Fitch Ratings

Associate Director

Fitch Ratings is seeking an Associate Director for our Global Power group based in either its New York City or Chicago offices. This position will have direct responsibility for rating a portfolio of ten to fifteen companies and will assist senior analysts in issuer and industry research. Primary responsibilities include: analysis of company quantitative and qualitative factors; preparation and presentation of issuer analytical reports to credit committees; research report preparation and publication; conduct issuer meetings, and communicate ratings and ratings rationale to investors and other capital market participants. The position has high visibility and growth potential and requires strong oral and written communication skills.

The ideal candidate will work well in a team environment and possess a minimum of three to five years direct experience in issuer and industry analysis of utilities or power and gas companies. Must be highly motivated and have a strong academic background, preferably with a concentration in Finance/Economics. Occasional travel required.

To apply, please visit, www.fitchratings.com/careers/job id:1396.

100729

Systematic Traders – Commodities, Fixed Income, Rates, Currencies

The client, an emerging multi-strategy fund managed by pedigreed traders and market participants, is seeking systematic traders with strategies that are profitable, consistent and scalable. Traders of commodities, indices, rates, currencies will be considered. The client is seeking traders they can fund to generate profit of at least $1 million the first year. Hiring process involves intense analysis of trading data. No base; negotiated, competitive payout. Location: Anywhere.

Oil & Gas Project Finance Director (New York/Houston)

The client, a large international bank, is expanding oil and gas project finance in North America. The bank is seeking an experienced originator/structurer at the Director level to expand oil and gas lending related to project finance with particular expertise in reserve-based lending. Preferred candidates will have a pedigreed deal list, strong academic backgrounds, possibly including engineering related to hydrocarbon refining, 10+ years experience in oil and gas project finance and credit and direct involvement in reserve-based lending. Candidates must be able to work autonomously while keeping global management informed on all elements of progress and ensuring oversight.

Confidential contact:

George H. Stein, CFA, Managing Director, Commodity Talent LLC
ghstein@commoditytalent.com
+1 917 545-9850
Skype: georgehstein
Twitter: georgehstein

See www.CommodityTalent.com for background and additional postings.

100729

Energy Market Surveillance Lead

Headquartered in Houston with regional offices throughout the United States and Canada, Shell Energy North America (SENA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) and operates as an integral part of Shell’s global trading network.

A leader in North American gas and power marketing, Shell Energy North America and its subsidiaries trade and market natural gas, wholesale power and risk management products with counterparties and customers throughout the region. As a part of Shell, it leverages Shell’s resources, global reach, employee expertise and financial strength to offer integrated, comprehensive energy solutions tailored to meet the needs of its wide variety of customers, including large commercial and industrial users, local gas distribution companies, electric utilities, independent power producers, retail energy aggregators, and oil and gas companies.

• Bachelor's Degree in business or related field
• Minimum ten years of progressive experience in energy commodity trading, market risk management, deal structuring and settlements
• Solid understanding of energy commodity trading, market abuse and excessive speculation rules and regulations of the FSA, CFTC, FERC, FTC, SEC and the DOJ
• Deep knowledge of Market Abuse and Surveillance activities on exchanges and trading platforms in North America including activities on the CME Group exchanges and ICE Global OTC
• Knowledge of normal trading behavioral patterns in energy commodity markets plus the ability to identify changes, anomalies and outliers
• Experience with very large data sets, advanced database querying, data mining, exploratory analytics, operational alert engines, case management and building decision support tools to help deter, detect and report on Market Abuse
• Must have legal authorization to work in the U.S. on a full time basis for anyone other current employer
• Execute proactive surveillance and monitoring to deter and detect for Market Abuse including:
  • Market Event Monitoring,
  • Trade Surveillance,
  • Electronic Communication Monitoring
• Conduct trade analysis, research and reviews events that may indicate market abuse with limited assistance from management following established processes and procedures
• Track Market Surveillance events in the team's event/case management tool. Documents events,analysis steps,work papers, escalations, findings and resolutions to demonstrate a proactive Global Market Surveillance Program within Shell Trading
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate and logically written event/case reports for the Market Surveillance Team that follows the team's standard style and form conventions
• Build and maintain internal and external relationships with stakeholder that interact with the Market Surveillance Team
• Participate in the definition of business requirements and the implementation of Market Surveillance solutions via Global Trading Compliance projects
• Work with the Compliance Officer in North America on Market Abuse concerns specific to the region

Apply online.

100729.

