New

Energy Systems / PLEXOS Modeler 2 or 3

NW Natural
parental leave, paid holidays, sick time, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, Oregon, Portland
Mar 05, 2025
Energy Systems / PLEXOS Modeler 2 or 3 Non-Union Position Strategic Planning Staff; Portland,Oregon (US-OR) Hybrid scheduleavailablefor Oregon & Washington residents. Regular FT Posting # 5208 About Us: At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve.Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry. In addition to environmental stewardship, We're also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility. The Role: This position plays a key role in shaping the future of NW Natural as we seek to evaluate and optimize our resource planning through rigorous scenario and sensitivity modeling. In this role, you would use your knowledge of PLEXOS to be responsible for developing and maintaining PLEXOS models for near and long-term planning and operations, along with analyzing various aspects of our natural gas system and to inform strategic decision making. Aspects of this positions would include updating demand forecasts, developing resource cost assumptions, capacity expansion modeling, environmental compliance resource modeling, incorporating gas price hedging strategies, and storage inventory valuation. This position would be part of the Integrated Resource Team and involves strategic collaboration with other departments such as Customer Life Cycle, Engineering, Regulatory and others to ensure accurate and efficient modeling of our system, an understanding of the inputs and outputs, and providing expert insights to drive decision making. This position also would leverage your communication skills to present and communicate complex analyses to nontechnical audience in an effective manner. Day to Day: Lead the development and maintenance of complex PLEXOS models for natural gas planning and operations. Ensure model quality and efficiency through benchmarking results to historical costs. Conduct advanced scenario analysis and optimization to support strategic decision-making. Collaborate with engineering, operations, and finance teams to gather data and validate model inputs. Analyze model outputs and provide expert recommendations to enhance system performance. Mentor and guide junior modelers and analysts. Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in energy modeling and optimization. Prepare and present detailed reports and findings to senior management and stakeholders. Contributes technical analyses to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and other reports as needed including preparing graphics and presentations in Technical Working Groups and other public meetings. Evaluates equity considerations and supports environmental justice initiatives with technical analyses. Come on your first day with: Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline (Economics, Statistics, Math, Operations Research, Computer Science or similar field) and 3+ years in relevant technical discipline. Master's degree and additional years' experience required for level 3. Extensive experience with PLEXOS modeling software or other constrained optimization nodal models, such as Aurora, Promod, or SENDOUT. Experience with Aurora and other Energy Exemplar products preferred Highly proficient in SAS/Stata/R or other statistical programming applications. Proven ability to apply econometric modeling, data mining, Monte Carlo simulation, or other data analytical skills. Experience in a regulated utility environment, utility demand forecasting, or energy system planning preferred. Effective verbal communication skills on an individual and group presentation basis, including negotiation and facilitation skills and techniques. Experience creating compelling presentations using data visualization software and PowerPoint. Demonstrated ability to be self-managed, organize time/projects and apply skills in problem solving and decision-making, as well as the ability to facilitate and coordinate projects, resources and personnel. Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. Eagerness to accept and complete challenging and dynamic work. Certified energy manager and/or certified measurement & verification professional preferred. What we offer: Health & Wellness - Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution Free access to an online wellness resources platform Work Life Balance - Up to 23 Vacation Days 80 Hours of Sick Time 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays Flexible work arrangements 3 weeks paid parental leave Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women's Network and many other Employee Resource Groups 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room Financial - Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary Competitive 401K company contribution and match 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement Wellness incentive program Discounts - 20% off natural gas service Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center TriMet Pass for all HQ employees Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless Base salary range:$79,500.00 - $109,100.00 (Level 2) or$96,000.00-$136,800.00(Level 3) per year, depending on qualifications Annual Target Incentive: Level 2,9.5% target Level 3, 9.5% target Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% - 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout. Application Process:To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website. https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers Deadline:3/18/25 Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. All applications must be submitted through NW Natural's Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application. NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates' diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341. NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.