Overview
The Technical Analyst - Balancing Authority provides analytical leadership for SPP's Balancing Authority functions across real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking horizons. The role is responsible for advanced analysis, studies, and operational data evaluation to support reliability obligations, performance metrics, and accuracy in interchange processes. Analysts evaluate how market outcomes, dispatch decisions, interchange schedules, and system conditions translate into actual system performance, identifying discrepancies and ensuring defensible results. This includes performing operational and market studies, supporting checkout accuracy, and developing analytical methods and tools to enhance visibility into system performance.
The position serves as a subject matter expert for metrics such as CPS1, BAAL, ACE, and interchange validation, while maintaining strong knowledge of applicable SPP Tariff provisions, NAESB standards, and operating practices. The analyst contributes to SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, working groups, and task forces, and partners across Operations, Markets, Compliance, and Reliability functions. Depending on level, the role provides mentorship, technical leadership, and independent decision support in both real-time and after-the-fact analysis.
Core Responsibilities
Lead or provide analytical support for Balancing Authority operations across real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking horizons
Monitor, analyze, and support performance related to NERC Balancing Authority metrics including CPS1 and BAAL, identifying performance drivers and recommending corrective actions
Evaluate how market outcomes, dispatch decisions, and interchange schedules translate into actual system performance
Perform operational and market studies to assess generation capacity, interchange capability, and system flexibility
Develop, validate, and analyze operational data including meter data and interchange values
Request, collect, prepare, and validate operational data and investigate discrepancies between interchange checkout values and meter data
Recommend actions necessary to maintain resource availability, control ACE, and support compliance with reliability standards
Develop and enhance analytical tools, models, SQL queries, and internal processes
Conduct post-event and performance analysis to benchmark results and implement improvements
Maintain knowledge of the SPP Tariff, market rules, NAESB standards, and operating procedures
Ensure compliance with SPP policies and procedures and applicable NERC and FERC standards
Contribute to or lead SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces
Provide technical expertise, mentorship, and training to operators and analysts depending on level
Lead or support special projects and cross-functional initiatives
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in mathematics, economics, engineering, or other related field
Level-Specific Qualifications
Senior Technical Analyst - BA
6 years of job-related experience with at least three (3) years of industry experience
Lead Technical Analyst - BA
12 years job-related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Electric utility industry experience
An emphasis on power system analysis and electric utility operations
An advanced degree
NERC Certification (Lead level only)
Other Requirements
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Effective communication with Operators, SPP stakeholders, and senior management
Strong inter-personal and teamwork skills
Documented experience in power system engineering, operations engineering, transmission planning, or related disciplines
Focus on continuous improvement, efficiency, collaboration, and adherence to SPP Core Values
Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
Availability for after-hours callout and on-call
Southwest Power Pool Inc.
415 N McKinley
Little Rock
Arkansas United States
www.spp.org
