Sr. Risk Analyst

at  Avista Corporation

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible for the identification and reporting of risks associated with Energy Supply strategies to manage resources and transactions that result in increased market presence and value. Develops, implements and maintains sophisticated analytic tools to provide technical guidance to management for evaluation of hedging and optimization strategies and execution of significant power and natural gas transactions. Prepares and analyzes daily risk management reports, works closely with energy traders and marketers to incorporate short-term market risks into risk management strategy. Identifies industry, market, regulatory, and other changes requiring business process and system changes in support of risk management, credit and related business operations. Proposes and advocates for adoption of solutions.

REQUIREMENTS

• BA or BS in Accounting, Finance, Mathematics or Economics or a related field is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must have an advanced background and/or knowledge in systems and statistical analysis.
• Skilled in using computers and related software applications.
• Effective analytical skills.
• Basic working knowledge of power and natural gas products and services, renewable energy, wholesale markets/customer needs, and power, transmission and natural gas system operations preferred.

Risk Analyst III:

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience.
• This work draws upon and requires considerable working knowledge of the fundamental theories, principles and terminology of quantitative analysis, commodity trading, electronic systems, accounting, financial analysis, statistical methods, and utility operations.
• Ability to work independently, may provide day to day guidance and mentoring to less experience staff.

Sr. Risk Analyst:

• Minimum of 7 years of related experience.
• This work draws upon and requires an advanced demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental theories, principles and terminology of quantitative analysis, commodity trading, electronic systems, accounting, financial analysis, statistical methods, and utility operations.
• Advanced knowledge and experience working with market risk and financial risk analysis, electronic systems development, correlation and regression analysis, commodity option sensitivity analysis and concepts such as Value at Risk (VaR) required.
• Demonstrates knowledge leadership and team leadership skills both within the department and externally.
• Ability to work independently, may provide day to day guidance and mentoring to less experience staff.
• Advanced level of technical expertise, initiative, ownership, accountability, and independent decision-making skills.
• Advanced level of leadership, which can be demonstrated through directing the work of others, leading projects and/or processes, being the official or unofficial team lead.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in power and natural gas analysis, market risk and financial risk analysis, electronic systems development, correlation and regression analysis is preferred.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee’s various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.
Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click “Submit”.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

• Identify, build, and implement analytic tools to support analysis of risks for Energy Resources.
• Assists with coordination of enhancements and maintaining the electronic data capture of wholesale operations and transactions (i.e. risk management and other business systems); provides oversight for daily updates of forward price curves and market volatility.
• Develops and implements sophisticated analytic tools, procedures, and processes utilizing computer systems, software and/or other technology necessary to validate optimization of the company’s electric generation, gas supply resources and transmission resources. These processes provide technical guidance to management to evaluate hedging and optimization strategies and execution of significant power and natural gas transactions.
• Develops procedures and processes necessary for assessment and reporting of changes in physical and financial commodity positions to management. This position effectively communicates with management and regulatory commissions regarding the operation and use of such technical tools.
• Develops appropriate policies regarding risk and data capture related to wholesale operations and transactions to manage risk exposures. Takes steps necessary to assure that risk policies are maintained.
• Provide technical support and work with users and developers to identify system enhancements and develop or enhance electronic systems to meet business needs. Perform phases of system development including requirements gathering, analysis, design, construction, and testing. Assists in setting strategic direction for related electronic systems.
• Presents power and gas risk mitigation plans to internal and external stakeholders including senior leadership, commission members and other external agencies.
• Develops processes and procedures necessary for Energy Supply resource budgeting, key business variance reporting for management, assessment and reporting of changes in physical and financial power and gas supply positions to management as well as reporting of changes to business risks related to power resource management to leadership.
• Demonstrates a higher level of initiative and leadership with regard to the identification of strategic issues as well as competence in development and implementation of plans necessary to acquire, optimize and manage electric power supply, transmission, and renewable energy credit resources.
• Assists in understanding, analyzing, and incorporating requirements of long-term contracts into risk systems/models.