As an independent system operator, the AESO leads the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of Alberta’s interconnected power system. The AESO also facilitates Alberta’s fair, efficient and openly competitive wholesale electricity market, which in 2009 had about 200 participants and approximately $5 billion in annual energy transactions.

ENGINEER - FORECASTING

Position Summary:
The Forecasting Engineer must have the ability to work independently and be accountable for timely results. The position requires application of mature engineering knowledge in loss factor theory, overall system operations, understanding of the tariff, and accountability to coordinate difficult assignments. Assigned problems may make it necessary to design unique solutions to changing processes, devise new business practices, document and authenticate existing practices, apply existing criteria in new manners, and draw conclusions from comparative situations.

Specifically, the position will involve supporting the 2006 and beyond loss factor methodology; calculating loss factors using inputs from solved PSSE cases and utilizing the methodology software; responding to information requests on the GTA; providing ongoing support of Rider ‘E’; validating solved PSSE base cases for adequate topology, voltage profiles, power flows, appropriate project content, and load/generation levels; developing, providing analysis, and completing the annual Generic Stacking order; extracting and analyzing historic data for generators, DOS, ISD’s, and import/export levels; and providing further innovative services for AESO internal and external customers in the context of our loss factor program.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Advanced understanding of the power system allowing the ability to review the power system load flow base cases to enable calculation of loss factors for interconnected generators, opportunity service loads and import/export schedules;
• Annual calculation of loss factors (raw, normalized) and Rider ‘E’, for new and existing generators, including all system changes;
• Calculation of the calibration factor and related data gathering and development activities
• Calculation of loss factors for opportunity service loads and import/export schedules as required;
• Maintaining appropriate documentation of all methods, policies, procedures, and practices involving the loss factor calculation process;
• Interfacing with customers to address loss factor calculation issues and be prepared to explain methodologies involving loss factor calculations;
• Development of new methods to improve efficiency and accuracy of loss factor calculations;
• Coordinate loss factor calculation efforts, including GSO development, with various departments within the AESO, including Regulatory, Commercial, Engineering, Customer Service, and Operations;
• Providing technical support related to system loss factor and losses calculations to other AESO departments, including information request (IR’s) analysis as required; and
• To provide mentorship and training to professional engineers and staff within the AESO and to assist and support the manager to achieve business goals.
• Development of a forecast methodology for the Net-To-Grid (NTG) amount.
• Development of a process to monitor the actual NTG amount with the forecasted NTG.
• Implementation of Raw Loss Factor (RLF) based loss forecasting.

Education:

• Minimum B.Sc. In Electrical Engineering with focus on power systems (post-graduate degree is preferred)
• Appropriate certification for professional designations

Knowledge, Skills Abilities and Experience Required:

• Eight to ten years experience in power system analysis and operation (can be relaxed with a post graduate degree in Electrical Engineering)
• Power flow study execution (for example - PTI PSS/E, GE PSLF, etc) utilizing power system analysis software; Knowledge in programming languages (Fortran, Matlab etc.), data tools (PI), as well as in MS Office, spreadsheets, and commercial database tools.
• Experience in DBA is an asset
• Load, loss, and operational forecasting
• Understanding and application of a commercial energy market with tariff implications

If you are interested in the above position, please email your resume in confidence to careers@aeso.ca by August 9, 2010 in order to be considered.

The AESO is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes. Any resumes submitted become the sole property of the Alberta Electric System Operator.

The AESO would like to thank all applicants for their interest however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. By submitting your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, you hereby consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information by the AESO, in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Information Protection Act of Alberta, as amended from time to time.

100727

Director Sales, Retail Power – (Pittsburgh/Philadelphia)

We are confidentially recruiting for a Director Sales, Retail Power to build and manage a sales force in the PA market. New energy retailer is entering the Pennsylvania open market and is
building a energy commodity sales team from top down. Candidate must have quantifiable successful experience in the PJM retail power markets. Player/coach must sell and manage a team of high-octane sales athletes. Develop an aggressive market strategy and detailed marketing plan drive commodity sales.

Results:

• Oversee the general management including Sales/Marketing
• Develop and protect a strong commercial brand
• Foster key relationships with customers and business partners.
• Oversee the development of a successful business retention program for customers

Prerequisites:

• Experience in the retail energy Commodity Industry.
• Detailed understanding of the Power Market in PA
• Exceptional communicator with good presentation and negotiation skills.

For confidential consideration call to introduce and/or e-mail resume to Scott Brownholtz: resumes@brownholtz.com. 916-649-3200.

