Job Summary (Overall Purpose of the Position)

The purpose of the Market Operations Coordinator position is to provide leadership, energy market operations, and business management skills to the regional electric energy market participation of Midwest Energy, Inc.

Job Duties – Responsibilities - Tasks

Assume responsibility for the overall direction of the deployment of energy resources and participation in the SPP IM, manage the utilization of Energy Management Services as it relates to execution of Midwest Energy’s market strategies and policies.

Regional Energy Market Operations and Settlements:

1. Develop policies and strategies for Midwest Energy’s participation in the Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) Integrated Market (“IM”).
2. Ensure that internal policies and strategies for IM participation optimize purchased power agreements and company-owned resources to maximize revenues in the SPP market while limiting risk and implement strategies related to bidding in load in the SPP IM to reduce overall production costs.
3. Provide leadership in the development of the internal requirements for participation in the SPP IM, including market participation and bid/offer strategy development and execution.
4. Represent Midwest Energy in applicable SPP working groups, providing input, guidance, and direction—particularly on Resource Adequacy—while contributing to the ongoing development, implementation, and operation of the SPP IM.
5. Provide support and overall direction for transmission service related to purchased power agreements and congestion hedging requirements associated with participation in the SPP IM.
6. Administer market management service agreements with other entities related to participation in the SPP IM. Develop and negotiate new or replacement service agreements as required.
7. Engage with wholesale municipal customers to manage purchased power agreements, transmission service, operations, and municipal generation accreditation. Collaborate to optimize municipal generator performance while ensuring compliance with all relevant SPP performance-based accreditation policy guidelines.
8. Coordinate with the contract Plant Manager in matters related to generation operations, establishing heat rate curves and market offer parameters, planned and forced outages, adherence to SPP IM dispatch of generators, and other matters relative to participation of Midwest Energy’s generation assets in the SPP IM. Facilitate tracking of generation performance in accordance with the SPP performance-based accreditation policy guidelines.
9. Coordinate with the Gas Supply Manager to ensure adequate fuel supplies are available and scheduled to match anticipated generation dispatch.
10. Support the VP Energy Supply in procurement of long-term electric energy supplies and contracts, including transmission requirements.
11. Prepare and submit monthly transmission settlement data to the SPP. Analyze, interpret, and reconcile monthly SPP transmission and market settlement statements.
12. Prepare monthly billing statements for municipal and other wholesale customers.
13. Maintain precise accounting of all load, generation, and interchange in the MIDW settlement area. As the registered meter agent, ensure all meter submission deadlines are met in accordance with SPP guidelines.
14. Collaborate with the energy management analyst to accurately track participation in Midwest Energy's demand response program. Support the VP of Energy Supply in developing short-term load forecasts for optimal DR deployment.

General:

1. In coordination with the System Operation Coordinator, responsible for oversight and review of energy accounting as it relates to Meter Agent submittals and all daily/monthly checkout procedures.
2. Recommend to management changes, new initiatives, etc. to maintain and execute effective processes and procedures within the company.
3. Develop and maintain internal and external working relationships. Ensure communication and exchange of information to present a positive corporate image, both internally and externally. Keep management informed of issues that might impact the work environment.
4. Promote safe working habits and enforce all safety rules and regulations of Midwest Energy, Inc. Lead by example in safety compliance and take corrective action on safety violations, defective equipment, and any other practice that may adversely affect a safe working environment.
5. Keep informed regarding new developments, trends, and best practices in relevant field. Recommend changes, initiatives, etc. to management for effective processes and procedures within the company.
6. Keep apprised of changes and developments in pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules, and take appropriate action to stay in compliance with said rules, regulations, etc.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.
2. Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible experience in RTO market operations or transmission operations.
3. Certification through the North American Electric Reliability Corp. as a certified System Operator is preferred but not required.
4. Possess a sound knowledge of principles and practices used in the operation of an electric transmission and distribution system.
5. Must be familiar with criteria and market protocols developed by the Southwest Power Pool.
6. Have strong analytical skills and a working knowledge of computer software and tools used in market operations, energy accounting and data analysis.
7. Understanding of FERC uniform system of accounts.
8. A valid Kansas Driver’s License is required.

Key Competencies

1. Demonstrated skills in effectively dealing with people and getting results.
2. Ability to work independently with a minimum amount of supervision.
3. Strong interpersonal skills.
4. Ability to work productively under pressure.
5. Able to adapt to changing demands, with the ability to refocus and develop options for quick changes in projects.
6. Ability to identify problems and use solid judgement along with decision making skills to solve problems effectively and efficiently.
7. Demonstrated ability to evaluate situations, think creatively, and find effective solutions.
8. Ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
9. Demonstrated excellent listening and communication skills, both written and oral; able to present complex information in an understandable manner.
10. High attention to detail and accuracy.
11. Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
12. Must have the ability to research and recommend improvements in technologies and processes.
13. Ability to interface effectively and establish effective working relationships with the Southwest Power Pool personnel, external generation company contacts, customers and employees.
14. Demonstrated analytical skills and intermediate-level proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

About Midwest Energy, Inc.

Midwest Energy, Inc is Kansas' largest energy cooperative, serving approximately 50,000 electric meters and 43,000 natural gas meters in 40 central and western Kansas counties. Headquartered in Hays, KS Midwest Energy is proud of its growth-oriented and entrepreneurial history. Midwest has 270 employees.

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