Day-Ahead Operator - Sr, III, II or I

Southwest Power Pool; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Hybrid working environment

401(k) with employer-match + pension

Job summary

Southwest Power Pool is seeking a Day-Ahead Operator to support the Day-Ahead Market and related desk functions in a 24/7 operation. You will manage market actions one day ahead, ensure reliability, and work with a team across shifts in a hybrid work environment.

Strong analytical skills and knowledge of market rules are essential. The role requires progression through levels with increasing responsibility, mentoring staff, and coordinating efforts on ad-hoc projects while maintaining high

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• NERC System Operator certification or ability to obtain within three months
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field preferred (electrical engineering)

Responsibilities

• Manage day-ahead market functions and pricing one day in advance
• Drive resource commitments for current and next day
• Provide energy price forecasts and support desk functions
• Mentor staff and coordinate team efforts on projects
• Test and validate new functionality and provide feedback

Skills

Good communication

Decision making

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

NERC System Operator certification

Tools

Databases

Software development

Job description

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 considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Sr. Senior Day-ahead Operator- Pay Range $97,580 – $126,795
• Day-Ahead Operator III – Pay Range $87,950 – $112,190
• Day-Ahead Operator II - Pay Range $70,320 – $87,895
• Day-Ahead Operator I - Pay range $64,060 – $78,465

Overview

Day-Ahead Operators work collaboratively to execute essential financial and reliability functions within SPP’s Integrated Marketplace. Operators develop strong situational awareness, customer service skills, and a foundational understanding of the Bulk Electric System. They learn and apply market rules, tariff requirements, and governing procedures while supporting key desk functions including the Day‑Ahead Market (DAMKT), the Day‑Ahead Reliability Unit Commitment (DARUC), and the Multi‑Day Forecast (MDFC). As Operators advance through levels, responsibilities expand to include discretion-based decision making, testing new functionality, mentoring staff, leading change coordination efforts, and contributing to ad‑hoc projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-ahead Market (DAMKT): Manage market functions used for hedging price volatility and setting offer/bid schedules one day in advance.
• Day-ahead Reliability Unit Commitment (DARUC): Drive additional resource commitments to meet system needs for the remainder of the current day and one day in advance.
• Multi-day Forecast (MDFC): Provide additional non-binding energy prices and resource commitments up to 4 days in advance.
• Learn tariff and market rules as appropriate
• Compliance with governing documentation of primary desk functions
• Support and run primary desk functions using available tools
• Verify inputs for completeness and accuracy of primary desk functions
• Run primary desk functions within required parameters and timeframe
• Verify primary desk function results for completeness and accuracyCollaborate and communicate with Operators on the floor, Functional Coordinators and Markets as needed
• Triage system concerns and deploy appropriate support staff
• Test existing primary desk functions as needed
• Provide recommendations for improvements to processes and procedures
• Exercise experience-based discretion in the decision-making process
• Understand impacts to both upstream and downstream functions (Levels II–Sr)
• Assist management with ad-hoc projects and analyses (Levels II–Sr)
• Test newly developed functionality and provide meaningful feedback
• Mentor less-tenured staff and lead team coordination efforts (Sr Level)

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Sr. Day-Ahead Operator - Eight (8) years combined experience as Operator I, II, or equivalent industry experience
• Day-Ahead Operator III - Three (3) years combined experience as Operator I, II, or equivalent industry experience
• Day-Ahead Operator II - One (1) year experience as Operator I or equivalent industry experience
• Day-Ahead Operator I - NERC System Operator certification, or the ability to secure such certification within three months of employment

Other Requirements

• Good communication skills
• Ability to make decisions with very little direct supervision required
• Motivation to take appropriate action when required
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Work a 10X7 rotating shift which will include weekends and holidays
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in technical field, such as electrical engineering
• Knowledge of SPP Criteria, SPP OATT, Market Protocols, NERC Operating Policies, scheduling practices and pro forma tariff procedures widely practiced in the industry
• Working knowledge of databases and/or software development
• Understanding of energy market mechanisms and settlements

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position supporting 24/7 operations. The typical schedule is based upon a constant rotating shift schedule consisting of 12-hour shifts or longer, often including holidays and weekend shifts. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management.

Travel Requirement

• This position requires minimal travel (approximately 0-5%)

SPP 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, SPP 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 [e-mail] 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.