Real Time Trader II-III

Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives; Benson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Generation and Transmission Cooperatives seeks a Real-Time Trader II to manage short-term power positions across ISO/RTO markets and WECC bilateral trades. You will optimize generation and load positions, negotiate trades, and arrange transmission service in WECC networks.

The role requires rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, with strong analytical and communication skills to work with counterparties, schedulers, and balancing authorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field is preferred.
• 2–3 years of experience in real-time or short-term power trading, scheduling, or transmission operations in ISO/RTO or WECC markets.
• Basic understanding of wholesale electricity market structures, LMPs, congestion, and ancillary services in ISO/RTO and WECC markets.
• Hands-on knowledge of the NERC e-Tag system and tagging processes across WECC balancing authorities.
• Familiarity with OASIS for transmission service reservations and management.
• Understanding of EEI Master PPA and WSPP agreements.
• Familiarity with trading/scheduling systems (MCG, PowerOptix), e-Tag authoring tools, and market data platforms (OMS, CROW, CIDI).
• Strong Excel skills and ability to handle large datasets.
• Ability to make quick, well-reasoned decisions under pressure and market volatility.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 24-hour on-call/rotating shift coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Monitor real-time positions across ISO/RTO markets (CAISO, CAISO WEIM, SPP) and bilateral WECC markets.
• Negotiate and execute physical power trades bilaterally to optimize portfolio positions and manage imbalances.
• Assess load forecasts, generation output, transmission constraints, and weather patterns to inform trading decisions.
• Identify arbitrage opportunities between ISO/RTO nodes and WECC bilateral hubs.
• Prepare and manage NERC e-Tags across WECC balancing authority areas.
• Arrange and manage transmission service via OASIS on western paths.
• Coordinate with generation operators and schedulers to ensure accurate fuel nominations and schedules.
• Input transaction and tag data into software; resolve discrepancies in coordination with middle office.
• Manage risk within position and credit limits; collaborate with risk/credit/compliance teams.
• Maintain detailed trading logs and support post-trade P&L analysis.
• Assist in training junior traders and promote a team environment.

Skills

Real-time power trading

Market analysis

Excel

Data analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making under pressure

Time management

NERC e-Tag system

Education

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

Tools

MCG

PowerOptix

OMS

CROW

CIDI

OASIS

e-Tag tools

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-Tag records.
• 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.