| Summary Description: Under direction, performs utility bill payments and analysis for MCPS with the objective of accurate bill payment and minimizing annual utility costs. The Utility Analyst is responsible for the financial oversight, data integrity, and consumption analysis of the school system’s multi-million-dollar utility portfolio. This portfolio includes electricity, natural gas, solar, heating fuels, water, and sewer services across all district facilities. Procurement duties include serving as a technical expert in the procurement of complex, deregulated utility supplies; monitoring legal and financial requirements for Request for Proposals and contracts with attorneys who represent both MCPS and vendors. Serves as MCPS representative at meetings of various load aggregation groups; prepares information on historic utility use of MCPS facilities for aggregation analysis; manages utility bids and administers contracts. Monitors markets and advises on locking in utility rates at favorable levels to manage risk. Budgeting and accounting duties include technical support of the utility database, with integrated electronic bill submittal and payment systems; management of updates and problems resulting from deregulation and changing suppliers; review and resolution of questionable bills; authorization of service start or stop at individual facilities; set up of new accounts in the database; preparation of annual budgets and monthly tracking reports; and continuous coordination of rate forecasts with the Interagency Group on Energy and Utility Management. Operating duties include development and production of periodic energy reports; monitoring and coordinating investigation of high-usage alerts; management of delivery problems; and publication of related procedural flyers. Participates in department strategic planning and develops and maintains related energy performance measures.
Physical Demands: None.
Special Requirements: None. |
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Skill in analyzing Requests For Proposals and bid quotations and in making recommendations concerning the awarding of contracts. Excellent ability to write and review Request for Proposal (RFP) bid specifications for utility services to enhance competition, and to evaluate and analyze all offerings submitted by suppliers to ensure bid specifications and objectives are met. Ability to express ideas well, orally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills are needed to present oneself effectively and professionally when dealing with supplier representatives, Montgomery County Public Schools employees, and other governmental agencies. Expert user of LAN, email systems, and Microsoft Office applications, especially database, spreadsheet, and internet applications. Possesses the ability and willingness to continuously learn new skills and technology. Must possess the knowledge, thoroughness, and diligence of character necessary to maintain database integrity for a complex utility accounting system. Requires fluency in relational database manipulation and development, including creation of custom queries, new reports, and the import/export of data from spreadsheets. Detailed knowledge of deregulated commercial utility bill formats and information. Practical knowledge of energy performance measurement and indices for schools. Skill at detecting and investigating unusual utility usage in facilities. Skill at strategic planning and the continuous improvement of business processes. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, advanced formulas) and experience working with utility/energy management databases. Proficient in enterprise content management systems, with hands-on experience publishing content within Optimizely (formerly Episerver) CMS. Requires knowledge of the EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager to assist in benchmarking school buildings to target energy efficiency. Knowledge of utility interval data monitoring programs and investigative tools. Exceptional eye for detail; ability to spot patterns, anomalies, and errors in dense financial and volumetric data. Must be an excellent manager of time, with the capability to define priorities. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS). |
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Education, Training, Experience: Bachelor's degree required with a major in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Analytics, or a related field. Extensive training in computers, office automation, and database management preferred. Specific experience with the Energy CAP utility bill payment system is preferred. Minimum of one year of experience in procurement of deregulated natural gas or electricity. Minimum of two years’ experience detecting, investigating and reducing high-energy use alarms in facilities. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered. Certificate License: None |
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Example Duties:1. Responsible for the financial management, data integrity, and consumption analysis of the school system’s utility portfolio, including electricity, natural gas, solar energy, heating fuels, water, and sewer services for all district facilities.2. Generates monthly, quarterly, and annual utility consumption reports highlighting trends, anomalies, and cost-per-square-foot metrics across different school tiers (elementary, middle, high). 3. Represents the department at meetings where utility procurement action is necessary and represents the department director when requested. 4. Administers utility contracts. 5. Generates and provides energy consumption and demand data for internal monitoring, measurement, and verification. 6. Maintains the district’s utility bill payment and tracking database (e.g., EnergyCAP or EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager), ensuring all monthly bills are uploaded, categorized, and accurate. 7. Regularly collaborates with external utility bill payment vendors such as Energy CAP to ensure utility bills are accurate and paid on time.8. Responsible for the enrollment and termination of utility accounts to Energy CAP; electric, natural gas, water, and fuels utilities; energy suppliers such as WGL and Constellation. 9. Tracks and authorizes the start or stop of utility services at individual facilities based on planned construction dates; sets up new accounts in the utility bill payment programs such as Energy CAP. 10. Reviews complex commercial bills for electricity, natural gas, and water across hundreds of meters. Identifies billing errors, incorrect rate structures, tax exemptions, or unusual utility consumption.11. Provides technical support and resolves problems with systems for electronic bill entry and generation of payment checks. 12. Manages updates and resolves billing problems resulting from deregulation and changing suppliers, e.g., combined billing formats and changes in rate structures. 13. Opens, tracks, and resolves billing disputes directly with local delivery companies and third-party suppliers to secure refunds or credits.14. Prepares the annual utility budget request and generates monthly tracking reports to forecast year-end surplus/ deficits in utilities. 15. Forecasts utility rates and maintains continuous coordination of rate forecasts with the Interagency Group on Energy and Utility Management. 16. Develops and produces periodic energy reports as feedback to the energy resources team for evaluation and planning of energy management activities, energy CIP projects, and Green Schools initiatives. 17. Monitors monthly utility bills and online meters for high-usage alarms and investigates through the Sustainability Project Managers and Sustainability Specialists. 18. Generates monthly utility consumption reports and updates the department website.19. Participates in department strategic planning and develops and maintains related energy performance measures.20. Continuously researches, recommends, and assists in overall procurement strategies to minimize utility contract costs for MCPS.21. Assists leadership in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for energy procurement by compiling historical usage data, load profiles, and market research.22. Represents MCPS at meetings related to utilities; prepares information on historic utility use and demand of MCPS facilities for aggregation analysis and bid documents. 23. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position. |
