Energy and Market Operations Director

Job Description:

Energy and Market Operations Director

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Finance, or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of related experience, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:
None.
Notes to Applicants
The Director of Energy Market Operations is responsible for the management of the city’s Qualified Scheduling Entity ( QSE ), managing the city’s energy portfolio in the wholesale ERCOT market, trading desks, serving our load obligation and optimizing all portfolio assets, this includes all systems required to support and run market operations, execute long term planning and trading in forward markets, originate portfolio acquisitions, and continue to develop and evolve the energy market operations team through transitions occurring in the ERCOT market and energy sector overall.

This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

This position requires a criminal background investigation.

NERC
This position will require a NERC Clearance.

ERCOT
This position requires the use of an ERCOT Digital Certificate ( EDC ) and therefore will require a Security Review to determine if the candidate meets all the requirements for issuance of the EDC .
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4 days in office, 1 day telework
Job Close Date 05/15/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723 (Hybrid) Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience in wholesale market functions within ERCOT
especially in relation to trading power and experience with forward markets
2. Experience in integrated resource planning with all supply and load functions in the market
3. Experience with fuel supply contracts
4. A strong background in finance, risk management, and contract negotiations especially in relation to wind, solar and storage projects
5. Experience with Market Systems for trading, scheduling, modeling and risk management
6. Experience managing a large group
7. Experience interacting with a utility executive team
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Manages optimal performance of Austin Energy’s generation resource portfolio, including power plants, fuel and power supply agreements, and associated financial instruments. Manages and ensures accuracy of supply and load schedules submitted to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas ( ERCOT ). Directs and manages compliance with Austin Energy risk management policies and limits, ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides, Public Utility Commission of Texas ( PUCT ) Wholesale Code of Conduct, North American Electric Reliability Corporation ( NERC )/Texas Reliability Entity ( TRE ), and all other regulatory requirements. Directs, manages, and establishes energy risk management goals and strategies; identifies appropriate instruments for use in managing fuel and power supply risks; and establishes goals and strategies for energy and capacity. Develops and maintains the long-term resource plan with associated stakeholder process. Coordinates and identifies resource requirements, staffing levels, and the organizational structures for the business unit based upon the evolving ERCOT wholesale market. Directs and manages timely, efficient, and effective real-time operations and support activities in the ERCOT Nodal market. Manages annual Operations & Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan ( CIP ) budgets, including preparing short- and long-term spending plans. Represents the City of Austin and Austin Energy interests at boards, commissions, councils, and industry working groups.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge and experience of ERCOT Wholesale Electric Market.
• Knowledge of Public Utility Commission ( PUC ) Regulations governing the Texas wholesale electric market.
• Knowledge of electric utility operations including power production, power delivery, and related fuel and power market operations.
• Knowledge of Financial Risk Management Practices and Markets.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of reporting concepts, budgeting, purchasing, and preferred business practices.
• Knowledge of project management and internal control concepts and practices.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees, the public, and contractors.
• Skill in using software applications to perform data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in negotiating energy related supply and transportation agreements.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications of this position are Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Finance, or a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of related experience, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity. Graduation with a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to a maximum of two (2) years. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications referenced above. Detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable).
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your supervisory and or management experience (include number of years and number of individuals that you oversaw) including hiring, training, assigning work, counseling and evaluating employee performance.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience developing/ managing energy risk management program and strategies.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience originating and negotiating renewable purchase power agreements and/or battery energy storage system agreements.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have experience with FERC, NERC or other Energy markets operating protocols and guidelines?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience with forecast models in energy markets (load, demand)?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have experience with Energy Market Operations; ERCOT or other similar energy market protocols, operating guides, and stakeholder processes; power generation facility operations or maintenance including experience with operational testing and verification; or NERC standards and compliance assurance including any associated regional authorities such as the Texas Reliability Entity?

• I have experience with one of the above areas.
• I have experience with some of the above areas.
• I have no experience of the above areas.

* Which best describes your experience in the management and oversight of Energy Market Operations?

• Extensive
• Experience
• Familiar
• None

* This position requires the use of an ERCOT Digital Certificate (EDC) and, therefore, will require a Security Review to determine if the candidate meets all the requirements for issuance of the EDC. Do you consent to a Security Review?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents