Day-Ahead Energy Trader

Day-Ahead Energy Trader

Salary

$141,107.20 - $198,660.80 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Non-Classified

Job Number

P0450-26A

Department

Power

Division

Power Management

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/25/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Power's Power Management group is currently looking for a Day-Ahead Energy Trader to join their team. The Day-Ahead Energy Trader is responsible for the near-term management of Tacoma Power's bulk power supply portfolio. This position balances the system load and resources in an economic and reliable manner, negotiating physical energy trades in the near-term market. The portfolio optimization duties require a variety of economic and market analysis and helps Tacoma Power prepare for industry changes such as Western Resource Adequacy Program and Southwest Power Pool's Markets+. This position directly supports our mission by optimizing our resources and wholesale revenues. This position is required to be in office 3 days per week. Bilateral trading for Tacoma begins at 5:00 A.M.

Responsibilities Include

• Develop a thorough understanding of Tacoma Power's hydroelectric resources and their power and non-power constraints. Apply this knowledge to develop day-ahead proposals that optimize these resources while taking into account hydro and price uncertainty and other risks. Collaborate with other internal stakeholders, such as our resource operations team, to vet and enhance these plans.
• Negotiate and execute physical trades of power supply products in conformance with Tacoma Power's trading guidelines and risk management policies.
• Lead and help prepare Tacoma through rigorous analysis for industry changes such as the Western Resource Adequacy Program, BPA Provider of Choice and Markets+. Lead and coordinate daily stand-up meeting briefing staff regarding day-ahead trading and strategies executed.
• Create and lead new trading strategies that can optimize Tacoma's generation portfolio. Plan and coordinate operation of generation resources and transmission facilities. Secure transmission for energy sales and purchases. Collaborate with policy analysts to develop strategies for Tacoma's carbon-free resources in compliance with State programs.
• Collaborate and strategize with operations & real-time trading staff on resource planning and market fundamentals to optimize wholesale revenues.
• Develop daily and near-term generation and interchange plans in accordance with established guidelines. Assure compliance with reliability standards and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and execute Executive Presentations on industry changes and challenges to prepare Tacoma leadership teams.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

Bachelors degree in business, economics, mathematics, engineering or related field

Minimum Experience*

3 years of experience in wholesale energy marketing/planning, quantitative analysis or related utility operations

• Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Apply

All interested individuals must apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.

Appointment is subject to references and passing a background check.

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Tacoma Power

Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, youll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $141,107.20 - $198,660.80

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your education and experience

• Bachelors degree in business, economics, mathematics, engineering or related field AND 3 years or MORE of experience.
• Bachelors degree in business, economics, mathematics, engineering or related field with LESS than 3 years of experience.
• No Bachelors degree, with 7 years or MORE of experience.
• No Bachelors degree, with LESS than 7 years of experience.

03

Describe your experience in energy markets, including experience trading wholesale energy and participating in organized energy markets.

04

Tacoma Power is facing many challenges in the coming years. What is your approach to tackling new projects, ideas and methodologies?

05

Tacoma Power is implementing several regional initiatives that will lead to fundamental changes in our business. Please describe your experience leading or participating on a team responsible for learning and implementing an innovative project.

06

One of the Citys Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe an experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

07

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Community organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• Other
• Husky Jobs
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• NWPPA
• Energy Jobs Portal

08

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer City of Tacoma

Address Human Resources Department

747 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone 253-591-5400

Website http://www.tacoma.gov