Energy Markets Analyst

Position Description

Tacoma Power's Power Management section has an opportunity for a Power Energy Portfolio Analyst, Principal to join the team. Under the direction of the Manager of Market and Policy Initiatives, this position coordinates the development of centralized markets strategy for Tacoma Power based on quantitative and qualitative analyses, collaborative development and use of optimization models, and understanding of market designs, policies, and rules. If your background does not match every detail in this position description but you believe you can succeed in this role, please apply and describe the value you believe you could bring to Tacoma Power.

• Evaluates strategic opportunities for Tacoma Power in the wholesale electricity market.
• Advises decision-makers on relationships, policy positions, and opportunities.
• Leads and/or performs complex analytical work including sensitive financial, strategic, policy, or operational initiatives; identifies trends and develops recommendations; facilitates the presentation of findings to management; leads the implementation of processes based on findings and summaries.

This position will represent or help ensure representation of Tacoma Power in multiple forums. This will include engagement with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) related to Tacoma Power’s current membership in the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM), with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) related to Tacoma Power’s intended future membership in the Markets+ initiative, and the ongoing interactions to ensure efficient joint operation between Markets+ and CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). Additionally, the position will engage with the Western Power Pool’s Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) initiative to help promote the success of the program and of Tacoma Power’s participation in it. In addition, this position will maintain an understanding of Washington State legislation, existing state and local policies, and state and local rules that could impact market options and design.

• Represents the interests of Tacoma Power in regional and stakeholder processes related to assigned markets.
• Develops and maintains performance metrics; documents and reports activities in a manner that supports compliance with policies, practices, and regulations.

This position will maintain a deep knowledge of existing market rules and mechanics, as well as engaging with other internal teams to help identify market impacts on trading opportunities in the bilateral and organized markets. More specifically, this position will advise on optimizing transactions in the context of bilateral markets, Tacoma Power’s current participation in WEIM and WRAP, and Tacoma Power’s anticipated future participation in Markets+ . This position will collaborate with the Quantitative Analysis Manager, Trading, and Resource Operations on the development and implementation of new technologies and tools to understand how to better optimize the dispatch of Tacoma Power’s generating units in light of those evolving market opportunities. This position will advise and review tactics and strategies to take advantage of market opportunities, communicate strategies to the group’s business units, and evaluate trading strategy effectiveness.

• Provides training and coaching to other employees on policy and market design.
• Contributes to the advancement of multiple complex and sensitive projects by performing the following: identifying and monitoring progress toward project goals; planning project efforts; coordinating cross-functional project team task assignments; and reviewing work of collaborators.

The Power Management section is responsible for managing the operation and optimization of Tacoma Power’s resource portfolio and maximizing the value of our interactions with the wholesale energy market on a 24/7 basis. Tacoma Power expects about $40M to $100M per year from selling surplus energy into the wholesale power market. The nature and complexity of the market has changed and will continue to do so with the advent of a sub-hourly market. In spring 2022, Tacoma Power joined the WEIM, which involved both costs and benefits. Tacoma Power now must evaluate joining a centralized day-ahead market, which will have a much larger impact. Additionally, Washington State has enacted the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) - which will impact our market strategy and require due diligence to ensure Tacoma Power can meet its CCA obligations while participating in a day-ahead market. Ensuring that Tacoma Power maximizes benefits in the wholesale markets will require a regional initiative team that is responsible for understanding the pros/cons of different market designs, WRAP, CAA and other emerging initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Represent Tacoma Power in centralized markets forums - such as CAISO and SPP. Represent Tacoma Power at the Western Pool with respect to the WRAP Forward Showing or Operations workgroups.
• Develop strong working relationships with representatives from other utilities, marketers, and trade-groups.
• Develop a deep understanding of energy markets, utility operations fundamentals, and regulatory frameworks.
• Advise Operations & Trading and Transmission & Distribution on developments in these arenas, advancing these groups’ understanding potential impacts from changes in market design, regulation, or utility implementation.
• Help analyze and advise other groups on the most optimal trading opportunities given changing circumstances, especially those caused by market centralization or greater coordination of wholesale energy market participants.
• Understand, distill, and communicate information on potential future business processes to stakeholders and executive management.
• Prepare quantitative analysis from reports or queries of utility operations, financial, or other publicly available information.
• Coordinate with various groups within the utility on the acquisition of resources and transmission or on the provision of utility services to Tacoma customers. This may include making contributions the integrated resource plan, resource request for proposal, BPA comments, or non-traditional rate schedule.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to strategize on product pricing. Review and compare the actual versus expected revenues from these transactions. Refine future offerings.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in engineering, economics, business, public administration or directly related field such as energy policy

Minimum Experience*
5 years of electric utility analysis experience in power energy markets or energy technology

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Elise Drennen . If you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with them on LinkedIn.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

Apply
I nterested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/3/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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