Applied Scientist - Energy Operations Optimization

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.Seattle City Light’s Resource Planning & Analysis unit is looking for an Applied Scientist – Energy Operations Optimization (Strategic Advisor 2). This role will act as a subject matter expert in modeling and analyzing City Light’s power supply portfolio to meet the current and future electric needs of the City of Seattle. This position will work on the Resource Planning & Analysis team to plan for our customers’ near- and long-term energy and capacity needs in order to meet reliability, environmental, and risk management goals. This role will act as a technical lead, collaborating with others on the Resource Planning & Analysis team to produce the utility’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and will help develop and perform modeling related to the Demand-Side Management Potential Assessment (DSMPA).This position will report to the Manager of Resource Planning & Analysis.Here is more about what you’ll be doing : This position leads and performs complex modeling and analysis including the development of weather-driven renewable energy resource forecasts / datasets, economic dispatch, and capacity expansion optimization models. These models will be used both for valuing, planning, and marketing City Light’s existing resources, which include cascading hydro plants and wind energy resource contracts, as well as for evaluating new renewable energy and carbon-free resources for potential acquisition, such as short- and long-term battery storage, solar PV plants, and enhanced geothermal, among others. The successful candidate will demonstrate effective leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. If you enjoy creative problem solving and building / using models to identify cost-effective and environmentally responsible electric utility resource choices and operating strategies, we want to hear from you.Duties of this position include : Design, build, and execute computational models to determine the value of electric power supply to meet Seattle City Light’s electricity demand.Employ state-of-the-art algorithms and techniques to model portfolio energy, capacity, and transmission resources to meet business needs and plan for the operation of power supply resources under uncertainty.Model optimized hydroelectric and battery storage and discharge plans for long-term portfolio evaluation, mid-term portfolio management, and dispatch in structured markets.Research, model, and analyze the value energy and power capacity of new energy projects and technologies for potential acquisition by the utility.Support scoping, design, and development of studies, simulations, and reports on the ability of City Light’s power supply portfolio to cost-effectively and reliably meet its demand on all planning horizons.Provide technical leadership in defining, developing, testing, deploying, maintaining, and updating planning and decision-making tools.Research and provide technical consultation on price formation policies for existing and emerging regional electric markets.Coordinate with teams across the utility including power marketing, risk management, financial planning, customer energy solutions, engineering, and operations staff.Develop summaries and reports to help explain analyses to key decision makers, as well as to technical and general audiences.Create documentation and procedures for business continuity.Present and depict the rationale of findings in easy-to-understand terms for senior management and external stakeholders.Lead, design, and supervise studies for assigned projects and coordinate job tasks as needed.Perform other related duties of a comparable level / type as assigned.Required Qualifications : In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has : A combination of education and / or training, and / or experience that provides an equivalent background to perform the work of the class.Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, or related quantitative field plus five years of experience related to integrated resource planning, operations research, weather-driven variable energy resource modeling, electric resource dispatch optimization, production cost modeling, capacity expansion modeling, energy market design, and / or quantitative analysis, orMaster's Degree in Data Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, or related quantitative field plus four years of experience related to integrated resource planning, operations research, weather-driven variable energy resource modeling, electric resource dispatch optimization, production cost modeling, capacity expansion modeling, energy market design, and / or quantitative analysis, orDoctorate in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, or related quantitative field plus one year of experience with applied research related to energy operations research, energy dispatch optimization, production cost modeling, or electricity market design.Desired Qualifications : At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you’re reading. Even if you don't feel that you meet every single desired qualification, we still encourage you to apply. We're eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.Knowledge of : Modeling energy and capacity operations and marketingModeling weather-driven renewable energy resources (e.g. performing wind or solar energy assessments)Battery storage and dispatch optimizationLong-term electric resource planning models used in integrated resource planning, such as capacity expansion models, production cost models, and reliability assessment modelsExperience in : Mathematical modeling and / or optimization for decision making under uncertaintyBuilding optimization models and implementing them with optimization tools (e.g. CPLEX, Gurobi, XPRESS)Expertise in : Optimization (e.g. linear, non-linear, mixed-integer, large-scale, network, robust, stochastic)Designing and supporting large-scale optimization systems in a production environmentStatistical evaluation of risk and uncertaintyProficiency in using : Modern programming languages like Python, R, or JuliaProductivity software like Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power PointRelational databases, especially those using structured query languages (SQL)Proficiency in : Designing studies, numerical experiments, and secondary researchEnergy systems modelingAbility to : Communicate complex issues to both technical audiences and the publicManage shifting priorities well and to think strategically about the problems faced by City LightCreative problem-solving skillsExcellent teamwork and communication skillsComfortable working with policymakers and stakeholders from varied backgroundsPlease note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.The full salary range for this position is $52.50 to $78.78 per hour.Application Process : Please submit the following with your online application : A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.Incomplete applications may not be considered.Who May Apply : This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA , people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at : https : / / www.seattle.gov / human-resources / benefits / employees-and-covered-family-members / most-employees-plans .Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page : http : / / www.seattle.gov / light / .#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary : $53 - $79