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 remote or hybrid schedule. 

Relocation Assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Vice President, fulfills a key role in CAISO's efforts to ensure the competitive energy market continues to provide sufficient generation such that reliable service to Californians is maintained. Manages the day-to-day operations and staff responsible for overseeing the generation resource transitions in the western interconnect. Supports CAISO participation in CPUC proceedings related to resource planning and submitting comments, as well as providing potential testimony as needed. Participates in external consultation and collaboration to develop appropriate generation resource adequacy metrics including thresholds and calculations, forecast types and volumes of generation the competitive electricity market is likely to produce, and supports transmission planning activities. Manages stakeholder issues and concerns.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Oversee the CAISO’s assessment of the longer term requirements for the CAISO footprint through an advanced understanding of:
  • Generation potential in California and the West based on resource availability;
  • Business drivers for generation and for different types of generation, including economic and market considerations as well as other externalities;
  • Consultation with industry and collaboration with various economic and government initiatives investigating generation and energy technology potential;
  • Assessment of future resource technology enhancements.
• Work with CAISO's policy and regulatory teams, provide technical oversight and direction on the development of generation resource adequacy metrics, and the ongoing assessment of the generation supply adequacy future of California:
  • Lead and support industry consultation on various adequacy metrics, including such possibilities as probabilistic loss-of-load or energy-not-served parameters;
  • Advance the industry understanding of the impacts and benefits of various approaches;
  • Develop develop through consultative processes the appropriate thresholds for the metrics such that reliable service is provided to Californians;
  • Overseeing the collection of the relevant generation data and calculation of such metrics and the oversight of industry communication sharing issues and results.
• Oversee the development of seasonal capacity assessments supporting Resource Adequacy functions and other operational awareness requirements.
• Ensure that long term and near term reliability assessments are coherent and coordinated, and technically robust.
• Support the implementation of a procurement process for generation if such generation is required for reliability purposes;
  • Participate in CPUC proceedings related to resource planning and submitting comment, testimony and as witness on representing the CAISO.
• Contribute in the preparation of the CAISO 10 Year Transmission System Plan and especially into the 20 Year Outlook.

• Support transmission planning initiatives, including, if necessary, providing evidence and testimony in regulatory proceedings addressing the need for transmission system reinforcement.

Level of Education and Discipline:

• A bachelor's degree (BA. BS) or equivalent education, training, or experience in Engineering, Science, or related area. MBA degree preferred. 

Amount of Experience: 

• Equivalent years of education and training, plus ten (10) or more years related experience.

Type of Experience:

• Familiarity with WECC and NERC criteria and standards.
• Operational or regulatory and policy development experience.
• Detailed understanding of electric power generation and resource planning principles, including adequacy analysis techniques and reliability evaluations.
• Understanding generation project development and related economic analysis.
• Demonstrated project management skills and managing complex issues with a cross-functional team.
• Negotiation skills would be an asset.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. Excellent leadership and management abilities with experience coaching and developing others. Must demonstrate sound judgement and critical thinking when making decisions. Possess the ability to work to deadlines in a demanding and challenging environment. Must be able to work effectively in a team setting as team leader, facilitator, and team member. Strong analytical and quantitative skills required.  Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex materials and concepts. Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work well independently.

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