Sr Resource Adequacy Operations Engineer

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently—managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own—making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety, and work/life integration of it employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a on-site, remote, or hybrid schedule. 

Relocation Assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Manager, responsible for the development and implementation of advanced applications to facilitate the processes within Operations Engineering Services. This includes, but is not limited to, Resource Outage Coordination and Resource Adequacy processes. Participates in engineering activities related to resource adequacy and the creation and maintenance of technical documents related to Operations Planning, Outage Coordination, and resource adequacy processes. Provides expertise and performs engineering studies to ensure the ISO maintains sufficient resource capacity at all times, in order to meet applicable reliability criteria. Provides technical training and guidance to department staff. Participates in applicable CAISO policy initiatives and other public and industry forums. Provides the Manager engineering analysis and advice on the state of the grid and future operational challenges. Serves as SME for the Wheel Through Priority process at CAISO. Responsible for maintaining and updating Operations Engineering Services department related Business Practice Manuals (BPMs) and ensuring compliance with the CAISO tariff.

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Ensures the day to day Resource Adequacy program is meeting the program requirements per the ISO tariff and BPMs. Provides ISO management and other external entities with information and training on the resource adequacy program as needed. Provides engineering analysis, guidance, and expertise within the division and other divisions in the CAISO regarding Resource Adequacy processes, challenges, and other reliability issues.
• Works independently with minimal oversight from the Manager to deliver technical engineering guidance and support to System Operators, Operations Engineers, Client Relations representatives, Market Operations staff and interfaces with Market settlements. Provides technical support to other departments within the ISO as needed. Serves as a SME and partners with technology, policy, and legal to develop and implement advanced applications that facilitate accurate and efficient processes within Operations Engineering Services group.
• Serves as a SME for the Wheel Through Priority process at CAISO. Ensures the day to day Wheel Through Priority function is meeting the program requirements per the tariff and BPMs based on understanding the end-to-end process. Responsible for running power flow engineering studies annually, and monthly, as needed, and coordinating with other departments to ensure the Transmission Reliability Margin is sufficient in meeting the system needs. Participates in annual stakeholder call to discuss the findings of the analysis.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating Operations Engineering Services department related Business Practice Manuals and ensuring compliance with the CAISO tariff. Documents, communicates and recommends remedies and improvements to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the resource adequacy processes as appropriate. Maintains knowledge of current and future market policies and develops business strategies and plans for implementation of policies. Develops business metrics to monitor and communicate the progress and health of the Resource Adequacy program. Takes initiative in acquiring advanced skills in novel energy technologies, advanced operating tools and methodologies.
• Analyzes current programs and methods, recommends, develops, implements and documents automated computer programs and other advanced methods to facilitate and increase efficiency and accuracy of the Resource Adequacy processes and associated data, and other department processes as directed by management. Works directly with technology team to implement program improvements and optimal program design.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering. Focus in Power Systems preferred.

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus five (5) or more years related experience.

Type of Experience

Electric utility industry experience including a combination of the following: Resource Adequacy, Transmission Reservations, Operations Engineering, Planning, Design, Operations, electricity market, Energy Management Systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems, or equivalent relevant experience. Experience with California electric transmission grid or other WECC systems. Experience with performing engineering studies and analysis. Power industry consulting experience helpful but not required. Experience developing business requirements and processes to support the design and implementation of complex, integrated IT systems is preferred. Experience performing work associated with an independent system operator (ISO) organization in operations, or equivalent experience is desirable.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority. Advanced skills in data processing preferred; knowledge and proficiency in use of SQL or similar query applications preferred.

The pay range for the Sr Resource Adequacy Operations Engineer is $47.89 - $79.81 per hour.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.