Senior Wind Resource Analyst

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy is looking for a Senior Wind Resource Analyst to join our team!

The Senior Wind Resource Analyst works directly with PSE’s Generation team to support facilities that produce and store energy through a variety of sources including, but not limited to, wind, hydro, solar, thermal, natural gas storage, and battery technology. This role is responsible for analyzing performance data, developing tracking functions, generating financial forecasts, and communicating timely results to Energy Resource staff including managers, directors and officers. This role is responsible for maintaining current processes and assesses the needs for new technology. Additionally, this role prepares periodic update reports, graphs, and presentations to support financial, budgetary, compliance, and/or resource leveling efforts. The Senior Wind Resource Analyst is responsible for maintenance planning/tracking systems for respective responsibility area, conducting financial, statistical, engineering, and/or economic studies related to the planning function and information needs of the department, and working with cross-functional project teams to prepare submittals for company and regulatory requirements.

This position will be based out of Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg, Washington. This role will support our wind facilities in Ellensburg, Montana and other PSE generation sites as needed.  Initially, this role will be 100% on-site and in-person.  A hybrid work arrangement is available after training has concluded and at the discretion of leadership.  Occasional travel to other facilities, both in Washington and Montana, will be required.

The person in this role is responsible for upholding the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE's operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities, as well as for promoting and supporting a culture of total safety.

Additionally, this individual demonstrates a commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. They also ensure duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Leads the ERG team in developing and maintaining financial planning models. Calculates and analyzes plant performance data, prepares budgets, and generates financial forecasts.
• Works with managers, engineers, resource scientists, directors, plant co-owners, and other department leads to ensure corporate/plant goals, targets, and results are understood.
• Develops, analyzes, forecasts, and tracks capital and O&M budget performance for the ERG. 
• Implements and manages maintenance planning/tracking systems (e.g., vendor contracts/hydro license agreements) for plant facilities and compliance programs (NERC/FERC) including reports, monthly backups, data verification, and software/hardware support.
• Provides support for new contract development and the review and renewal of existing contracts as it relates to plant operations.
• Provides support in operationalizing new PSE owned projects.
• Coordinates and creates baseline accounting treatment for PSE owned facilities.
• Depending on discipline (hydro, renewable, natural gas storage, thermal, or joint): 
  • Coordinates and schedules daily and long-term preventative and corrective maintenance work for crews, creates work packages, and streamlines inventory management systems.
  • Creates and maintains inspection worksheets and reports, project planning worksheets, controls turbines, submits Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), and updates wind/generation forecasting tools.
• Provides status updates regarding ERG projects and communicates impacts of changes.
• Prepares schedules, periodic update reports (generation/performance), and graphs for resource leveling and cost analyses. 
• Calculates, develops, and manages hydro licensing requirements including liability account escalation and funding, payments to the US Forest Service, FERC, and various parties to the hydro licensing agreements.
• Calculates, develops, and manages renewable generation lease and contract payments including escalation, and funding requests.
• Analyzes, develops, and submits updated basic finish dates for capital projects throughout the year including variance explanations on timing and cost changes.
• Reviews and tracks invoices for proper accounting and submits monthly accruals.
• Analyzes, creates, and submits capital and deferral work order requests to Property Accounting and General Accounting, as needed.
• Analyzes, develops, and submits unitization lists after capital projects are put in to service (SVCC).
• Analyzes, creates, and submits capital and O&M journal entries to Property Accounting and General Accounting, as needed.
• Provides and develops ad-hoc performance and variance analyses as needed.
• Recommends changes to existing methods as appropriate to meet department and/or company requirements.
• Leads the support for other departmental and administrative activities, initiatives, and projects. 
• Coordinates and assists in completing data requests as part of rate case testimony.
• Leads process improvement efforts and budget training for the ERG.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) years of plant O&M experience. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Extensive working knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and presentation applications.
• Proven practical experience in the financial analysis and/or plant operations and maintenance field.
• Experience using SAP and/or project scheduling software.
• Experience with financial models, applied decision-modeling techniques, trend analysis and various analytical projects.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with energy industry and its regulatory aspects and understanding of FERC accounting.
• Proven experience in budget tracking and forecasting in the utility sector.
• Master’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or Economics.
• Knowledge of electric or natural gas generation assets.

Additional Information