Sr Advisor - Transmission Assets Engineer (Hybrid or Local Remote)

Company Description

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 can support a hybrid or local remote schedule.

Relocation Assistance is available.

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Manager, works on complex assignments and acts as technical expert to department staff, and provides expertise in support of Transmission Asset activities.  Ensures the ISO is in compliance with the Transmission Control Agreement (TCA) and is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the ISO Transmission Maintenance Standards with respect to transmission facility (substation, protection, transmission lines and associated equipment) maintenance.  Investigates transmission system events and supports management of system operation Inverter Based Resource (IBR) operational issues.  Supports the ISO planning process phase three competitive solicitation process. Fosters a collaborative team environment. Trains, mentors and supports team members to build institutional knowledge and bench strength in transmission planning, function and maintenance.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Develops, implements, and modifies, through appropriate stakeholder processes, ISO reliability standards, generator interconnection contract requirements, and various procedures, guidelines and policies related to transmission that may have significant economic impact to the marketplace.  Provides expert technical leadership for the implementation and enforcement of the ISO Transmission Maintenance Standards.  Plans maintenance reviews of each PTO’s transmission line maintenance records and facilities.  Analyzes results from the annual maintenance reviews, standard maintenance reporting system, and availability measures to identify any positive or negative trending, and makes appropriate recommendations to the ISO and PTOs that will result in overall improvements to grid reliability.
• Serves as a senior staff expert for the organization on protective relaying and IBR related issues. Provides transmission line and/or protective relaying expertise and joint oversight in implementing the CAISO Transmission Planning Process Phase III competitive solicitation process. Provides protection engineering consulting to internal work groups and external entities as assigned, including mentoring.
• Responsible for insuring the long-term reliability and cost effectiveness of the ISO Grid through the investigation and mitigation of operational concerns and enforcement of Inverter Based Resource requirements. Leads mitigation and enforcement of operating and contractual requirements related to transmission. Investigates system events and works with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues. Resolves transmission facility maintenance related stakeholder issues. Partners with and supports the Regional Transmission Engineering, Grid Operations, and others within the ISO to understand and resolve identified transmission facility related issues. 
• Ensures that Transmission Assets remains in compliance with FERC, NERC and other regulatory requirements relating to transmission maintenance.  Responsible for Transmission Assets transmission facility compliance reporting requirements.
• Fosters reliability of the ISO Grid and the image of the ISO by effectively representing the corporation at various industry forums including NERC, WECC, RTGs, and stakeholder groups.  
• Fosters a collaborative team environment. Trains, mentors and supports team members to build institutional knowledge and bench strength in transmission planning, function and maintenance. Actively participates in staff meetings, and identifies improvements to department practices, policies and processes. May perform lead responsibilities as assigned. Leads the Transmission Maintenance Coordination Committee (TMCC) in the absence of the Manager.
• The position requires travel within the ISO’s footprint five to seven times a year to inspect substation and high voltage equipment.

Qualifications

Level Of Education And Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Engineering with emphasis in power systems. Advanced degree preferred.

Amount Of Experience:

Ten (10 or more years related experience, including five (5) years at lead level or equivalent.

Certifications:

California Professional Engineering license preferred.

Type Of Experience:

Experience in high voltage Transmission Facility Equipment and Transmission Facility Maintenance or directly related experience.  Experience with California or other WECC transmission grid highly desired.  Experience or ability to learn and use other software applications including GIS mapping software applications desired.

Additional Skills And Abilities:

Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. Excellent leadership 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. 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. 

Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the Transmission Control Agreement, ISO Tariff, and policy issues concerning transmission facility maintenance.  Ability to work with minimal supervision and to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness. Ability to provide timely professional assessments with limited information and/or assumptions, and to confidently act on decisions.   Must be able to explain technical information to non-technical audiences.  Ability to understand diverse interests and negotiate with interested stakeholders to meet corporate objectives is also required.

Additional Information

The pay range for the Ar Advisor - Transmission Assets Engineer is $153,750 - $256,250  per year.