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 or fully remote schedule. 

Relocation Assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, manages the day-to-day operations and staff responsible for NERC operations, planning and tariff compliance. Provides leadership and guidance in compliance activities to support compliance with reliability standards, the ISO tariff and business practices manuals and federal and state laws and regulations. Responsible for managing activities related to compliance, documentation, verification, monitoring and reporting related to the compliance of the assigned area(s) of responsibility. 

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Manages the day-to-day for the NERC O&P and Tariff Compliance team in implementation of the ISO’s internal compliance program.  Responsible for providing broad direction and guidance, identifies training needs, coaches and gives feedback on employee performance, develops staff performance plans, makes recommendations with respect to the hiring, advancement, promotion or any other change in the status of direct reports.
• Responsible for the end-to-end change management, development, and implementation support of compliance with federal and state laws and regulations for assigned area(s) of responsibility (i.e. NERC, WECC, Tariff). Works collaboratively with business partners to evaluate compliance and prepare reports and advice regarding the ISO’s status, remediating actions, mitigation plans, and accomplishments related to compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring internal controls are reviewed, evaluated, and maintained by performing control reviews during routine compliance activities, including but not limited to controls monitoring, compliance evidence reviews, compliance investigations, new standards implementation, and ISO Tariff amendments. Performs controls monitoring to proactively test and validate controls. Recommends business process improvements and corrective actions to strengthen controls that will minimize future risk of noncompliance.
• Responsible for assessing and investigating potential compliance violations, including, without limitation, potential violations of federal and state laws, NERC reliability standards, ISO Tariff, or corporate policies. 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 effectiveness of corrective actions and mitigation plans, including the scope, timing and priority of planned response to observations, findings and recommendations of internal and external audits. 
• Facilitates internal discussions to develop ISO position on new and revised NERC reliability standards. Ensures internal readiness for standards and tariff amendment implementation. Develops and delivers training as necessary, to ensure awareness on new or revised regulatory requirements.
• Develops and maintains strong collaborative relationships with key individuals at NERC, WECC and FERC.  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 Engineering, Business, Legal, Information Management or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications:

NERC System Operator Certification required (or must be obtained within 18 months of receiving the position).

Type of Experience:

Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills. Knowledge of NERC mandatory reliability standards, standards development process and regulatory audit and enforcement rules and procedures is necessary. Experience with corporate compliance programs and internal investigations is essential. Proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. 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.  Demonstrated organizational skills. Leadership and management abilities with experience coaching and developing others. Must demonstrate sound judgment and critical thinking when making decisions. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as team leader, facilitator and team member. Strong analytical and quantitative skills required.

The pay range for this position is $145,575 - $242,625 / annually.

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