Director of Resource Planning & Risk

Position Summary

Incumbent is responsible for leading all aspects of the Resource Planning and Energy Risk Management processes at the district and has independent decision-making authority.  This includes but is not limited to decision-making and strategic planning for the following processes: Load Forecasting, Integrated Resource Planning, and Production Cost Modeling.  This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and has a dotted line reporting relationship to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The position provides the analysis and explanations to support critical strategic business decisions involving NPPD’s resource / generation portfolio, long-term Power Purchase Agreements, capacity sales and purchases, the impact of regulatory requirements that affect NPPD’s resource adequacy and product offerings, and alignment and understanding of NPPD’s risk exposure before and after mitigation efforts and development of policies for appropriate cash reserves.

The incumbent interfaces with The Energy Authority (TEA) on analysis and decisions regarding energy market risk and related matters and supports the Energy Market Strategies Team in analyzing the risks associated with capacity & market transactions, along with verifying sufficient resources are available for such transactions. 

This position participates on the Risk Oversight Committee (ROC) which addresses overall risks of the District including energy market risks, fuel  and other matters and review and approval of appropriate management of risk exposures.  The incumbent leads a team responsible for managing the District’s Resource Adequacy need, and creation of the Load Forecast and Production Model (key input into forecasting and budgeting at the District). This position may participate in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Supply Adequacy Working Group. Incumbent may have direct interfaces with, and possible technical presentations to, the District’s board of Directors, District customers, executive management and the Nebraska Power Review Board.

Education, Training and Experience

BS in engineering, finance, business or economics, or related field, plus five to ten years utility management experience. Master’s degree in a technical or business field is preferred.

A high degree of knowledge of analytical and risk-based modeling is desired as well as the ability to lead a team performing complex analytical modeling.
 

Demonstrated project management and team leadership experience are essential. Demonstrated strategic planning and business objective development experience preferred. Previous experience in risk management, power generation, energy market development, finance, planning, or rates development is preferred.

Licenses and/or Certifications

None

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Load Forecasting – Creates a District-wide load forecast used in strategic planning, financial planning & resource planning by utilizing different econometric techniques, such as a top down and bottom-up approaches as needed to provide a high-quality load forecast.  Results include forecasted peaks and energy requirements for resource planning and billing purposes, along with determining the associated revenue from our wholesale and retail customers. These load forecasts are critical to establishing Resource Adequacy requirements, transmission expansion plans per SPP requirements and long-term scenario planning.

Resource Planning – Support development of an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to meet the District’s load & resource adequacy obligations in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).  Manage the process to provide SPP with information on the District’s load and resources.  Interface with outside organizations, such as the Nebraska Power Association and SPP, and this position could include providing testimony when necessary to the Nebraska Power Review Board with regards to resource planning and new resource additions.  Conduct ad hoc studies for specific resource planning needs to support decision-making by the executive team and Board of Directors. Interface with and communicate complex information to NPPD’s Board of Directors and customers in ways that support effective and efficient feedback and decision-making on critical issues.

Resource Adequacy - Ensure the successful submittal of all information and documentation to satisfy NPPD’s seasonal Resource Adequacy Requirements at SPP, including the resolution of any noted deficiencies prior to the upcoming season. Create and maintain a long-term projection of NPPD’s capacity surplus/(deficit) accounting for load growth, resource accreditation, resource additions, firm and deliverable capacity purchases & sales, demand response programs and resources, and future policy impacts under development. Collaborate with peers on the Nebraska Power Association Statewide Load & Capability report and provide support and explanation for the presentation of the report at the Nebraska Power Review Board. Advocate for NPPD in matters of external policymaking that affect the District’s Resource Adequacy position, including unit accreditation, demand response policy and accreditation, load forecasting methodologies and accountability. 

Production Cost Modeling – Provide accurate production cost modeling results of projected energy, sales, purchases, and costs associated with NPPD’s participation in the SPP Integrated Market to support the requirements of the Financial Planning and Pricing, Rates, & Wholesale Departments.  Perform what-if and other scenario modeling as requested, including long-term production modeling in support of NPPD’s 30-year Power Plan Interface with and communicate complex information to NPPD’s Board of Directors and customers in ways that support effective and efficient feedback and decision-making on critical issues.

ROC – Develop agendas and chair meetings as a non-voting chair of the ROC.  The ROC oversees Strategic Risk, Energy Market Risk, Nuclear Risk, and other risks as identified by the committee.  Take a lead role on desired actions and analysis as determined by the ROC.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (Continued)

Support advocacy with SPP to ensure the interests of NPPD and other Load Responsible Entities (LREs) are appropriately considered in the policy-making process.  Support communication on the impacts of policymaking at SPP in these matters to the affected internal work groups, the executive team, Board of Directors, and customers to ensure alignment and understanding. 

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies