Real Time Energy Market Operator

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Under general supervision, perform monitoring, analysis, and respond to meet market operations

Job Description:

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.

• Perform Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) functions including operation of computerized energy market systems, network analysis, generation dispatch, capacity optimization, and resource bidding.
  
• Analyze data to discover patterns &/or discrepancies by reviewing current loads, daily load forecast, ERCOT systems, and generation abilities for meeting energy demands.
  
• Monitor weather conditions for dispatch impacts in energy consumptions and monitor and respond to market conditions and dispatch schedules
  
• Coordinate with ERCOT and power plant operators to meet market demands by determining generation requirements or load forecasts.
  
• Conduct short term purchases and sales of energy, capacity and ancillary services to meet the current loads and daily load forecasts.
  
• Support fuel purchases and scheduling by supplying appropriate energy for current demands.
  
• Responsible for following all ERCOT and NERC operating protocols and guidelines to ensure compliance under applicable regulatory bodies.
  
• Communicates and records critical market operations information
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None

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 of power plant or transmission system dispatch operations
  
• Knowledge of ERCOT and / or NERC operating protocols and guidelines
  
• Knowledge of EECP and Black Start processes
  
• Knowledge of power trading, power markets and dispatch economics
  
• Knowledge of renewable generation characteristics and dispatch economics
  
• Knowledge of electric generation fuel markets Skill in using computer systems
  
• Skill in the use of software and equipment required to dispatch generation facilities
  
• Skill in anticipating forecast deviations for operating plan and portfolio adjustments
  
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
  
• Skill in maintaining records
  
• Skill in analyzing data
  
• Ability to work independently and in teams
  
• Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts
  
• Ability to obtain applicable ERCOT or NERC certifications
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years relevant experience.
  
• Associates Degree plus one (1) year of relevant experience
  
• Bachelors Degree in any field
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with power plant operations on the control board.
  
• Experience with transmission system controller operations.
  
• Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.
  
• Knowledge of ERCOT Market and how it relates to Austin Energy resources.
  
• Knowledge of general power plant operations.
  
• Knowledge of general transmission system operations.
  
• Graduation from Navy Nuclear Propulsion program or other military technical training
  

Notes to Candidate:

This Real Time Energy Market Operator runs Austin Energy’s Real Time Desk (RTD) and is responsible for scheduling its power generation portfolio and economically dispatching those resources according to schedule and ERCOT instructions. The RTD communicates with ERCOT and generation personnel and is responsible for operating the generation portfolio in accordance with ERCOT and NERC guidelines. Other duties include maintaining logs for compliance and operational purposes, performing day ahead market duties and making adjustments to forecasts and schedules to meet energy needs for our customers. The ideal candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as the ability to work independently and respond quickly and proactively to changing demands and conditions at the Real Time desk and in the nodal market.

12-hour rotating shifts (days and nights) including weekends and holidays.

This is position is categorized as essential personnel with the City of Austin.

Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and in some cases when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin. Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.

Work Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723

Pay Range: Commensurate with experience based on current City of Austin approved pay scale.

Days/Hours: 12-hour rotating shifts (days and nights) including weekends and holidays.

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. 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.

NERC

This position will require yearly 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.

Important Note to Applicants:

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable

in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

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.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-10-22

• 

• City of Austin

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