Assoc Merchant Operations Controller

Consumers Energy; Jackson (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Up to 13 paid Holidays

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Consumers Energy in Michigan seeks an Associate Merchant Operations Controller to direct resources for real-time generation asset management. The role requires handling 24/7 rotating shifts, adjusting resource plans, and ensuring compliance with NERC and regulatory standards.

The position acts as Balancing Authority for Consumers Energy Electric Supply, evaluating outages and unit performance, and performing firm load shedding when required. NERC certification is required within one year of hire.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical or business-related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Associate's degree with 2+ years of generating facilities experience and related capabilities.
• High school diploma or GED with 4+ years interacting with generating facilities and related capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Monitor energy sourcing plans and adjust in real time based on system conditions and market dynamics.
• Ensure compliance with NERC standards and regulatory requirements.
• Make complex operational and financial decisions during shifts with guidance.
• Manage real-time requests, alarms, and issues related to intermittent generation resources.
• Support emergency responses and adherence to NERC standards (EOP-004, EOP-008, EOP-011).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Real-time operations

Stakeholder comms

Analytical skills

NERC standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical or business field

Associate's degree + 2+ years generating facilities experience

High school diploma or GED + 4+ years generating facilities experience

Tools

SCADA

OSI

PCI

OATI

CROW

Job description

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This position is onsite at Parnall located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Associate Merchant Operations Controller directs Consumers Energy resources to fulfill the company's operational and regulatory obligations while maximizing the value and performance of generation assets. Working a 24/7 rotating shift schedule, this position is responsible for real-time adjustments to generation resource plans and ensuring compliance with all applicable NERC and regulatory requirements.

The Associate Merchant Operations Controller also supports the evaluation of operational decisions related to scheduled outages and generation unit performance, both of which have significant financial impacts on energy and capacity markets. This position serves as the Balancing Authority for Consumers Energy Electric Supply and is authorized to take all necessary actions to ensure the reliable and economic operation of the Bulk Electric System, including implementing firm load shedding when required. NERC certification is required for this role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor, react to, and adjust energy sourcing plans based on changing system conditions and market dynamics.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable NERC standards and regulatory requirements.
• Make complex operational and financial decisions during assigned shifts with moderate guidance.
• Manage real-time requests, alarms, and operational issues related to intermittent generation resources.
• Support the Company's response to emergency situations and associated NERC standards, including EOP-004, EOP-008, and EOP-011.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of real-time operational systems, including SCADA, OSI, PCI, OATI, and CROW.
• Strong understanding of utility and MISO market practices, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, providing and receiving moderately complex to complex information.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate and resolve complex operational challenges.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a technical or business-related field
  • [OR] Associate's degree in a technical or business-related field and two (2) or more years of experience working at or interacting with generating facilities, including:
    • Ability to analyze and evaluate economic situations
    • Experience interfacing with the MISO market
    • Experience working in a control room or dispatch center environment
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database management
  • [OR] High school diploma or GED and four (4) or more years of experience working at or interacting with generating facilities, including:
    • Ability to analyze and evaluate economic situations
    • Experience interfacing with the MISO market
    • Experience working in a control room or dispatch center environment
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database management

Certifications

• NERC Certification is required and must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid HolidaysPaid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.