Commercial Operations Specialist - Denver, CO

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

401(k) plan

PTO

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Denver, CO is seeking an Energy Scheduling/Commercial Operations associate to support real-time energy buys/sales, gas nomination, and hourly energy balancing. You will learn across Power Operations, Gas Supply and Energy Scheduling, with progression toward independent dispatch.

The role features a 12-hour shift pattern with partial nights and weekends, a hybrid work model (onsite three days weekly), and a background in finance/economics with strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or other field with an emphasis in analytical thinking.
• Six years of experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
• Working knowledge of power system operations, energy industry structure, gas scheduling, or a logistics-based industry is a plus.
• Must be able to handle time pressured deadlines on an hourly and daily basis.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts with partial work on nights and weekends when working in Power Operations and partial on-call availability over weekends when working in Gas Supply is required.

Responsibilities

• Energy Scheduling: Assist in scheduling physical energy purchases and sales with Balancing Areas, counterparties, and energy marketers.
• Gas Supply: Under the supervision of experienced staff, coordinate the scheduling and nomination process for gas supply, transportation, and storage volumes.
• Power System Operations: Under the supervision of experienced staff, learn to coordinate and maintain hourly energy balance between demand and supply requirements. Assist with dispatching generation facilities and purchase power resources with economic consideration to maintain system reliability. Learn to maximize the economic benefit to the system by identifying additional trading opportunities available through the open market. Pursue NERC certification to become qualified to independently dispatch.
• Training: Develop general operational knowledge within Commercial Operations across all three operating companies. Expand functional knowledge of Xcel Energy's core businesses beyond Commercial Operations.
• Staffing Coverage: Once proficiency is developed in the above areas (Power System Operations, Gas Supply, Energy Scheduling), provide staffing coverage as needed in an area by independently performing the responsibilities of the role in times of high workload or staffing shortages.

Skills

Excel Spreadsheets

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical thinking

NERC certification

Power Operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/economics or analytical field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy. Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

Position Summary

• Supports Xcel Energy's Commercial Operations group in ensuring the real time energy demands of its customers are met. Develops knowledge and expertise by completing a series of assignments in the Power Operations, Gas Supply, and Energy Scheduling groups. Acquires utility industry knowledge and proficiency in the skill sets needed to advance into other roles within the Commercial Operations group.

Essential Responsibilities

• Energy Scheduling: Assist in scheduling physical energy purchases and sales with Balancing Areas, counterparties, and energy marketers.
• Gas Supply: Under the supervision of experienced staff, coordinate the scheduling and nomination process for gas supply, transportation, and storage volumes.
• Power System Operations: Under the supervision of experienced staff, learn to coordinate and maintain hourly energy balance between demand and supply requirements. Assist with dispatching generation facilities and purchase power resources with economic consideration to maintain system reliability. Learn to maximize the economic benefit to the system by identifying additional trading opportunities available through the open market. Pursue NERC certification to become qualified to independently dispatch.
• Training: Develop general operational knowledge within Commercial Operations across all three operating companies. Expand functional knowledge of Xcel Energy's core businesses beyond Commercial Operations.
• Staffing Coverage: Once proficiency is developed in the above areas (Power System Operations, Gas Supply, Energy Scheduling), provide staffing coverage as needed in an area by independently performing the responsibilities of the role in times of high workload or staffing shortages.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or other field with an emphasis in analytical thinking (i.e. mathematics, social science fields, etc.).
• Six years of experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
• Working knowledge of power system operations, energy industry structure, gas scheduling, or a logistics-based industry is a plus.
• Must be able to handle time pressured deadlines on an hourly and daily basis.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts with partial work on nights and weekends when working in Power Operations and partial on-call availability over weekends when working in Gas Supply is required.

Preferred

• Proficient using Excel Spreadsheets
• Intermediate writing and verbal communication
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office 365 applications
• Curious self-starters who take initiative

Our Culture

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Values

• Connected
• Committed
• Trustworthy
• Safe

Employee Commitments

Work that makes a difference

A team you can count of Opportunities to grow Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process.

Salary & Benefits

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $104,633.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply: 11/11/26

EEO and Accessibility

EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

Accessibility Statement Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users.

You. Us. Together. At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do.

We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.