Real Time Trader II-III

Arizona-G; Benson (AZ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

AEPCO is seeking a Real-Time Trader II to manage short-term power positions in WECC markets, balancing ISO/RTO trades with bilateral deals. You will optimize generation/load positioning, negotiate trades, and coordinate transmission and tagging across WECC authorities.

The role requires 2–3 years in real-time trading, strong quantitative skills, and the AEPCO Trading Qualification Card. Expect rotating shifts and collaboration with a cross-functional team across the Western Interconnection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in finance, economics, engineering or related field.
• 2–3 years experience in real-time or short-term power trading, scheduling, or transmission ops.
• Understanding of wholesale electricity markets, LMPs, congestion and ancillary services.
• Familiar with NERC e-Tag and tagging across WECC balancing authorities.
• Familiar with OASIS for transmission service management.
• Understanding EEI/WSPP master agreements.
• Familiar with trading/scheduling systems (MCG, PowerOptix) and market data platforms (OMS, CROW, CIDI).
• Strong Excel skills; able to work with large datasets.
• Ability to make quick, well-reasoned decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights/weekends/holidays.
• AEPCO Trading Qualification Card required.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, or experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 24-hour on-call/rotating shift coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Monitor and manage real-time power positions across ISO/RTO markets (e.g., CAISO, CAISO WEIM, SPP RTOE, SPP Markets+).
• Negotiate and execute physical power trades bilaterally with counterparties under EEI/WSPP terms.
• Assess load forecasts, generation output, transmission constraints, and weather to inform trading decisions.
• Identify arbitrage opportunities between ISO/RTO nodes and bilateral hubs/paths.
• Prepare, submit, and manage NERC e-Tags across WECC balancing authority areas.
• Arrange, reserve, and manage transmission service via OASIS on western paths.
• Coordinate with generation asset operators, schedulers, and transmission teams.
• Input transaction and tag data into software; resolve discrepancies with middle office.
• Manage risk within position and credit limits; coordinate with risk, credit, and compliance.
• Maintain detailed trading logs and support post-trade P&L; assist in training junior traders.
• Promote and maintain a team environment.

Skills

Real-time power trading

Analytical thinking

Decision under pressure

Advanced Excel

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Tools

NERC e-Tag system

OASIS

MCG

PowerOptix

OMS

CROW

CIDI

Job description

PURPOSE

The Real-Time Trader II manages the short-term power positions of AEPCO's members across both centralized ISO/RTO markets and bilateral, over-the-counter physical markets in the Western Interconnection (WECC). This role is responsible for optimizing generation and load positions in real-time ISO/RTO markets, as well as negotiating and executing bilateral purchase/sale transactions directly with counterparties, arranging and confirming transmission service across western paths, and tagging and scheduling physical delivery across WECC balancing authorities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field is preferred.
• Two to three years of prior experience in real-time or short-term power trading, scheduling, or transmission operations, spanning ISO/RTO markets and/or WECC bilateral markets.
• Basic understanding of wholesale electricity market structures, generation economics, LMPs, congestion, and ancillary services in ISO/RTO and WECC bilateral markets.
• Hands-on, working knowledge of the NERC e-Tag system (creating, approving, adjusting, and curtailing tags) and the physical/contract path tagging process across WECC balancing authorities.
• Familiarity with OASIS for reserving, confirming, and managing transmission service.
• Basic understanding of standard bilateral trading terms (EEI Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement, WSPP Agreement).
• Familiarity with trading and scheduling systems (e.g. MCG, PowerOptix), e-Tag authoring tools, and market data platforms (e.g. OMS, CROW, CIDI).
• Strong Excel skills; comfort working with large datasets.
• Ability to make quick, well-reasoned decisions under time pressure and market volatility.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with counterparties, schedulers, transmission system operators, and balancing authorities.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Required to have passed the AEPCO Trading Qualification Card.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience can be substituted for requirements listed above.

REQUIRED FUNCTIONS

• Participate in 24-hour on-call/rotating shift coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Monitor and manage real-time power positions across assigned ISO/RTO markets (e.g., CAISO, CAISO WEIM, SPP RTOE, SPP Markets+) in compliance with market tariffs, protocols, and business practice manuals.
• Negotiate and execute physical power trades bilaterally with counterparties consistent with standard EEI/WSPP master agreement terms at western hubs and delivery points (e.g. Palo Verde, Four Corners, Mead, NP15/SP15 nodes) to optimize portfolio positions and manage imbalances.
• Continuously assess load forecasts, generation output, energy limitations (e.g. hydro allocations, emission limits, battery state-of-charge), transmission path/node congestion, and weather patterns (including snowpack and runoff) to inform trading and scheduling decisions across both market structures.
• Identify and capitalize on arbitrage opportunities between ISO/RTO nodes and western bilateral hubs/paths, and across time periods.
• Prepare, submit, and manage NERC e-Tags across WECC balancing authority areas; ensure tags are approved by all relevant BAs and transmission providers ahead of flow.
• Arrange, reserve, and manage transmission service via OASIS on key western paths, including point-to-point and network transmission requests, curtailment tracking, and redirects.
• Coordinate with generation asset operators, counterparty schedulers, and transmission teams to ensure accurate and timely fuel nominations, schedules, and e-Tags.
• Accurately input transaction and tag data into applicable software; investigate and resolve discrepancies to reconcile trade data and e-Tag records in coordination with middle office and settlements.
• Manage risk exposure within established position and credit limits-escalating issues or violations as appropriate-and collaborate with risk management, credit, and compliance teams to ensure adherence to trading policies, master agreement terms, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain detailed trading logs and support post-trade analysis and profit and loss reporting.
• Assist in training junior traders.
• Actively promote and maintain a team environment.