*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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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Supporting Balancing Authority Area Day After and Month End Interchange checkout activities.
Key Areas of Focus for Meter Analyst:
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Creates and maintains extensive data sets of EIM-related load, generation, and Wholesale MW Interchange data using a Megawatt hourly database
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Inputs and runs reports within the database to analyze data and create reports for internal and external parties
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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
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Monitors, tests, troubleshoot, and coordinates the repair of faulty data transmission into the Wholesale Meter Data System
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Will conduct an analytical review of raw data from the Wholesale Meter Data System in accordance with data standards
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Reconciles the data from systems to ensure accurate data is transferred into EIM hierarchal systems
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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
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Reviews and validates 5-minute, 15-minute, and hourly data and troubleshoots discrepancies as part of the initial settlement reconciliation process with invoices
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Coordinates with adjacent Intertie Entities and Transmission Network customer services for daily balancing transactional functions to meet NERC compliance requirements
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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
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Provides load and economic analyses, as needed. Supporting annual reports as required.
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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:
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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
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Provide analytical support for power traders by using both data mining and fundamental analysis techniques to support trading decisions
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Analyze and communicate information and reports to others for key decision-making
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Ensuring compliance with FERC, GAAP/FASB/GASB, Colorado Springs Utilities legal, contract terms, regulatory requirements, and other standards and policies
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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)
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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
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Comprehension of EIM daily, monthly, and yearly settlement calendar for all aspects of settlements
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Ability to manage multiple settlement tasks taking place at the same time based on each day's activity
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Complete accounting month-end and year-end closing activities as well as year-end audit requirements
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Demonstrated experience in the application and use of EIM Energy accounting systems, including:
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Power Cost Inc. (PCI)
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PI Vision
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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:
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Strong understanding of the ISO/RTO Energy Markets in the United States
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Basic knowledge of Market Protocols
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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
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A basic understanding of SQL programming language is a plus
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Ability to execute and run pre-written SQL queries for various Settlement reconciliation activities
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Know all aspects of the energy trader's (Front Office - FO) EIM tasks and operational goals to determine expected outcomes
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Strong Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and Word software skills
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Understand system requirements and communicate trade capture software functionality in support of software reliability and consistency
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Knowledge of regulations, laws, FERC tariffs, business practice manuals, and best practices applicable to the EIM market
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Understand contract details and existing contractual rights for numerous contracts
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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
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Requires strong interpersonal skills in high-pressure situations and strong organizational skills
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Ability to employ creative problem-solving techniques covering a wide variety of topics both in and out of the immediate areas of responsibility
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Strongly versed in continuous process improvement, root cause analysis, and change management
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Power BI Experience is a plus
Colorado Springs Utilities
121 S Tejon - 5th Floor
Colorado Springs
Colorado United States
www.csu.org
