Utility Analyst

Under general direction, the Utility Analyst is responsible for monitoring utility projects for contract compliance and budget reconciliation for the Southern California Public Power Authority’s (SCPPA) current operating projects, including traditional and renewable generation, transmission, and natural gas reserves projects. Duties also include assisting in the creation of annual project and administrative budgets totaling almost $1 billion, onboarding new projects, and ongoing management of operating projects. Additional duties include creating and managing budget reports, performing financial analysis, and supporting special projects in the Finance, Assets, Programs, and Project Development Departments

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class. 

• Identify and resolve contract, budget and performance issues with the various companies and agencies involved with current projects. 
• Coordinate with Legal to identify and resolve contract and related legal issues in current projects. 
• Provide functional support to the SCPPA working groups and committees, including Renewable Energy, Natural Gas, Assistant General Managers, and Asset Management Working Groups along with the Finance Committee. 
• Serve as alternate representative for SCPPA in operating and management committees for joint participation projects as well as natural gas reserves and communications working groups. 
• Assist with annual administrative and project budget creation and prepare quarterly reports comparing actual expenditures to budgets. 
• Prepare and provide updated reports for project credit support facilities. 
• Organize files of all project information to allow Members and SCPPA staff to access project records and documents. 
• Participate in natural gas trading activities as needed. 
• Assist with the negotiation, evaluation and approval of service contracts, and supervise consultants and vendors in the achievement of requested tasks. 
• Perform settlement checkout and invoicing for natural gas trades. 
• Coordinate between SCPPA Accounting, SCPPA LA, and Project Participants. 
• Coordinate between SCPPA Project Participants and project operators. 
• Develop written and oral reports describing the status of projects, both operational and financial. 
• WREGIS accounting of Renewable Energy Credits generated by SCPPA projects for SCPPA members. 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS  
Knowledge of: 

• Electric utility industry operations, including generation, transmission, and distribution systems. 
• Utility project accounting including billing, collection, rates, debt servicing, bond funding, purchasing and treasury. 
• Utility project contracts including performance guarantees, penalty sections, expiration date issues, re-negotiations and new regulations that impact an existing contract. 
• Specific issues in each form of power including all forms of renewables including solar, wind, geothermal, as well as natural gas, coal, hydro-electric and nuclear. 
• Power purchase agreements to interpret the specific financial or technical issues that arise during the term of an agreement that need to be resolved. 
• CAISO market scheduling and settlements. 
• Principles of budget and financial analysis and tracking actual expenditures against plan. 
• Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point and modern information and financial analysis systems. 

Ability to: 

Manage priorities to ensure the most critical project issues are responded to in a timely manner. 

• Communicate effectively in writing and orally to all parties involved in the management of SCPPA projects. 
• Conduct critical thinking and offer credible solutions. Analyze complex data. 
• Implement the most current methods of project accounting including third party payments and debt financing. 
• Conduct an on-site review of a project to observe issues in dispute and clarify the contractual obligation of any party to the current agreement. 
• Read and understand contracts and service agreements. 
• Explain complex issues in written form that are understandable to affected parties. 
• Use accounting software and Excel, Word and PowerPoint. 
• Work independently and in groups. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Follow directions and manage time. 
• Display enthusiasm for new and diverse tasks, including learning new skills and working in cross-functional areas beyond day-to-day responsibilities. 

ANALYST CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION: 

Utility Analyst; 

This is an entry level class in the Utility Analyst series.  

The distinguishing feature of this Classification is the lesser degree of independent discretion and lesser complexity of duties. The incumbent may have limited or no directly related work experience.   

Under direct supervision, the Utility Analyst will be learning and executing SCPPA processes for procurement, contract development/ negotiation, budgeting, reporting, dispute resolution, and contract and task order management.  The incumbent will perform more routine tasks and assisting in various projects covering a range of issues.  

The incumbent’s work will be closely reviewed by his/her supervisor for accuracy.   Supervisor will review any errors identified with the incumbent and provide frequent feedback on performance. The incumbent is allowed some latitude in managing and completing ongoing projects/assignments.  Assignments and objectives are set for the employee.  Incumbent is able to follow established work methods and procedures.  

Advancement to the next level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the full range of duties and is at the discretion of the management and Executive Director.