s activity

• Complete accounting month-end and year-end closing activities as well as year-end audit requirements

• Demonstrated experience in the application and use of EIM Energy accounting systems, including:

• Power Cost Inc. (PCI)

• PI Vision

• OATI Oasis (or other tagging system)

Who you are... You will bring your bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Marketing, Finance, Management, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, or a closely related field as well as at least 3+ years of direct experience in accounting and/or settlements or relevant energy analytical or business research-oriented field. We are also interested in the following so please make sure to highlight on your application/resume:

• Strong understanding of the ISO/RTO Energy Markets in the United States

• Basic knowledge of Market Protocols

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and functional knowledge of accounting concepts including excellent analytical skills to properly assess errors & variances to reconcile data to complete settlements

• A basic understanding of SQL programming language is a plus

• Ability to execute and run pre-written SQL queries for various Settlement reconciliation activities

• Know all aspects of the energy trader’s (Front Office – FO) EIM tasks and operational goals to determine expected outcomes

• Strong Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and Word software skills

• Understand system requirements and communicate trade capture software functionality in support of software reliability and consistency

• Knowledge of regulations, laws, FERC tariffs, business practice manuals, and best practices applicable to the EIM market

• Understand contract details and existing contractual rights for numerous contracts

• Ability to recognize business-planning activities directly or indirectly concerned with load forecasting, load research, or program evaluation issues and to participate in those activities where appropriate

• Requires strong interpersonal skills in high-pressure situations and strong organizational skills

• Ability to employ creative problem-solving techniques covering a wide variety of topics both in and out of the immediate areas of responsibility

• Strongly versed in continuous process improvement, root cause analysis, and change management

• Power BI Experience is a plus

The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are: 12A, 42A, 42B, 36B, 25A, 36P1, 36P2, 36P3, 36P4, 37A1, 37A2, 37A3, 37F1, 37F2, 37F3, 37F4 6410, 6413, 6415, 6417, PN, PS 180, 1302, 3401, 3404, 3408, 9680

Our Commitment to Our Employees…

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge

• Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year

• Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave

• Paid Holidays –10 paid holidays per year

• Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather

• Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time

• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire

• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $10.00 a month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible

• Spending Account (FSA)

• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements

• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage

• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery

• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans

• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more

• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones

• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage are available

• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement

• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramCurious about joining our team? Learn more at https://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/jobs/

ATTENTION :

• All positions will be posted for a minimum of 5 calendar days.

• Starting pay will be determined within the posted pay range based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate; if there is a single pay rate posted, the job starts at that rate.

• Colorado Springs Utilities does not sponsor work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B, or TN visas). Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Our differences make us richer. Learning and growing from one another makes us more than what we were. We want our workforce to be as diverse as our business and recognize the limitless benefits of this commitment. Our desire is to have the organization reflect the diversity of the Pikes Peak Region. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, it is our commitment that no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, religious convictions, veteran status, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Affirmative Action is Colorado Springs Utilities’ effort to ensure positive steps are taken to have a representative workforce reflective of the relevant available labor force.

For more information regarding applicant rights, visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

Accessibility Accommodations . If you are an individual with a disability or disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting us at accessibility@csu.org or by calling 719-668-7500. This option is reserved for individuals who are unable to use or require assistance with the online tools as the result of a disability and is not intended for other purposes.

E-Verify and Right to Work Notice . Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Colorado Springs Utilities participates in E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit: http://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/applicants-rights-and-responsibilities/ . If you have a legal right to work in the United States, there are laws to protect you against discrimination in the workplace. You should know that no employer can deny you a job or fire you because of your national origin. Unless mandated by law or government contract, employers cannot require you to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident or refuse any legally acceptable documents. If any of these things have happened to you, you may have a valid charge of discrimination that can be filed with the OSC. Contact the OSC for assistance in your own language. Call 1-800-255-7688. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-237-2515. In the Washington, D.C., area, please call 202-616-5594, TDD 202-616-5525 Or write to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel NYA 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20530.

Have a question? If you have a question about a position or need assistance from a recruiter, email us at csurecruiting@csu.org or call 719-668-7500.

Job Type: Business Operations