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 schedule. 

Relocation Assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Manager, provides technical expertise and software functional testing, integration, functional enhancement and support of electricity market systems. Develops test cases to ensure that software changes are consistent with intended business requirements to minimize exposure to unintended consequences of variances. Partners with other internal departments and with associated vendors as appropriate to implement software changes. Maintains the non-production environments to support market simulation and parallel production activities by ensuring the market systems perform as expected.

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Develops test cases, performs functional testing, and supports market applications. Provides support to the market simulation and parallel operations in multiple environments.
• Participates on project implementation teams to ensure successful implementation of key power systems software applications projects and initiatives from inception to production delivery. Works with project teams involving project management office, policy, legal, and other business units. Ensures that key personnel and IT experts are included on the team to design and enable new systems to support corporate initiatives.
• Performs the duties needed to supplement designing, testing, documenting, user training or other such activities associated with market and power system applications, understanding business rules and bid validation, including coordination with external market participants during market simulations, and responding to market participants disputes or inquiries when necessary.
• Ensures complete and accurate documentation of implemented application or modification is developed and maintained to provide permanent records or system component and backup material with focus on adherence to requirements and compatibility of all segments of the project including the quality of work done by others.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of policy issues and related matters, and works under minimum supervision. Anticipates, identifies and resolves implementation, design and integration-related problems or potential problems within assigned areas, and may propose solutions to such issues. May propose solutions to issues and problems outside of assigned areas of responsibility.

Level of Education and Discipline

A Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management of Information Systems, or related technical field. Master’s Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience

Equivalent years of education and training, plus two (2) or more years related experience. 

Type of Experience

Requires experience in two or more of the following areas: knowledge of power system industry structure and electric utility operations, preferably in a similar ISO with market design or operation background; business rules developments using JRules; software system integration, web services; common information model (CIM) and extension to market data; Oracle relational database and SQL language; software tools and programming concepts. In addition, knowledge of regulatory and economic analyses is preferred.

Other

Strong verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  Problem solving skills with the ability to influence others without direct authority. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

The pay range for the Power Systems Specialist - Development position is $40.14 - $66.89 / hourly.

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