Job Description:

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities


• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance


• Relocation assistance


• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.


• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Market Monitor is responsible for performing analysis of the energy and transmission services markets in support of monitoring for and prevention of market power abuse and market manipulation. The Monitor is also responsible for evaluating market rules and market performance to ensure markets are efficient and effective. Interaction with real-time operations requires rotating on-call responsibilities with other Monitors within the department. The multi-disciplinary structure of the group requires effective teamwork to achieve desired results. The position also interacts with SPP internal departments, regulatory staff and market participants while maintaining independence.    

Market Monitors are expected to manage and prioritize individual work effort and support team efforts in the development of metrics, analysis, reports and responses to inquiries with varying levels of supervision, and initiate new and unique analysis and reports depending on the experience of the monitor.

The position will share responsibility, within the Market Monitoring Unit, for the market monitoring functions and obligations related to the markets monitored by the SPP Market Monitoring Unit.  This will require supporting committees and working groups for both markets, interfacing with external members.

Essential Functions  

• Analyze and review market data, monitoring for indications of market power abuse, market manipulation, and gaming through the creation, development, and support of ad hoc analysis and routine reports


• Analyze and review market data and operational decisions for indications of market design concerns


• Analyze and review market data and operational decisions for compliance with market rules


• Document investigations and studies in written reports


• Coordinate and communicate with SPP market participants, member companies, and the FERC about market issues while maintaining independence


• Constructively engage SPP RTO staff in development of reports and procedures to identify and prevent problems and concerns while maintaining independence


• Design, develop, and implement new metrics and reports


• Monitor data and reports as part of the Market Monitoring on-call rotation


• Provide technical support to a supervisor or manager


• Participate in discussions and give presentations representing the position of the MMU at SPP committees and working groups while maintaining independence


• Participate in the development of comments representing the opinion of the MMU for revision requests and FERC filings


• Adhere to and enforce all SPP policies and procedures


• Maintain flexibility and ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities


• Practice good organizational skills


• Promote training and development activities for other staff members


• Independently initiate projects, analysis, new reports

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work duties and responsibilities. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences, or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload. 

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, math, computer science, information technology, engineering or other related field

Experience Requirements:

• Market Monitor II - Three (3) years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, RTO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, data science, information technology, or a directly related field; or an advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience.


• Market Monitor Senior - Five (5) Years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, RTO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, data science, or a directly related field; or an advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience.


• Market Monitor Senior II - Eight (8) Years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, RTO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, data science, or a directly related field; or an advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience.

Required:

• Proficient at organizing and conducting technical and analytical studies


• Knowledge of electric market concepts and ability to apply understanding in unique analysis


• Basic understanding of microeconomics, including the theory of competitive markets


• Strong interpersonal, team-building, and organizational skills


• Ability to support diverse team members and manage parts of complex analysis projects


• Good written and verbal communication skills


• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures


• Flexibility and aptitude to function with constantly changing conditions and priorities


• Experience performing analysis using SAS, SQL queries, or another database analytical tool or experience programming in any comparable data-oriented environment

Senior and Senior II Level Requirements:

• Ability to recognize and address strategic issues important to Market Monitoring


• Proficient at organizing and conducting complex technical and analytical studies


• Skilled at analyzing complex issues and communicating results to diverse stakeholders

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in economics, math, data science, or other related field


• Experience in one or more of the following areas: statistical analysis, industrial organization, utility operations, RTO operations, energy trading, or econometrics


• Experience with data manipulation, data visualization tools, and analysis of large data sets

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

 The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.


• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.


• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.


• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal travel (0-10%).

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications and if after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email.

Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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