Consulting Energy Trader

Job Description

Manages short- to long-term power and core gas portfolios for PSE including real-time, day-ahead, balance-of-month, monthly positions and option structures out through the tenure of PSE’s portfolio hedging programs. Makes independent economic decisions, executes wholesale commodity natural gas and power purchases and sales transactions, and acquires or releases transmission and/or gas transportation to balance  PSE’s energy portfolios. Optimizes a diverse set of customer assets which include: commercial agreements, natural gas storage, natural gas transport, electric transmission contracts and an electric generation fleet consisting of hydro, coal, wind, and natural gas fired generation.  Assists in the development and execution of power and core gas portfolio hedging strategies, and manages wholesale commodity portfolios within the context of market fundamentals, supply dynamics, regional events, and changing retail loads.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops, recommends and oversees the execution of strategies to acquire sufficient and cost-effective supplies of wholesale energy commodities to reliably serve load and contractual commitments meeting all compliance and reliability requirements inherent to a FERC jurisdictional gas and electric utility.
• Provides operational guidance with respect to state and federal regulatory impacts to Trade Floor operations and helps coordinate compliance with all applicable FERC orders, NERC, WECC, and other applicable reliability standards, and transmission tariffs and business practices.
• Performs fundamental and technical analysis of regional power, and regional & national natural gas markets to efficiently optimize company assets and reduce company risk through the execution of hedging strategies as approved  by management.
• Recommends and implements hedge execution strategies in power and natural gas markets (physical and financial hedges as well as options and exchanges).
• Coordinates energy delivery and supply efforts with Energy Supply, Risk Management, Load Office, and Gas Control.
• Reviews and prices structured proposals offered by counter-parties.
• Independently manages PSE’s forward probabilistic power and natural gas positions consistent with approved hedging strategies and exposure limits.

• Functions as a subject matter expert and is intimately familiar with all of the details surrounding the assets and contracts in the portfolio.

• Performs complex analysis on an ad hoc basis to support management in strategic portfolio decisions.
• Drafts rate cast testimony and responds to data requests as necessary to support rate case requirements and outside stakeholder data requests.
• Leads, mentors and assists in the development of Power and Gas Supply Operations staff.
• Develops and implements Power & Gas Supply Operations policies and procedures as necessary to maintain reliable, compliant, and economic operations.
• Analyzes PSE’s commodity positions and makes recommendations on optimizing the value of PSE’s assets.
• Collaborates with long-term resource and planning groups inside PSE to review asset acquisitions.
• Works with credit and contracts departments to establish new trading partnerships and opportunities.

• Keeps abreast of current industry market trends and developments and updates management of any relevant changes.
• Provides guidance and direction with respect to the management of PSE’s short-term deterministic position. 
• Independently represents PSE in regional and national organizations and forums including technical committees, work groups, etc., on industry related initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a technical or commercial focus from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• 8 years experience in energy trading, derivatives, marketing or bulk electric and gas system management.
• Proven record of accomplishment in power and/or natural gas trading including experience with gas storage optimization, physical/financial gas trading fundamentals, physical/financial power trading dynamics including power generation characteristics of hydro, coal, wind and gas fired generation.
• Advance knowledge of financial and accounting principals and working knowledge of WSPP, ISDA, GISB and NAESB agreements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and an ability to interact at all levels of the corporation.
• Experience in west-coast energy markets, and specific knowledge of Pacific Northwest regional issues.

Desired Qualifications

• Self-starter with the ability to work effectively without direct supervision in a fast paced, multi-tasking team environment.
• Advanced spreadsheet and database computer skills.
• Strong problem solving, analytical and conflict resolution skills.

• Able to effectively present analysis in a public forum.

Additional Information