Sr Stakeholder Engagement And Policy Specialist (Remote Within Commuting Distance)

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 hybrid or local Remote within Commuting Distance from the Folsom campus capacity.

Relocation assistance is available.

Under the general direction of the Manager, is responsible for managing the ISO's stakeholder process in the development of wholesale electricity market design and Policy initiatives.  Stakeholders include regulatory agencies, power producers, consumers, industry associations, and market participants.  Manages and develops relationships with stakeholders to ensure appropriate Stakeholder Engagement in policy development and supports all aspects of the stakeholder process.   Represents the ISO related to stakeholder initiatives and partners with subject matter experts from other ISO divisions, including management, to facilitate effective stakeholder processes on a wide range of market design, policy, tariff and operational initiatives.  Responsible for understanding policy and market design elements and communicating such to internal and external stakeholders. Collaborates with others to support the resolution of policy issues in the stakeholder process and other ISO forums.  Assesses emerging national industry trends and the impact on the ISO and stakeholders.  Responds to stakeholder and industry association inquiries and facilitates stakeholder interaction with the ISO.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Responsible for facilitating the stakeholder initiative process through the lifecycle of a policy initiative and ensuring Stakeholder Engagement is supported and effective throughout the process.  Partners with internal subject matter experts and stakeholders to manage stakeholder initiative activities from initiation to the ISO Board of Governors approval.  This includes developing schedules and plans, managing stakeholder comments and feedback and facilitating effective stakeholder meetings.  Communicates policy and market design elements to internal and external stakeholders.  Manages the policy initiative work plans to ensure cross-divisional milestones are being met.  Ensures the execution of outreach plans with stakeholders as it applies to new initiatives and strategic communications.    
• Responsible for writing and developing effective stakeholder communications through Daily Briefing notice web postings and customer outreach messaging (i.e., proposals, meeting announcements, agendas, presentations and other initiative-related materials).  Maintains documentation and statistics in support of the stakeholder process including document postings, meetings, comments and feedback from customers.  Acts as a liaison between stakeholders and other ISO business units in the resolution of issues that arise from stakeholder feedback.  Reviews and consolidates stakeholder comments to capture common themes related to market design and Policy development.
• Serves as a point of contact for inquiries from stakeholders and industry associations (i.e. solar, wind, energy storage) and ensures the distribution of relevant information to stakeholders.  Proactively engages stakeholders to maximize stakeholder collaboration. 
• Supports stakeholder events, including site tours and customer visits, as needed.  Communicates industry trends to a wide range of visitors. Participates in special projects related to operations, market design, policy and Tariff development and compliance.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Communications, Political or Environmental Science, Business, Economics, or related field. 

Amount of Experience:

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

Type of Experience:

Industry-level knowledge in policy matters relating to market, financial, tariff and grid operations required.  Experience interacting with stakeholders and customers.  Professional experience in one of the following disciplines: public relations, government and regulatory affairs, sales, account services or customer care within the energy industry.  Technical proficiency in electric system operations and ISO Market Construct strongly preferred.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Strong verbal and written communication, documentation, and presentation skills required, with a demonstrated attention to detail.  Ability to use deductive reasoning and analytical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.  Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills are also essential.  Must be self-starting and willing and able to work independently in a dynamic corporate organization under pressure of tight deadlines and aggressive expectations.  Problem solving skills with the ability to influence others without direct authority. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as facilitator and team member.  Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. 

The pay range for the Sr Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Specialist is $46.59 - $77.65 per hour.

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