Grid Operations Manager - Grid User Support; Onsite

Grid Operations Manager - Grid User Support (Onsite)

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.

Under the general direction of the Director, you will manage the integration and implementation of new and modified bulk electric changes that impact Reliability Coordination, WEIM, or California BA/TOP operators. You will oversee and lead the development of requirements, documentation, and readiness of real‑time personnel, processes, and technologies needed to integrate changes successfully. You will provide subject‑matter expertise and an operations perspective to cross‑divisional teams as new policies, markets, grid functionality, and operational process improvements are developed.

• Manage coordination with internal support teams, internal & external customers, and Operational Readiness staff for planned changes and unexpected issues of applications, grid topology, and processes. Provide an operational perspective and ensure impacts to Grid Operations, development of requirements and documentation, and communication with internal and external parties are considered and appropriate.
• Act as a Grid Operations representative on cross‑divisional teams to provide real‑time operations perspective on new policies, market and system functionality, and operational process improvements. Interact with Operations Readiness and internal or external customers to support UAT testing for tool enhancements and defect repair. Serve as System Operations Management Liaison during scheduled coverage periods and system events.
• Oversee and lead the creation, modification, and review of Operating Procedures and interim desktop procedures to ensure consistent operations and compliance with new and modified policy and operational changes. Monitor and provide input to WECC and NERC standards review as required.
• Assist in training development and delivery as needed and support the Director in developing and implementing short and long‑term strategies and objectives within the department, ensuring alignment with ISO objectives.
• Provide guidance, set daily work assignment priorities for staff as needed, identify staffing needs, mentor, coach, and train staff to optimize the team. Provide feedback to management regarding staff performance in support of the performance evaluation process and 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 (power system operations and/or electric generation operations), Economics, or related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.

Amount of

Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus ten (10) or more years related experience, including five (5) years at lead level or equivalent.

Certifications: NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification required or must be able to obtain NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification within six months of employment.

Type of

Experience:

Experience as a system operator or comparable role operating in a real‑time environment monitoring or managing the Bulk Electric System (BES), responding to planned and unplanned events, communicating with adjacent utilities, performing studies to determine appropriate operating limits, utilizing BES systems or tools, and logging events and actions. Experience working with NERC, WECC, adjacent Balancing Authorities, or Transmission Operators. Project management experience is desired.

Additional

Skills and Abilities:

Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. Excellent leadership and management abilities with experience coaching and developing others. Sound judgment and critical thinking when making decisions. Effective teamwork and communication skills, including written and oral. Strong analytical and quantitative skills. Ability to work effectively under emergency and high‑pressure situations.

The pay range for the Grid Operations Manager is $155,625 – $259,375 per year.

Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior level

Employment type:

Full‑time

Job function:
Other

Industries:
Utilities