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

Under the general direction of the Manager, NERC Operations and Planning Compliance, responsible for the end-to-end change management, development, and implementation support of state and federal laws.  Accountable for activities related to compliance, documentation, verification, monitoring and reporting related to the compliance of the assigned area(s) of responsibility.  Leverages real-time operations tools to analyze events, perform investigations, and test internal controls functionality

What You Will Be Doing:

• Responsible for the end-to-end change management, development, and implementation support of compliance with state and federal laws for assigned area(s) of responsibility (NERC, WECC, Tariff, NAESB, etc.),. Evaluates compliance with the federal and state laws, and prepares reports and advice regarding the ISO’s status, mitigation plans, and accomplishments related to compliance with requirements for assigned area(s) of responsibility.  Responsible for performing annual reviews of evidence, Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), and internal controls that support compliance with NERC Operations and Planning Reliability Standards.  Facilitates ISO readiness for any periodic re-certifications required..
• Responsible for ensuring internal controls are updated and maintained current by performing control reviews during all routine compliance activities, including but not limited to self-certification reviews, compliance assessments, reliability standards implementation, and controls monitoring activities.  Responsible for implementation of controls monitoring program to proactively test and validate controls in assigned area(s) of responsibility. Capable of accessing operational tools and databases to independently test and validate performance of internal controls.  Recommends business process and controls improvements to ensure compliance, as necessary.
• Responsible for assessing and investigating potential compliance violations, including, without limitation, potential violations of federal or state laws and regulations, NERC reliability standards, the tariff, or corporate policies and procedures. Ensures corrective actions are implemented in a timely manner. Responsible for facilitating development of self-reports and mitigation plans related to potential violations of NERC Standards.  Follows up to ensure timely performance and reporting of associated mitigation activities. Evaluates corrective actions and mitigation plans, including the scope, timing and priority of planned response to observations, findings and recommendations of internal and external audits and performs reviews of processes and procedures related to compliance with federal and state laws. 
• Performs market and operational data mining and related analysis as necessary to support event analysis, data requests, compliance assessments and other compliance activities. Creates and maintains requested reports for compliance management.  Partners with Operations to perform NERC Event Analysis for all events occurring in the ISO’s balancing and reliability coordinator area. Capable of utilizing operational tools and databases to perform independent compliance assessments related to the  event.
• Facilitates internal discussions to develop ISO position on new and revised standards. Ensures internal readiness for standards implementation. Develops and delivers internal training for compliance and awareness, including Collaboration Forums. Trains additional compliance personnel on use of real-time tools as requested.
• Develops and maintains strong collaborative relationships with key individuals at NERC and WECC.  May serve on industry standards drafting teams or other relevant compliance forums.

Level of Education and Discipline: 

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in System Operations, Business, Legal, Communication, or related field.

Amount of Experience:

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

Certifications: 

• NERC System Operator Certification required (or must obtain certification within 18 months of receiving the position)

Type of Experience:

• Knowledge of mandatory reliability standards, standards development, and FERC, NERC and WECC audit and enforcement rules and procedures is essential.
• Broad knowledge of utility industry and experience with corporate compliance programs and internal investigations is desirable.
• Strong understanding of bulk power operations, the operation of transmission elements, and experience with the use of real-time operations tools such as the Energy Management Systems (EMS) or Plant Information (PI) tools is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience operating the electrical grid in the western interconnection is ideal.

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. 

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