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 would be eligible to participate in a flexible hybrid schedule.
Relocation assistance is available.
Job Description
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Under the general direction of the Manager, is responsible for managing ISO engagement in California regulatory agency proceedings and initiatives. Ensures regulatory direction and decisions recognize the ISO’s reliability mandate, market, operational, and planning responsibilities. Performs analyses on existing and proposed regulations. In addition, serves as the California regulatory affairs liaison to internal teams. Position requires participation in paid on-call rotation.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Follow regulatory proceedings and initiatives and manage and develop internal strategy to address concepts and party comments for ISO team and leadership, plan and lead meetings to coordinate ISO engagement and comments in regulatory proceedings, develop timelines and overall management of ISO public facing engagement (including written formal comments, analyses and presentations filed at the regulatory agencies, written ex parte communications, etc.), draft comments and conduct quantitative supporting analyses. Works with department and other business units at the ISO to identify key issues and develop outreach efforts that strengthen relationships with strategic partners. Attend and participate in proceeding or project meetings and workshops. Demonstrate comment of concepts, practices, and procedures of state regulatory proceedings as well as ISO functional concepts such as electricity market, operational, infrastructure & planning, and settlements rules.
- Serves as the California Regulatory Affairs liaison for ISO market design, transmission planning, and/or other stakeholder initiatives as assigned by the Manager. Attend internal team meetings, public stakeholder meetings and calls, and read initiative papers to identify areas of regulatory interest. Master concepts and proposals introduced in these initiatives. Evaluates ISO initiatives such as proposed market design rules and policies and infrastructure planning outcomes to identify potential challenges to regulatory strategy. Ensures challenges are addressed before new rules and policies are finalized and presented to the ISO board of governors for approval. Keeps the California Regulatory Affairs department informed of proposed changes to facilitate the alignment of ISO interests with California state agencies. Ensure these internal activities are coordinated and messaging is aligned with regulatory positions and filings. Ensure California Regulatory Affairs team and leadership are kept up to date on such coordination and ISO teams are aware of regulatory concerns. Conduct quantitative supporting analyses as needed.
- Participate in paid on-call rotation and other job-related duties as assigned.
- Attends business meetings, and collaborates with ISO colleagues to develop “best practices” policies and procedures, and to identify and resolve issues to help create a flexible and efficient organization.
- May perform related duties and activities as assigned.
- Adheres to and supports the Core Values of the ISO.
- Adheres to and supports the safety policies and programs of the ISO. Accountable for implementing the policies and procedures of the ISO Safety Program.
Qualifications
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.
Amount of Experience:
Equivalent years of education and training, plus two (2) or more years related experience.
Type of Experience
Economic or engineering analysis of complex issues. Experience writing and presenting technical proposals and reports to diverse audiences. Experience in team environment to resolve complex problems. Developing and managing project plans to meet established milestones and objectives. Experience in electric utility industry or regulatory processes is preferred.
Additional Skills and Abilities:
Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member. Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail. Quantitative and/or programming skills preferred. Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills. Excellent 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. Self-motivated, problem solving skills and the ability to influence others without direct authority.
Additional Information
The pay range for the California Regulatory Affairs Analyst at the CAISO is $38.26 – $63.76 per hour.