Senior Economist

Closing Date to Apply: Until Filled 

Number of Positions: 4

Salary: $78,707.20 to $142,459.20

Typically, selected candidates are hired at a salary rate between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Benefits: This link below will provide you with Grant PUD’s benefit that may be available if hired, different employee types are eligible for different benefits.

Grant PUD — Unified Insurance Program (uip-wa.org)

Grant County PUD will administer a background check as part of the hiring process.

Position Summary

Under very minimal supervision, this position will demonstrate an elevated level of understanding and knowledge of econometric modeling and economic analysis within the electric utility industry to aide Grant PUD resource allocation and provide an understanding of customer load growth. Provides excellent analysis and forecasting for Senior Management ensuring Strategic Plan objectives are met, Grant PUD maintains a strong financial position, and is able to provide long-term low rates to customers.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions:  Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Financial & Economic Analysis:

• Run scenarios on multiple model inputs and analyze options to achieve Grant PUD metric targets most efficiently.
• Provides definitive and powerful analysis and business planning tools to account for risks and opportunities within the utility’s operating environment.
• Perform ad-hoc economic and financial analytics relating to market prices, the supply of generation resources, and the customer demand for load.

Econometric Modeling & Predictive Analytics:

• Evaluates economic and operational forecasts for outcomes on specific variables such as load growth, hydro generation and river flows, market prices, etc.
• Builds and consistently updates forecasts, incorporates periodic updates to enable more accurate economic analysis and decision making for Senior Management.
• Extensively researches and builds reliable distributions through econometric methods around financial and economic forecast variables to deliver probabilistic forecasts.

Business Intelligence & Reporting:

• Develop key metrics for Senior Management and Executive team ensuring they can see the effects of their decisions.
• Communicates with potentially all Senior Managers and Executive Team effectively discussing decision recommendations, data inputs, model outcomes, and sensitivity drivers.
• Prepare metric sensitivity, forecast reports, and analyze model input data.
• Coordinates with all Grant PUD initiative and process owners that control the metrics being measured to ensure accurate analysis and forecasting.
• Facilitates the design, maintenance, and automation of business intelligence processes including recurring reports and reporting dashboards.
• Cleans and provides necessary data for analytics.
• Demonstrated commitment to Grant PUD’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan and Vision 2023.  The incumbent should be familiar with these organizational priorities and behave in a way that aligns with these expectations.
• Understand and adhere to compliance requirements for this position that may include laws, regulations, security guidelines, Grant PUD policies & procedures.

Actively participate in all aspects of our safety program, including but not limited to:

• Following all safety policies and procedures;
• Alerting supervisors and coworkers to unsafe or hazardous working conditions;
• Reporting any safety incidents or close calls within 24 hours to your supervisor; and
• Accepting feedback from supervisors and coworkers regarding your own safety performance.

Education and Experience

Required

• Master's degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Public Administration or similar field and two years work experience.

Preferred

• Multiple Master’s Degrees or a PhD but may be substituted with desired experience.
• Five years’ experience in electric power industry with a strong analytical background in economic, statistical, financial, or quantitative areas.

License and Certification

Required 

• A valid State driver's license with no restrictions.

 Preferred

• Any certificates or designations such as CFA, FRM, or others relevant to this position.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• At least three of the following: Graduate-level training with 2 years' work experience in Financial Analysis, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Operations Theory, Public Policy Economics,
• At least seven of the following: advanced experience in Econometric modeling, Time Series Analysis, Bayesian Analysis, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, R or Matlab or Python, Structured Query Language (SQL), Probabilistic Modeling, Machine Learning Modeling, Nodal Network Modeling,
• Skill in exercising good judgement and making well informed decisions under pressure; written and oral interpersonal communication for internal and external audiences; identifying and analyzing potential problems with limited data and advising stakeholders on how to proceed; workflow and time management; creative thinking and problem solving; utilizing MS office products, custom financial and reporting software, tools, and applications.

Physical Requirements

• Position may be eligible for hybrid work arrangement: ☒Yes ☐No 
• Per Grant County PUD policy all employees are required to work at their designated headquarters at least two days per week. 
• Majority of work is performed in a standard office setting.
• Some field work that may require operation of a vehicle.
• Typical shift of employees in this position: ☒8 hours ☐9 hours  ☐10 hours  ☐12 hours

*For a full list of requirements, the applicant/incumbent should refer to the Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE).

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas.