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-Tags.
- 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.
