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 its employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a hybrid work capacity.

Relocation assistance is available.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Senior Manager, is responsible for representing the ISO before California Regulatory agencies, and managing ISO engagement in California regulatory agency proceedings and initiatives.  Maintains key relationships with agency policy makers and staff, and coordinates regular, ongoing interaction between the ISO and state regulatory agencies.  Ensures that the regulatory direction and decisions recognize the ISO’s reliability mandate, as well as market, operational, and planning responsibilities.  Performs analyses on existing and proposed regulations.  Identifies issues and recommends solutions on highly complex regulatory and governmental issues.  Acts as a liaison and partners with ISO management and subject matter experts to ensure effective ISO engagement on a wide range of regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure planning issues. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Independently represents the ISO before California regulatory agencies and manages regulatory proceedings and initiatives. Develops internal strategies to address concepts and party comments and presents to ISO leadership. Leads meetings to coordinate ISO engagement and comments in regulatory proceedings, and manages the ISO’s public facing engagement (including written formal comments, analyses and presentations filed at the regulatory agencies, written ex parte communications, etc.). Drafts comments and conducts complex quantitative supporting analyses.  Partners with ISO management and other business units at the ISO to identify key issues and strengthen relationships with strategic partners.  Accountable for developing and maintaining working relationships with the CPUC, CEC and other regulatory agencies as assigned to ensure that the ISO’s interests are clearly represented.
   
• Acts as the California Regulatory Affairs liaison for ISO market design, transmission planning, and other stakeholder initiatives.  Prepares written materials and presents information to ISO management, identifying issues and impacts to the ISO, and providing recommendations on the ISO’s position and how to proceed. Researches regulatory issues and develops and implements regulatory strategies on issues impactful to the ISO.  Evaluates ISO initiatives, such as proposed market design rules and policies and infrastructure planning outcomes, identifies potential challenges to ISO regulatory strategy, and provides recommendations. Identifies interdependencies between various regulatory initiatives and ISO initiatives.  Ensures that the California Regulatory Affairs team and leadership are kept up to date on coordination of initiatives and ISO teams are aware of regulatory concerns.  Responsible for additional state regulatory affairs issues, such as legislative issues, in support of strategic ISO or state policy initiatives.  Performs complex quantitative supporting analyses as needed.
   
• Provides guidance, sets daily work assignment priorities for staff as needed.  Identifies staffing needs and mentors, coaches and trains staff to optimize the team.  Provides feedback to management regarding staff performance in support of the performance evaluation process.  May participate in department hiring activities such as interviewing and providing feedback on candidates' technical qualifications.
   
• May function as a Department Manager and is accountable to Manager for actions taken in Manager's absence. May be granted additional supervisory authority based on department needs and/or consistent with departmental succession planning.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, Business or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

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

Type of Experience

Professional experience in public relations or government and regulatory affairs, with an understanding of current California policies and regulatory framework is required. Working knowledge of the ISO Tariff, energy markets and related regulatory issues. Economic or engineering analysis of complex issues.  Experience writing and presenting technical proposals and reports to diverse audiences.  Experience in team environments to resolve complex problems.  Developing and managing project plans to meet established milestones and objectives. 

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates fundamental management and 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, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority. Quantitative and/or programming skills preferred.   

The pay range for the Lead California Regulatory Affairs Specialist at the CAISO is $60.29 - $100.48 per hour.