Energy Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SPP is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to Work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

**PLEASE NOTE:** **SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.**

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates. Factors such as qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Salary Ranges

• Senior Energy Economist: $112,240 – $145,810
• Senior II Energy Economist: $129,020 - $162,590
• Lead Energy Economist: $128,950 – $167,640

Overview

The Senior, Senior II and Lead Energy Economist-Market Design shape the economic framework that governs SPP's electricity market operations by collaborating with stakeholders, SPP teams, member companies, and the larger Markets team to develop, evaluate, and refine market design principles and rules for the SPP region. Market Design Economists conduct economic analysis to assess the effectiveness of current market mechanisms, identify opportunities for improvements in efficiency, reliability, and transparency, and evaluate proposed market design changes, regulatory policies, and market-based solutions to emerging challenges.

Market Design Economists utilize quantitative and econometric techniques to analyze market data, identify trends, and provide insights into participant behavior and overall market performance. All levels lend expertise across Market Design and Markets, with higher levels expected to independently recommend market design changes, develop market metrics, manage complex analysis projects, and support stakeholder engagement at an advanced level.

Core Responsibilities

• Understand organized wholesale market designs and SPP’s market rules and apply this knowledge to key business functions.
• Coordinate and communicate with SPP market participants and member companies regarding SPP markets.
• Analyze and review market data for market weaknesses and inefficiencies through ad hoc analysis.
• Research and analyze the design of other RTO/ISO markets.
• Document analysis and studies in written reports and communicate findings to internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate market design changes through the SPP stakeholder process.
• Provide technical expertise to SPP committees and working groups and support Working Groups as necessary.
• Support FERC filings by providing data and assisting in drafting letters and testimony.
• Review and develop education materials related to market design and support training of junior-level staff and stakeholders.
• Understand and comply with SPP Policies and Procedures.
• Support cross-team and multi-team initiatives and projects; higher-level roles lead or manage complex analysis components.
• Maintain flexibility to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities.

Qualifications

Senior Energy Economist

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics

• 5 years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, utility regulation or operations, RTO/ISO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, or a directly related field. An advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience.

Senior Energy Economist II

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics

• 8 years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, utility regulation or operations, RTO/ISO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, or a directly related field; or an advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience.

Lead Energy Economist

• Master’s Degree economics

• 10 years of experience in market monitoring, power marketing, utility regulation or operations, RTO/ISO operations, economic analysis, data analysis, or a directly related field; or an advanced degree in a related field may be considered toward relevant years of experience

Preferred Qualifications for all levels

• Experience in one or more of the following: econometrics, statistical analysis, industrial organization, utility regulation or operations, RTO/ISO operations, or energy trading
• Experience with manipulation and analysis of large data sets
• Experience with data visualization tools
• Experience performing analysis using SAS, SQL queries, R, STATA, Python, MATLAB, or another database analytical tool, or programming in any comparable data-oriented environment
• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in economics or closely related field

Preferred Qualifications for Senior and Senior II levels

• Master’s Degree in economics or closely related field

Other Requirements

• Proficient at organizing and conducting technical and analytical studies (Higher level required for Senior II, Lead)
• Knowledge of electricity market concepts (Higher level of understanding required for Senior II, Lead)
• Ability to support cross-team/multi-team initiatives and manage market design components of complex projects
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and public speaking skills
• Strong interpersonal, team-building, and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Competence with communication and data handling software
• Ability to function with constantly changing priorities
• Proficiency in business acumen and professional conduct
• Expertise in market theory with emphasis in electricity markets
• Proficient understanding of microeconomics (Higher level of understanding required for Senior II, Lead)
• Experience performing analysis using SAS, SQL, R, STATA, Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools
• Ability to recognize and address strategic issues important to Market Design (Senior II, Lead)
• Proficient at organizing and conducting complex analytical studies (Senior II, Lead)
• Skilled at analyzing complex issues and communicating results (Senior II, Lead)

Travel Requirement

• 10–15%; (15–25% for remote hires)

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.