Utility Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Energy Resource Planning team plays a critical role in shaping the future of our energy portfolio by evaluating emerging technologies, supporting regional market participation, informing long-term investment decisions, and ensuring reliable and affordable service for our customers.

As a Resource Planner III, you will help develop the analytical foundation for major strategic decisions, including generation resource acquisitions, regional market participation, resource adequacy planning, and long-term system investments.

The ideal candidate is curious, analytical, and able to translate complex technical information into actionable business insights. They thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy solving challenging energy planning problems, and are motivated by helping shape the future of the electric utility industry. Success in this role requires balancing technical rigor with practical decision-making while effectively communicating recommendations to a wide range of stakeholders.

• Support Colorado Springs Utilities' participation in SPP planning, resource adequacy, and market development activities
• Analyze SPP revision requests, tariff changes, policy proposals, and stakeholder initiatives, providing technical recommendations and evaluating operational, financial, and reliability impacts
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, finance, customer programs, environmental services, regulatory affairs, and executive leadership to develop utility positions, technical comments, presentations, and stakeholder responses
• Support SPP/RTO data requests, reporting requirements, model development, readiness initiatives, strategic planning updates, and workbook submissions
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, visualizations, and performance metrics that communicate planning assumptions, resource portfolio performance, market trends, strategic risks, and key insights
• Prepare presentations, reports, and technical memoranda for executive leadership, governing boards, regulatory agencies, and stakeholder groups.
• Support the development and maintenance of long-range Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), including planning scenarios that assess resource needs, market conditions, technology adoption, and policy impacts
• Conduct sensitivity analyses, probabilistic modeling, and risk assessments to evaluate uncertainty and inform strategic decision-making.
• Maintain and enhance load forecasting, resource optimization, and planning support tools
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes through automation, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence applications
• Participate in industry workgroups, technical conferences, and regional planning forums to stay current on emerging trends and best practices

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Energy Systems, Mathematics, Data Analytics, Operations Research, Business, Finance, or a related field
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in electric utility planning, power systems analysis, energy markets, integrated resource planning, utility economics, or related analytical functions
• Experience applying quantitative analysis techniques to support business or operational decision-making.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis tools

• Knowledge of integrated resource planning practices and resource adequacy concepts
• Familiarity with wholesale electricity markets and Regional Transmission Organization operations
• Experience working with Southwest Power Pool (SPP) policies, tariff provisions, and stakeholder processes
• Experience developing dashboards and data visualizations using Power BI
• Understanding of generation technologies, battery energy storage systems, transmission planning, renewable energy resources, and utility regulatory frameworks
• Experience with SQL, Python, R, or other data analytics tools

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (1/3 of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary only if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other criteria are met.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions within an office working environment.

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave – 3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness