Senior Advisor - Grid Operations Change Specialist

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 flexible hybrid schedule.

Relocation assistance is available.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

With minimal direction of the Manager, the Sr Advisor - Operations Change Initiatives (internal title) acts as a technical expert responsible for providing expertise to ensure operational preparedness and readiness for System Operations on complex change initiatives that impact applications, processes, and procedures that Operators are dependent on. Acts as the strategic technical expert for Operational Readiness, proactively influencing the direction and implementation of key policy initiatives, technology enhancements, and system upgrades. Provides forward-thinking analysis to evaluate the impact of changes—such as new business processes, application modifications, standards updates, or market design changes—on operational workflows and compliance obligations. Responsibilities include coordinating and consulting with project team members across divisions on software requirements/designs, leads user interface review/feedback, building complex user acceptance testing scenarios, executing multifaceted testing scenarios, procedure review and maintenance, training development and delivery. Advises Senior Management on market design issues and their resolution by working closely with expert Technology Market design individuals.  Provides technical subject matter expertise pertaining to market operations, balancing authority operations and reliability coordination training using the Real Time Market Application, Energy Management Systems and other advanced applications for Power System Operations.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Is the Operational Readiness’ technical expert, independently acts as a liaison on complex initiatives that impact Operations. This includes Policy initiatives, PMO projects, application enhancements/defects, transmission/generation changes, standards changes, and business process changes.  Works closely with BAA, RC West, Market Operators and WEM operators, Technology, and others, to ensure requirements meet Operations needs and are detailed and complete.  Independently creates testing scenarios and executes user acceptance testing on delivered software changes to ensure requirements are met. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that operational requirements are not only met, but strategically positioned to enhance ISO’s operational efficiency and future adaptability.  Applies knowledge of System Operations to assess impacts on processes, procedures, applications, and the ISO’s ability to meet compliance requirements.  Conducts complex design reviews on application changes with Technology advisors and principles to ensure changes meet the needs of Operations.  Writes complex scripts against market system data tables and other applications to support analysis efforts within Operations and to help flush out system changes that need to be acted on.
   
• Leads the strategic development and delivery of training for Balancing Authority Operators, Market Operators and Reliability Coordinators, to ensure effective translation of complex technical and procedural changes into clear, actionable training and communication materials, including detailed release notes. Ensures training is aligned with and meets requirements for the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) and ADDIE processes. Supports change management efforts by preparing operators to adapt effectively to new systems, tools, and procedures, reinforcing the organization's readiness for operational transformation.
   
• Provides subject matter expertise to the Operational Readiness staff regarding the Balancing Authority Operator, Market Operator and Reliability Coordinator functions in the areas of Market Systems, ADS, EMS, ITS, and other advanced applications. Provides technical expertise for Operations for root cause analysis efforts.  Recognizes opportunities to mentor Operational Readiness individual contributors. Advises Operations management and staff of training opportunities. Provides deep technical and operational expertise on Market Systems, ADS, EMS, ITS, and other advanced applications and related processes and operator tasks. Acts as a trusted advisor for root cause analysis and other high-impact technical evaluations. Offers strategic insight to Operations leadership on skills development, mentoring opportunities, and knowledge transfer within the Operational Readiness team.
   
• Leads and coordinates across business unit’s operational procedure development to ensure Operations usability and compliance with regulatory requirements.   Facilitates periodic procedure review processes and works with the appropriate content owners and end users. Responsible for tracking feedback, changes, comments and approvals as well as updating and maintaining the internal operating procedures web site and databases. Ensures updates are accurate and timely especially for public postings to Corporate Communications. Develops new procedures and incorporates them into the standard maintenance process. 

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) required in Engineering, Computer Science or Business. Advanced degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

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

Certifications:

Professional Engineering preferred.  Project Management (PMP) certification a plus

Type of Experience:

Strong technical knowledge and extensive experience with ISO market system and other ISO applications.  Capable of creating detailed software requirements, reviewing complex software designs, and implementing training on market systems, interchange scheduling applications and advanced applications for System Operations.   Proven knowledge of Electrical Engineering, Advanced Applications, Power Systems Operations, and Electric Industry required. Strong technical knowledge and extensive experience performing market systems analysis, using advanced analytical applications. Proven subject matter expert for market systems that manage interchange, generation and transmission systems that ensure reliable operation on a wide area.  Expert Knowledge of software tools and the Software Development Life Cycle process. Extensive proven knowledge and experience of regulatory and compliance requirements. Experience Leading and coordinating meetings and working sessions with external entities.

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. 

The pay range for the Sr Advisor - Operations Change Initiatives (internal title) at the CAISO is $133,200 - $222,000 per year.