100727

Project Controller

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas or Other Locations

Power Plant Management Services, LLC (www.ppmsllc.com) provides general management services to financial owners of independent power generating facilities. The company manages cash flows, ensures the quality of plant operations, and oversees regulatory compliance for a portfolio of facilities across the United States.

The position reports to the Director of Accounting and Finance and is responsible for accounting functions for the Plum Point Energy Association, LLC including participation agreement, credit agreement management, updating economics and waterfall distributions, preparing partner distributions and capital calls, oversight and preparation of monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements, general ledger accounting, monthly financial statement compilations and entering all transactions and subsequently analyzing and reconciling inventory, A/P, A/R, fixed assets, equity, and all other accounts, as well as, special projects assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of at least ten (10) years of accounting experience.
• Knowledge of regulations, policies, and procedures which apply to accounting and financing in the power industry.
• Experience with financial reporting and analysis and cash flow management.
• Demonstrated experience with accounting applications such as Syteline, Peachtree, MAS 90, and QuickBooks.

Education and Certifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• Certified Public Accountant Certification (CPA) is desired.
• Master degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field is desired.

Competitive Salary and Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Retirement

All inquiries are confidential, please send resume to:

Phil Plott
HR Manager
Power Plant Management Services
pplott@ppmsllc.com

100723

Compliance Manager

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas or Other Locations

Power Plant Management Services, LLC (www.ppmsllc.com) provides general management services to financial owners of independent power generating facilities. The company manages cash flows, ensures the quality of plant operations, and oversees regulatory compliance for a portfolio of facilities across the United States.

The Compliance Manager is responsible for power plant EHS oversight including managing and overseeing the principles, regulations, methods and techniques for monitoring safety and health programs to protect people, the quality of resources, and the environment. The scope of the position encompasses environmental, health & safety, NERC, FERC/EIA/PUC and all other power plant governmental compliance obligations. Estimated travel is 30%.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years experience working in the EH&S field.
• Experience working with regulatory and compliance programs in the energy industry.
• Diplomacy and the ability to simultaneously understand governmental, owner, client, and organizational needs and use this ability to communicate effectively and deliver superior quality projects.
• Experience with NERC oversight and compliance.
• Direct experience in the process of environmental permit renewals.
• Experience with emission credits, permit renewal support, and FERC/EIA/PUC reporting.
• Direct experience in RMP implementations and continued compliance.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor degree in Supply Management, Economics, Metallurgy, Mining, or Engineering or a related discipline; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Master degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field is desired.

Competitive Salary and Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Retirement

All inquiries are confidential, please send resume to:

Phil Plott
HR Manager
Power Plant Management Services
pplott@ppmsllc.com

100723

Fuel and Commodities Manager

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas or Other Locations

Power Plant Management Services, LLC (www.ppmsllc.com) provides general management services to financial owners of independent power generating facilities. The company manages cash flows, ensures the quality of plant operations, and oversees regulatory compliance for a portfolio of facilities across the United States.

The position is responsible for planning and directing fuel and commodities activities (coal, limestone, ammonia, activated carbon, ash by-products, etc.) including effectively managing the procurement of fuel and the pooling agreements with an emphasis on controlling costs, managing risks, and improving profitability. The scope of the position includes developing the sourcing approach, negotiating prices and terms, ensuring supplier performance measures are developed and monitored, and managing transportation. Travel is estimated to be approximately 30%.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of five (5) years experience and proven skills in managing a purchasing and logistics organization.

2. Knowledge of the key economic drivers that affect fuel prices and experience forecasting future trends of supply and price for a variety of products.

3. Experience negotiating fuel and transportation agreements.

4. Knowledge of the rail industry and ability to negotiate effective agreements with gas and railroad companies.

5. Demonstrated experience in understanding the effects of switching fuel specifications on an operating power plant and how to evaluate equipment changes required to change fuel specifications.

6. Experience identifying and implementing quality control procedures and standards for purchasing processes and systems that consistently improve power plant performance and standards for efficiency and quality.

Education:

• Bachelor degree in Supply Management, Economics, Metallurgy, Mining, or Engineering or a related discipline; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Master degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field is desired.

