Senior Bulk Power Systems Trainer - Operations Training (Hybrid)

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.

Under the general direction of the Manager, Operations Training, using a Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) defines training processes, researches, designs, develops, implements, and delivers training material to support market and reliability training for operators including Reliability Coordinators, Balancing Authority Operators, Real-time Market Operators, Operations Trainees and external entities. Reviews, designs, develops, and delivers NERC continuing education training. Assists with creating training processes and insures that all required steps are identified and clearly defined. Actively engages with internal customers to ensure NERC System Operator certifications remain valid, and training material is relevant to current business needs. Ensures the training program’s compliance with all requirements in NERC and WECC standards.  

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Creates templates for training processes using project management tools. This includes defining all required steps in a given training process, outlining those steps sequentially using project management software, and detailing the requirements and timelines for each step.
   
• Coordinating and managing the day-to-day CAISO Bulk Power System Trainer responsibilities. Is knowledgeable of operating procedures, desktop guides and NERC and WECC standards pertaining to or affecting system operations and training requirements. Works cooperatively with other Bulk Power System Trainers in performing their assigned duties, and provides feedback to Operations Readiness Department management on their performance. Serves as liaison to other departments and entities.
   
• Creates, maintains and up-dates training material with the primary focus on CAISO System Operator foundational development. Ensures the material is accurate and meets the needs of the target audience. Delivers training and supports other SME’s in the delivery of training. Adheres to the Operational Readiness Department Systematic Approach to Training utilizing the ADDIE process.
   
• Actively monitors and maintains status of NERC System Operator Certification and ensures prompt and timely renewal. Actively tracks and monitors status of individual training records with the Operations Training group. Complies with all training requirements in NERC and WECC Standards, mitigation plans, and/or as prescribed by System Operations Management. Attends training deemed as mandatory by System Operations Management. Actively engages and participates in all attended training sessions and learning opportunities. 
   
• Works closely with Operations Training team members to establish, maintain, and update core training processes.

Level of Education and Discipline:

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training, or experience in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Education or related field. Master Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

• Equivalent years of education and training, plus five (5) or more years related experience.

Certifications:

• You must have one of the following Balancing Certifications:
  • NERC RC (strongly desired)
  • TO
  • BIT 
• Certification in Instructor led Training, ADDIE, and SAT desired.

Type of Experience:

• Experience with Learning Management Systems, development of new learning, training delivery, curriculum development and communications.
• Bulk electric system operations experience required.
• Experience with a Systematic Approach to Training and ADDIE process preferred.
• Experience defining processes using agile project management is helpful.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with several business units across an organization to solicit, identify, and deliver relevant material.
• Ability to provide practical and feasible solutions to problems, keeping multiple conflicting considerations into account.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills required.
• Excellent 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 Senior Bulk Power Systems Trainer at the CAISO is $55.31 - $92.18 per hour.

**We will also consider this position at the Lead level.  This level would require a Bachelor's or equivalent years of education and training, plus six (6) or more years related experience. The pay range for this position is $67.13 - $111.89 / hour.