Lead Resource Assessment and Planning Analyst (Remote)

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 or remote schedule.

Relocation assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Director, act as a technical expert responsible for performing assessments to ensure sufficient generation to maintain reliable service in the ISO footprint. Participate in the ISO’s long term assessment studies, develops generation resource adequacy metrics, and performs related complex modeling, simulations and calculations. Provides oversight of the generation resource transitions in the western interconnection including resource retirements and development activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provides technical leadership and manages the generation resource assessment and planning studies and their incorporation into the CAISO’s long term planning process, with particular focus on the assessment of future resource technology enhancements. Contributes to the overall preparation of the CAISO 10 Year Transmission Plan and the 20 Year Outlook. Supports transmission planning initiatives, including, if necessary, providing evidence and testimony in regulatory proceedings addressing the need for transmission system reinforcement.
   
• Leads and supports industry consultation on the development of resource adequacy metrics, such as probabilistic loss-of-load or energy-not-served parameters. Manages the advancement of the industry’s understanding of the impacts and benefits of various approaches, and through a consultative process develops the appropriate thresholds such that reliable service is provided to Californians.
   
• Acts as the subject matter expert for resource potential in California and the West, and understanding business drivers for different types of generation including economic and market considerations. Serves as a representative of the CAISO to the industry in collaborative efforts on various economic and government initiatives investigating generation and energy technology potential. Provides leadership and subject matter expertise to support the ISO in external engagements. Participates in CPUC proceedings related to resource planning, submitting comments and testimony, as well as WECC and other regional adequacy evaluation efforts. Actively manages stakeholder issues and concerns.
   
• Participates in the ISO’s resource assessment and planning studies, and performs related complex deterministic and stochastic modeling, simulations and calculations including the 24-hour stack analysis and various scenario analyses.
   
• Provides guidance, sets daily work assignment priorities for staff as needed. Identifies staffing needs and mentors, coaches and trains staff to optimize the team.  Provides feedback to management regarding staff performance in support of the performance evaluation process.  May participate in department hiring activities such as interviewing and providing feedback on candidates' technical qualifications.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Engineering, Computer Science or Economics. Master Degree preferred.
 

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus six (6) or more years related experience.
 

Type of Experience:

• Vast experience in the areas of generation resource planning, generation project development, transmission planning, or a combination thereof. 
   
• Detailed understanding of electric power generation and resource planning principles, including adequacy analysis techniques, production simulation, capacity expansion modeling and reliability evaluations.
   
• Experience in understanding generation project development and related economic analysis.
   
• Experience and demonstrated project management skills and managing complex issues with a cross-functional team.
   
• Experience with stakeholder relations and stakeholder collaboration efforts including preparing and presenting information.
   

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.
   
• Ability to work to deadlines in a demanding and challenging environment.
   
• Competence with Microsoft Office software, and in particular, Excel.
   
• Ability to work independently and also work collaboratively with a broad group of stakeholders.
   
• Negotiation skills desired.

The pay range for the Lead Resource Assessment and Planning Analyst at the CAISO is $129,075 - $215,125 per year.