Executive Smart Grid Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 is available in a hybrid schedule.

Relocation assistance is available.

Under the close supervision of the Manager, develops the skills, knowledge and ability to work on basic engineering projects and provides engineering support to Real-Time Grid Operations and Market Operations for the California ISO.  Performs related assignments as required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Learns how to establish and update the operating limits to the grid, documenting the associated operating procedures to support the safe and reliable operation of the system and modeling the market impacts of transmission constraints.
• Learns to prepare and conduct operating studies and contingency analysis, including power flow, short circuit, stability, and post-transient analysis, to maintain reliable operation of the grid.
• Supports and assists in the development and documentation of operating requirements and instructions in outage plans and operating procedures to adhere to NERC reliability standards, other requirements in accordance with pre-established guidelines and physical limitations of the system, as well as pre-existing policies, practices and procedures.
• May conduct seasonal and annual operating studies to identify grid reliability concerns. Develops the ability to assess the impacts of major transmission and generation additions/deletions to the grid, including renewables.  Assists with documenting, communicating and recommending operating plans to integrate all major facilities including renewable resources and smart grid technologies.
• Learns to model transmission constraints in the ISO market to ensure efficient market operations as well as reliable grid operations. Learns to provide engineering support on model validation and abnormal market price investigations.
• Assists in developing, implementing and documenting automated computer programs, and other advanced analysis methods, to allow for comprehensive monitoring of operational performance of the transmission system and detection of transmission system problems.
• May act as a point of contact for Operations Engineering, providing direct feedback on daily operational matters.  Attends operations planning meetings to communicate current day plan and the next day plan as required.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) required in Electrical Engineering with a curriculum in Electrical Power Engineering.

Amount of Experience:

This is an entry-level position, no experience required.

Certifications:

None Required. Engineer in Training or Professional Engineering license desired.

Type of Experience

Experience, education or research in any of the following would be helpful: simulation and analytical studies of electric power systems including harmonic, transient, stability, and load flow analysis. Knowledge of simulation programs such as PSS/E, GE PSLF, Powerworld Simulator and DSATools desired. Electric utility industry experience including emphasis in any combination of the following desired: Operations, Planning, Electricity Markets, Renewable Integration, Smart Grid, Design, Protection Relays, Energy Management Systems (EMS) or Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA). Familiarity with California Electric System or other portions of the WECC system desired.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in a team environment as a facilitator and team member.  Ability to provide practical and feasible solutions to problems, keeping multiple conflicting considerations into account. Strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required. Strong 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.

The pay range for the Associate Operations Engineer position is $38.25 - $53.56 per hour.