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.

Relocation assistance is available.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Director, Real Time Operations, manages the real-time operation of the ISO controlled grid and staff responsible for safe and reliable grid operations in compliance with all WECC Regional Reliability Standards, NERC Reliability Standards and the ISO Tariff and procedures. Manages administrative functions of the Reliability Coordinator (RC) staff.  Serves as the primary point of contact for coordinating real-time functions and activities. Acts as the liaison between the ISO control room staff and ISO Executives.

This role takes part in a rotating 12 hour shift work environment. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Manages real-time operations staff in connection with performing the real-time operations. Manages and coordinates activities of assigned shift personnel to ensure safe and reliable operations in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, while at all times respecting and maintaining the independence of, and not interfering with the judgment and decisions of Reliability Coordinator staff with respect to any directives they may issue.
   
• Provides general guidance and mentoring to control room staff regarding professionalism standards and job performance.
   
• Coordinates work schedules and oversees time reporting and related matters for shift personnel performing the BA, TOP and RC functions. Acts as the primary contact for coordinating real-time operations.
   
• As appropriate, exercises authority over operations personnel at the PTOs, UDCs and participating and non-participating generators regarding system reliability and system emergencies.
   
• Works collaboratively with real-time operations staff to ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable NERC/WECC reliability standards, policies, and guidance, with recognition that matters relating to processes and procedures used to comply with requirements for the RC function are within the purview of, and will be handled by, the Director, Reliability Coordination.
   
• Reviews load forecasts, resources, schedules, and anticipated system conditions and coordinates requirements for Reliability Must Run units and commits additional resources as necessary based on the review as appropriate. Reviews scheduled outages, current outages, and system conditions with the crew.
   
• Coordinates load and system restoration for the Balancing Authority Area after major system disturbances in coordination with the Reliability Coordinator. May declare a System Emergency as detailed in the Tariff to suspend market operations and to set administrative prices for Ancillary Services needed to resolve the emergency.
   
• Reviews grid operations logs and documentation for accuracy and prepares reports as required.
   
• Manages and coordinates activities related to the implementation of new operational or market changes. Oversees all IT activities, including real-time incident escalation, patching, deployments, maintenance, cutovers, and updates. Identifies training needs and ensures real-time personnel receive appropriate training.  
   
• Acts as the liaison between the ISO control room staff and ISO Executives, other ISO departments, adjacent Balancing Authority Areas, PTOs, UDCs, market participants, and related entities. 

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Engineering, Computer Science or Business. Master’s Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

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

Certifications:

NERC Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission certification required, Reliability Coordinator certification preferred.

 Type of Experience:

Experience in power system operations, power plant operations, substation operations, generation, transmission, scheduling, and/or market design and operations. Experience as a Reliability Coordinator, Generation Dispatcher and/or Transmission Dispatcher. Recent experience with California or other WECC Balance Authority Area strongly desired. Requires a thorough knowledge of utility practices in operation of power systems, and a broad understanding of market design and operations. Management experience preferred.

Typically requires a background in electrical engineering, plus power system operations and/or electric generation operations. Exposure to mechanical engineering, business, and law helpful.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Ability to adapt and multi-task in a rapidly changing environment. Requires effective leadership abilities, and the ability to organize an operations crew in a "team" concept. Strong oral and written communication skills.

Must be able to perform effectively under emergency and high-pressure situations.

The pay range for the Manager, Real-Time Operations at the CAISO is $74.60 - $124.34 per hour.