Posting DetailsPosting Details
Job Title Director of Energy Systems Modeling EPIC
Requisition Number RE55299
Working TitleDepartment Name 40550:Ctr For Applied Energy Res
Work Location Lexington, KY
Grade Level 00
Salary RangeType of Position Staff
Position Time Status Full-Time
Required Education BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience 5 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification None
Physical Requirements Sitting long periods of time. Lifting objects up to 10 lbs.
Shift 8am-5pm, M-F, located in Lexington, Kentucky.
Periodic travel throughout the Commonwealth and occasional out-of-state travel for meetings and conferences is required.
Job Summary The Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) is an independent state agency created by the Kentucky General Assembly to review power plant retirements, evaluate electricity supply adequacy, and oversee statewide energy planning. EPIC is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. The Director of Energy Systems Modeling reports to the Executive Director of EPIC and serves as EPIC's senior technical leader responsible for the quantitative analysis and modeling infrastructure supporting the Kentucky Electricity Adequacy Plan (KEAP) and EPIC's broader statutory mission.
This position is responsible for developing, maintaining, and operating the analytical models EPIC relies upon to assess Kentucky's current and future electricity needs, evaluate generation and transmission adequacy, and analyze emerging large-load developments. The role is technical and internal in nature; it does not include legislative, media, or stakeholder-facing responsibilities.
A central responsibility of this role is building and running the models supporting the Kentucky Electricity Adequacy Plan (KEAP) and providing technical modeling support to EPIC's three standing technical committees: the Demand Forecasting Committee, the Primary Energy Supply Committee, and the Transmission Infrastructure Committee.
The Director of Energy Systems Modeling reports to the Executive Director of EPIC. The Director works closely with EPIC's Director of Regulatory and Economic Analysis, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and administrative staff. External coordination includes data exchange and model validation activities with Kentucky electric utilities, the Kentucky Public Service Commission, PJM, MISO, TVA, the U.S. Department of Energy, national laboratories, university researchers, and energy consultants. Legislative, media, and senior stakeholder engagement responsibilities are carried out by the Executive Director and other designated EPIC staff.
The Director works in close coordination with and under the direction of the Executive Director, who sets analytical priorities and maintains final authority over EPIC's work products and public positions.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong knowledge of electric power systems, including generation, transmission, distribution, and grid operations, as well as resource adequacy concepts, reserve margin standards, and reliability metrics applicable to electric power systems. They demonstrate proficiency with one or more energy modeling platforms, such as PLEXOS, Aurora, or comparable production cost and capacity expansion tools, and have strong quantitative data analysis skills using Python, R, SQL, or similar technologies. Familiarity with GIS platforms for spatial analysis of energy infrastructure and load data is also essential.
The candidate is able to manage complex data systems while maintaining transparent and well-documented analytical processes, and can synthesize large, complex datasets into clear, concise written products for both technical and non-technical audiences. Additionally, they possess strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent analytical workstreams and consistently meet deadlines.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities - Advanced degree in electrical engineering, energy systems, economics, public policy, or a related field.
- Professional experience with production cost modeling platforms, capacity expansion modeling, integrated resource planning (IRPs), or transmission planning studies.
- Experience modeling data center and other large-load growth scenarios on the electric system.
- Familiarity with PJM, MISO, TVA, and regional reliability and resource adequacy frameworks.
- Strong understanding of Kentucky's utility landscape and regulatory framework.
- Experience working with energy modeling teams to support regulatory or legislative presentations.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience - Significant professional experience in electric utility system modeling, resource adequacy analysis, demand forecasting, production cost modeling, or capacity expansion planning.
- Demonstrated experience working with electric utilities, regional transmission organizations, public utility commissions, energy consultants, or related organizations.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, and written communication skills, including proficiency with energy modeling software and large data sets.
- Ability to communicate complex technical and modeling concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Driver's License Preferred
Deadline to Apply 08/29/2026
