The California ISO is currently taking general applications for university or graduate students majoring in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Training, or Project Management students or related fields for internship positions in the summer of 2024.

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.

What's In it for You

Our purpose is to lead the way to tomorrow's energy network. Your work as an intern can impact millions of people who depend on electricity for their everyday lives.

• You will get "real world" experience to begin or further your career pursuits in the energy industry. This is a paid intern position for 10 -12 weeks during summer 2024.
• You get to work on interesting and challenging assignments that will help grow your skill set.
• You can work in an extremely collaborative environment inside our LEED certified Folsom, California campus.
• Opportunities to interact with the CEO and the Executive team of the ISO
• Invitations to seminars on the latest energy industry topics such as renewables, electric cars and micro grids.
• Potential field trips.
• Social activities with other interns such as barbecues and movie nights.
• You get to work on our "green" LEED certified Folsom, California campus with some of the brightest people in the industry.

What You Will Be Doing

The California ISO is looking to continue to modernize and improve our training program for our Control Room Operators. We are looking for an intern to support this project – here’s what you will be doing:

• Take a holistic view of our Operations Training program and helping define a roadmap towards a more repeatable and consistent steady state. Work collaboratively with our trainers to build out a progressive and tailored path to an improved program.
   
• Leverage process management tools like Jira to lay out the roadmap and work towards a more efficient training timeline.
   
• Offer new insights, recommendations, or alternatives to the training plan, exploring modern tools and processes to improve the program.
   
• The final work products will be repeatable project processes for new-hires that outlines all the work, evaluations, timetables, and certifications leading to their successful training and qualification on one of the control room desk assignments.

Level of Education
Currently enrolled in an accredited university pursuing a degree (BS, MS, or PhD) in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Training, Project Management, or other related major. Graduation date must be December 2024 or later.

Type of Experience

• No direct work experience required as this is an entry level intern position. Previous internships, research or volunteer experience in related role desired.
   
• Proficient in Jira or other project tracking software is desired.
   
• Experience with the Agile process is desired.

The pay range for the Operations Training intern at the CAISO is $24 - $27 per hour.