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.

Under the general direction of the Manager, performs and leads highly complex engineering projects as assigned.  Develops and improves the performance, integrity, and security of the Energy Management System (EMS) including State Estimator (SE) and associated Network Applications (real-time contingency analysis, Dispatcher Load Flow, etc.).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Technical lead to the other EMS staff in the areas of State Estimator (SE) and associated Network Applications (Real-Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA), Dispatcher Load Flow, etc.) Mentors and provides technical expertise and guidance on power flow modeling issues, software problems, data requirements and interfaces with other software applications.  Provides ongoing training to team members and coordinates other training activities as appropriate.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in the area of Advanced Applications; develops and improves the simplified bus-branch version of Network Model. Ensures proper coordination between both internal groups and external organizations involved in maintaining the Network Model.
• Maximizes Network Application and EMS uptime and mitigates system failures by troubleshooting technical problems that result from communications, equipment, or systems failures.
• Actively engages in implementing new technologies and participating in the development of standards and processes, to ensure the effective administration and maintenance of the Network Applications and EMS.
• Oversees the systems maintenance and improvement activities to support the effectiveness of the EMS. Plans and evaluates the impact of system modifications and maintenance activities.
• Provides technical and subject matter expertise and support to ISO Real-Time Operations and other departments on EMS and Network Model-related databases.

Level of Education and Discipline:

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering with Power Systems focus or related technical field.  Master’s degree is strongly desired.

Amount of Experience:

• Equivalent years of education and training, plus six (6) or more years related experience.

Type of Experience:

• Requires a combination of advanced experience in the following: 
  • designing and implementation of Energy Management Systems (EMS) and advance network applications
  • electric utility operations
  • utility/power industry, preferably in a similar ISO with market design or operations background
  • systems analysis and expansion
  • databases
  • real-time applications
  • software tools and programming concepts
  • project management in a technical environment. 
• Expert knowledge of Energy Management System operations and principles, California power generation and transmission networks and structure, and network modeling desired. 
• Power systems engineering experience preferred. 
• One or a combination of the following is required: 
  • power systems
  • EMS
  • advanced network applications
  • CIMXML
  • real-time systems
  • market operations
  • EMS
  • web services
  • Oracle
  • SQL

Additional skills and abilities:

Demonstrates fundamental leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment as a leader, facilitator and team member.  Ability to provide practical and feasible solutions to problems, keeping multiple conflicting considerations into account. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required. Excellent analytical skills are required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex technical materials and concepts in a non-technical manner.  Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work independently. Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority.

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