Operational Load Forecasting, SR (Hybrid)

ERCOT; Taylor (TX); On-site; USD 132,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

ERCOT is seeking an experienced professional to support operational and planning load forecasting for the Texas grid. You will analyze 0-to-11 day hourly forecasts, develop models, and monitor forecast performance to ensure reliable system operation.

Responsibilities include data quality checks, tool development, and collaboration with Operations to assess forecast risks and performance. A background in statistics, meteorology, or engineering with Python/R/SQL is preferred.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with wind and solar generation is preferred. Experience with load forecasting, weather-driven analytics, statistical or time-series modeling, large datasets, and data analysis tools such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports 0-to-11 day hourly and sub-hourly load forecast analyses.
• Develops forecasting models, tools, and procedures to monitor forecast performance.
• Analyzes historical load, weather, calendar, and operational data to validate and improve models.
• Maintains forecast performance metrics, dashboards, and recurring analyses.
• Provides guidance and training to less experienced analysts as required.
• Collaborates with Operations to communicate forecast changes, risks, and implications.

Skills

Wind & solar experience

Load forecasting

Weather analytics

Statistical / time-series modeling

Python

R

SQL

SAS

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Education

Bachelor’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology

Master’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Python

R

SQL

SAS

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career.

ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Job Summary

Provides analysis and technical support for ERCOT’s operational and planning load forecasting processes to ensure continuing reliable operations of the electric power grid in compliance with NERC Standards, ERCOT Protocols and Market Guides. Implements appropriate demand and load forecasting modeling, develops tools and procedures to monitor forecast performance, input data quality, model outputs, weather and demand conditions in support of system operators. Develops solutions for current or future demand and load forecasting issues, and appropriately reports findings and recommendations. Supports the evaluation and adoption of advanced analytics and emerging forecasting tools to improve forecast quality, situational awareness, and operational decision support.

Job Duties

Operational Load Forecasting — Level 2 / Level 3

• Understands the basic principles, theories and concepts related to the profession and learns how to apply them within the ERCOT culture.
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.
• Contributes to specific objectives and outcomes as directed.

Operational Load Forecasting Sr

• Understands and applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession and ERCOT's culture.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Impact is generally limited to specific assignments or projects.
• May respond to inquiries and/or provide assistance and/or guidance to lower level workers.

Additional Job Duties

Operational Load Forecasting — Level 2 / Level 3

• Works under the direction of a senior-level analyst, Lead, supervisor, or manager to support ERCOT’s 0-to-11-day hourly and sub-hourly operational load forecast and related planning load forecasting assignments.
• Provides technical expertise to the ISO and Load Forecasting team for operational and planning load forecast analysis, including forecast production support, monitoring, and performance review.
• Supports the development , testing, implementation, documentation, and training of load forecasting methodologies , models, tools, and procedures.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Supports load forecasting model runs, data quality checks, input/output validation, and historical database updates.
• Reviews and analyzes historical load, weather, calendar, and operational event data from ERCOT and other relevant independent sources to validate, maintain, and improve statistical and time-series load forecasting models.
• Creates estimates for the ERCOT Control Area annual energy and monthly, daily, hourly, and peak models that involve economic forecasts, historical database updates and maintenance.
• Supports development of the ERCOT, state, and sub-area hourly and sub-hourly forecasts for 0 to 11 days.
• Develops and enhances demand response models, and other energy models, including plug-in electric vehicles, distributed generation models, and other load modifier models.
• Develops and maintains forecast performance metrics, reports, dashboards, and recurring analyses.
• Supports analysis used to develop recommendations to Operations on load forecast, demand response, load modifier impacts, forecast uncertainty, and operational forecast risks, in coordination with the Operational Load Forecasting Lead, supervisor, or manager as appropriate.
• Provides load forecast and demand response recommendations to Operations, in coordination with the Operational Load Forecasting Lead, supervisor, or manager as appropriate.
• Participates in daily meetings with Operations and Outage Coordination staff, as assigned, to support communication of forecast changes, forecast risks, and operational implications.
• May support after-hours forecast review, event analysis, or operational forecast support as assigned. At times weekend on-call rotations will be required.

Operational Load Forecasting Sr — Above +

• Serves as a technical subject matter expert for operational and planning load forecasting, model development, validation, and performance analysis.
• Works independently on more complex forecast performance and uncertainty analysis, model validation, historical event review, and methodology support.
• Supports higher-volume and more complex recurring forecast reviews, reports, dashboards, and analysis requests.
• Assists in developing weather-driven forecasting analytics, decision-support tools, processes, and procedures that enhance forecast performance, input data quality, model review, and departmental efficiencies.
• Participates in multifunctional teams to obtain input, address comments, and support load forecasting studies, methodology changes, and process improvements.
• Provides guidance, on-the-job training, mentoring, or oversight to less experienced analysts on load forecasting model runs, data review, forecast performance analysis, and documentation as required.
• May support responses to executive and management inquiries and special reporting requests related to operational load forecasting, in coordination with Operational Load Forecasting Lead, supervisor, or manager as appropriate.
• May serve as a quality assurance and best practices resource for assigned load forecasting models, forecast performance analysis, reports, dashboards, and operational forecast support processes.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging trends and industry best practices applicable to load forecasting, operational forecasting, and forecast analytics.

Experience

• Familiarity with wind and solar power generation is preferred. Experience with load forecasting, weather-driven analytics, statistical or time-series modeling, large datasets, and data analysis tools such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools is preferred.

Operational Load Forecasting — Level 2 / Level 3

• Level 2: Requires minimum 1 year job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
• Level 3: Requires minimum 3 years job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements.

Operational Load Forecasting Sr / Lead

• Senior: Requires minimum 5 years job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements.
• Lead: Requires minimum 8 years job-related work experience in excess of degree requirements.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology required.
• Master’s Degree: Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Meteorology preferred.
• A combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required.

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. ; #Hybrid

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range

$132,000 - $182,000