Competitive Salary and Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Retirement

All inquiries are confidential, please send resume to:

Phil Plott
HR Manager
Power Plant Management Services
pplott@ppmsllc.com

100723

Senior Market Monitoring Analyst

LOCATION: Folsom, CA

PURPOSE: Conducting analysis of overall energy market performance and efficiency, the impact of market rules, and behavior of market participants.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Supports the development and management of market analysis.
• Monitors and analyzes market performance, market participant behavior and compliance with market rules.
• Designs and calculates indices for monitoring market performance and market participant behavior.
• Assists in the design, development and management of surveillance/monitoring systems used in identifying, analyzing and investigating market performance, efficiency, participant behavior and compliance with market rules.
• Participates in the development of enhanced Tariff provisions or other options for improving market design and efficiency, preventing and sanctioning market gaming, abuses and non-compliance with the ISO Tariff or other relevant contracts and market rules.
• Provides guidance and expertise to other level staff within the department.
• Provides economic analysis related to market design issues.
• Performs investigations of market performance, behavior and design issues and creates special analytical reports as needed
• Prepares and analyzes data queries, reports, charts and slide presentations to support special studies, investigations, Board Meetings and Market Monitoring Assessment reports.
• Maintains a highly secure and protected market investigation process.
• Attends business meetings, and collaborates with colleagues to develop “best practices", and to identify and resolve issues to help create a flexible and efficient organization
• Aheres to and supports the Core Values of the ISO
• Performs related duties and activities as appropriate

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Level of Education

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) required. Master’s (MS, MA, or MBA) or Ph.D degree highly preferred.

Discipline

• Economics, Business, Engineering, or Operations Research, or related technical field.

Amount of Experience

• Five or more years of related experience.

Type of Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas: econometrics, statistical analysis, industrial organization, market performance monitoring, utility operations and planning, energy trading, regulatory and policy analysis etc. Experience with large data sets, econometrics, computer modeling, and analysis of electric market performance is helpful. Strong computer programming skills required. Demonstrated skills directly related to or transferable to market monitoring. Familiarity with the analysis of electric market operations and performance, and/or design and operation of California or other Western energy markets desirable. Computer skills (e.g. Excel) and programming (SQL, SAS, etc.) desirable.

Other

• Strong quantitative skills with a strong emphasis on statistical analysis.
• Experience or familiarity with manipulation and analysis of large data sets.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.
• Must have excellent multi-tasking, critical thinking, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills required.
• Strong quantitative skills with a strong emphasis on statistical analysis.

Apply on-line

100723

Senior Analyst – Supply, Portfolio Management - ERCOT

Purpose: To perform day-to-day portfolio management activities for the retail electricity portfolio.

Reports to: Director – Supply, Portfolio Management
 
Location: GSERNA HQ, Houston, TX
 
Status: Salary, Exempt
 
Job Functions

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for daily energy position and mark to market (MTM) reporting activities
• Responsible for the updating, tracking and maintenance of various weekly and monthly reporting functions
• Assist with short term position/portfolio management activities in ERCOT including; buying/selling power and ancillary services, submitting day-ahead energy bids/offers and coordinating all load scheduling activities with the scheduling desk.
• Assist with the daily execution and optimization of financial products and call/put options
• Assist in the execution of gas trades on behalf of the heat rate portfolio
• Responsible for validating the accuracy of wholesale hedges in Zainet and/or reports produced by GSENA-Trade Control.
• Interact with Operations/Load Analytics and Pricing Groups to ensure accuracy of the load position.
• Assist with the procurement of Congestion Revenue Rights through ISO-run auctions
• Interact with regional Pricing team members by communicating changes to various inputs of the pricing and costing curves
• Assist with maintenance and calibration of forward pricing curves, ancillary services and other ISO related costs
• Continually monitor the regulatory environment and assist in assessing all issues that may impact GSERNA’s product structures and cost to serve in the ERCOT Nodal market.
• Support the development and maintenance of models and systems to further streamline communications and data flow for daily and monthly portfolio management activities.
• Support new product development activities through coordination with various internal functional groups
• Assist with development, testing and maintenance of application platforms
• Act as a team member with all employees of GDF Suez staff
• Comply with all GDF Suez policies and procedures

Other Functions 

• Carries out other duties as assigned

Requirements

Essential Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge of MS Excel and Database Applications (such as Access and/or Oracle) is required – Advanced knowledge is preferred
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills are required
• Position requires initiative and high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written at various levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to think logically and with clear reasoning is required
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage stressful situations is required
• Ability to work within a team and receive direction from others is required
    
  Essential Physical Abilities:
• Ability to meet highest attendance requirements
• Ability to use personal computer, calculator, etc.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Could involve some lifting up to 25 lbs

