Lead Protection Engineer (Hybrid)

  • Full-time

Company Description

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 "keeping the lights on" 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 hybrid remote schedule (3 days in our beautiful Folsom campus, 2 days working from home). Relocation assistance is available.

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Manager, Transmission Assets, works on complex assignments and acts as the technical expert in protection engineering to the CAISO and external stakeholders.  Ensures the ISO is in compliance with the Transmission Control Agreement (TCA) and applicable NERC and WECC standards.  Responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the ISO Transmission Maintenance Standards with respect to protection systems operations and maintenance.  Supports the ISO planning process phase three competitive solicitation process.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Provide expert protection engineering consulting to internal work groups and external entities as requested. Provide mentoring and engineering support to engineering, operating, and others within the CAISO.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Support: Be a knowledgeable expert on the components of the TCA, TCA appendices and Maintenance Procedures that pertain to system protection. Ensure the CAISO is in compliance with the TCA. Make recommendations to improve CAISO performance as appropriate. Provide technical support and assist in NERC and WECC audits and / or investigations. Provide technical support to ensure compliance with NERC or WECC Standards related to system protection, e.g. PRC-001, PRC-023, etc. Provide the ISO with technical expertise and advice regarding protection policies in the development of new WECC or NERC Standards. Review generator control and interconnection protection documents for compliance with ISO and NERC requirements.
  • Participating Transmission Owner (PTO) Maintenance Reviews: Analyze the recent PTO equipment forced outage statistics and select and document substations for inclusion in the annual PTO maintenance review. Review the recent operation and forced outages of PTO RAS/SPS systems, and select and document the RAS/SPS for inclusion in the annual PTO maintenance review. Participate in the protection and station equipment portions of the PTO maintenance review, which includes a detailed records review and also site visits. Review and provide support for on-going maintenance activities as requested. Assist PTOs as necessary in their effort to improve their performance following completion of a maintenance review. Assist PTOs as necessary to support their effort to update their filed maintenance practices.
  • Database Management: Maintain the Transmission Line Protection database. This database is required to support NERC and WECC audits and investigations by providing rapid access to documentation verifying compliance with protection related Standards. Maintain the Participating Generator Protection database. This database contains under and over frequency protection data, and identifies compliance with NERC PRC-006 and the WECC's Off Nominal Frequency schedule. Update the PTO's transmission line protection data as necessary to demonstrate compliance with applicable NERC Standards.
  • Adheres to the corporate records management policies, procedures and guidelines, including the records retention schedule. Maintains records using approved corporate tools. Utilizes available records training resources when needed. Participates in records management related initiatives, as necessary.
  • Provides expertise and joint oversight in implementing the CAISO Transmission Planning Process Phase III competitive solicitation process. Provide support for the TPP-BPM whenever change management revisions occur in the Phase 3 competitive solicitation sections of that BPM.

Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline:  A bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering/Electrical Power Engineering.  Master Degree preferred.

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

Certifications: Professional Engineering license preferred.

Type of Experience: Experience with high voltage transmission systems and associated equipment protection, operations and maintenance. Experience with California or other WECC transmission grids highly desired. Experience in evaluating and reviewing technical proposals to construct, own, and operate transmission assets desired. Must be proficient in standard office computer applications including MS Word, MS Access and MS Excel. Experience or ability to learn and use other software applications.

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 and the ability to influence others without direct authority. 

 

 

 

Additional Information

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