Energy Data Acquisition Specialist (Remote Within Commuting Distance)

Company Description

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 remote work capacity, but requires the ability to commute in as needed.

Relocation assistance is available.

The Telemetry Real-Time Engineer (Energy Data Acquisition Specialist) performs and provides technical support on activities related to the configuration, testing and implementation of revenue and telemetry metering equipment and processes. Interfaces with market participants (Generator owners, developers, third party engineering companies, Utility representatives, etc.) regarding development and/or modifications of power generation for the California markets. Ensures that all ISO Data Acquisition (ISO Metered Entities) and Control entities are thoroughly inspected, documented, certified and provide accurate data acquisition information and control capacity according to CAISO approved certification procedures and standards. Supports, maintains, and modifies current tariff and BPM language in support of all related CAISO revenue metering and telemetry policies and practices.

What's In It For You

• An opportunity to work on interesting and challenging assignments involving the mathematical and economic analysis of the California ISO markets.
• You will play a key role in the strategic vision of the California ISO.
• Join an innovative organization that is working hard at keeping its reputation as a leader in the energy industry!

What You Will Be Doing

• Representing the business unit as a subject matter expert involving matters relating to audits, installation, and configuration verifications to ensure that ISO approved standards and requirements are maintained.
• Providing technical expertise, assistance and troubleshooting to market participants and associated engineering companies related to issues affecting proposed and/or existing designs, development and configuration of standards according to requirements outlined within the tariff and business practice manuals associated with telemetry and revenue metering.
• Providing guidance and training to various internal and external customers including entities such as ISO Authorized Inspectors, Meter Inspection Companies etc. related to matters involving the collection and processing of telemetry and revenue metering.
• Researching, evaluating and developing technical solutions to meet current or proposed Tariff / BPM requirements related to telemetry or revenue metering, including troubleshooting activities to resolve issues related to entities facing non-compliant issues outlined within the CAISO tariff or Business Practice Manuals.
• Verifying the integrity of resources certified for Ancillary Services, include coordinating testing, analyzing test data, and resource testing database management.
• Coordinating and analyzing data for certification of resources desiring to participate in the California ISO market and contractual resource reserves.
• Creation and maintenance of related documented business processes (internal & external), along with supporting desktop procedures to ensure consistent practices are maintained according to ISO standards captured within the tariff and BPM's.
• Support of Full Network Model (FNM) Builds including deliverables affiliated with telemetry (Database Builds) and revenue metering (Certificate of Compliance) outlined within the New Resource Implementation (NRI) process to ensure commercial operation dates are met according to projected timelines.
• Providing technical assistance in the design, development and maintenance of standards according to requirements associated with telemetry and revenue metering including but not limited to, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Remote Terminal Units (RTU), Digital Control Systems (DCS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) and CAISO approved Remote Intelligent Gateway (RIG) and Approved ISO Meters.

Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline:

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology or related field.

Amount Of Experience

• Equivalent years of education and training, plus two (2) or more years related experience.

Type Of Experience

• Experience with the installation and/or programming of revenue grade meters used in the collection and calculation of meter data
• Experience as a utility industry meter Technician or Engineer desired
• Experience with the use of test equipment in high voltage substations and generating plants
• Experience establishing metering solutions and applications associated with the collection of meter data.

Additional Skills And Abilities

• Ability to configure internal and external analog modems
• Must possess a strong background in the theory and application of current transformers, voltage transformers and capacitive couple voltage devices as used for revenue metering
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential
• Ability to install and test meters and metering-related equipment (e.g., utility meters, CT's, VT's and free-standing metering devices)
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficient in the use of various types of metering test equipment such as watt-hour test kits, burden testers, phase sequence indicators) to verify metering installations
• Ability to review and apply engineering concepts as they related to electrical drawings, calculations and specifications for conformance with published ISO standards and protocols
• Basic understanding of telecommunication software, hardware and circuitry as applied to WAN
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member
• Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical persons. Effective negotiation skills. Demonstrates self-direction and self-motivation meeting self-imposed deadlines requiring minimal managerial guidance.
• Strong verbal and written communication and documentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail
• Problem solving skills with the ability to influence others without direct authority
• Understanding of AC/DC electrical theory using algebra and trigonometry is required
• Understanding of different types of generators, how they participate in the ISO market, and their system impact
• Demonstrates an understanding of telecommunications software, hardware and circuitry
• Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Knowledgeable of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software and Telemetry technology
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and experience working with regulations, standards, codes, methods, practices, and advanced engineering principles of electrical metering instrumentation for revenue metering

Additional Information

The pay range for the Energy Data Acquisition Specialist is $38.66 - $64.43 per hour.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.