Other Abilities

• Knowledge of Pricing Expert, Siebel, or LPSS a plus
• Knowledge and proficiency in VB, SQL is a plus
• Knowledge of energy transaction management systems is a plus: Zainet, Ventyx/nMarket
• Knowledge of energy options and risk management is a plus

Experience/ Education

• Bachelor’s degree is required – Majors in Business, Economics, Engineering, Accounting, Mathematics or Computer Science are preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of power/energy experience required: scheduling, trading, generation/asset optimization, and/or settlements are a plus.
• Retail Power industry experience highly preferred: ERCOT market experience preferred
• Knowledge of wholesale power and natural gas product structures and/or power generation fundamentals highly preferred
• MBA degree is a plus
• Knowledge of ISO website portals and communication protocols a plus

Working Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

GDF SUEZ is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply on-line at www.gdfsuezna.com

100722

09-5166: Customer Programs Advisor II

Job Description:

• This role will be responsible for acting as the subject matter expert on California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market rules, operations and protocols that impact SDG&E Demand Response programs.
• Coordinating the integration of SDG&E's Demand Response Programs with the CA wholesale market under Market Redesign & Technology Upgrade (MRTU)
  Implementation activities will require among other things, tariff changes, changes in procedures and coordination with program manangers, policy advisors, regulatory, power scheduling, account executives and marketing
• Responsible for the design, implementation and execution of the demand response and energy technology programs, including adherence to program rules and business controls
• Responsible for management of programmatic budgets. Keep current on CAISO market rules and upcoming CAISO market changes. Develop implementation plans and manage transition of programs to MRTU compliant products with schedule agreed to or provided by the CPUC

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, architecture, marketing, engineering or equivalent experience. An advanced degree in business or marketing is desirable
• Competitive sales/marketing experience
• Five or more years working within the power industry
• Understanding of commercial/industrial customer programs, and the design and execution of such programs desired
• Very strong program/project management skills
• Creative and strategic in identifying and implementing methods to retain and add customer participation in company programs
• Understand of the core Commercial/Industrial tariff rates and rules and energy systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to turn strategic vision into operating programs- program or product management expertise. Effective communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Availability to travel extensively throughout the local service area, with occasional out-of-state travel

For those interested in applying, please visit: http://www.sdge.com/careers/jobs.shtml (Req: 09-5166)

100708

Energy Analyst

Golden State Water Company (GSWC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of American States Water Company (NYSE: AWR), provides reliable and quality water for over 250,000 households in California. One million people in ten northern, coastal and southern Californian counties receive their water from GSWC. Additionally, GSWC provides electricity to over 22,000 homes and businesses through the Bear Valley Electric Service in Big Bear, California.

Accountability

The Energy Analyst is accountable by ensuring optimization of BVES’ energy resources. As a responsible professional, the incumbent in this position must have the ability to work independently, exercise initiative and judgment in the performance of the core job responsibilities of this position. The incumbent also needs to be skilled in the ability to answer questions, draw conclusions and make recommendations as needed to facilitate a dynamic and high performance organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Economics or related discipline
• Five years of electrical utility experience, including power generation
• Understanding of California energy market
• Experience with regulatory processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong written, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Strong to excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills
• Good negotiation skills

Compensation: We offer a highly competitive compensation package including base salary of $57,000 – $95,000, a Defined Pension, 401(k), medical, dental and vision insurance, paid holidays and vacation.

To Apply: Access the Company’s Career site at www.gswater.com (click on about Golden State Water Company)

100708

The Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization, founded in 1986, that is dedicated to reducing the economic, social, and environmental costs of energy consumption through cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. 

VEIC operates Efficiency Vermont - the nation's first statewide 'energy efficiency utility' as well as other implementation services across the country. You can learn more about this program at www.efficiencyvermont.com.

SENIOR ENERGY CONSULTANT

This position supports the Business Energy Services department to identify, advocate for and advise on energy efficiency improvements in new construction and existing industrial, commercial and multi-family buildings.  You would also perform a wide range of analyses, estimate savings and costs, screen measures, provide a high level of technical assistance and prepare written reports with energy efficiency upgrade recommendations for business customers.

Requirements: 

BS in mechanical or electrical engineering, environmental science, related field and/or CEM preferred plus a minimum of 8 years analyzing energy use, identifying opportunities for energy improvements, and assisting customers. 

We are specifically looking for candidates with a high level of experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Process Engineering
• Refrigeration
• HVAC

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to resume@veic.org.

To see the full job description and to learn more about our amazing benefits and work culture, go to www.veic.org.

100708