Job Description

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO) Requisition ID: 19237
Location: Toronto, hybrid
Status: Regular
Business Unit: Planning, Conservation & Resource Adequacy

Why join us?

You\'ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn\'t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You\'ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences - and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province\'s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province\'s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario\'s electricity needs - now and into the future.

The Opportunity

The Resource Planning Division is uniquely responsible for developing integrated power system plans to meet Ontario\'s projected electricity service requirements at both the regional and provincial levels. Its plans provide advice to the government, and guide program and capital investment decisions for new initiatives in the market. The plans integrate market, demand, conservation, supply and transmission considerations. The Resource Planning Division works closely with other areas of the IESO to develop and implement initiatives. Reporting to the Supervisor, Planning Models, the Planner is accountable to lead and/or participate in power system plan development. The Planner is primarily responsible for conceiving, initiating, conducting, overseeing, and coordinating the necessary research, analysis and models advancement involved in the development of integrated electricity system plans and supporting their implementation to advance and inform decision making at the IESO to ensure system reliability. This is a promotion-in-place (PIP) affected role, candidates with lesser qualifications would be considered for a Power System Planning Analyst role.

What you\'ll do

• Perform various aspects of power system plan development with a focus on identifying needs, developing and evaluating options, making recommendations, and establishing a rationale for a preferred solution; working with others in Planning, Conservation and Resource Adequacy and other business units to balance all aspects into distinct integrated plans; developing and maintaining tools and processes to support the requirements; developing formal business cases and/or evidence required to support regulatory or other approvals processes to implement elements of integrated plans
• Conduct and often lead complex power system and other technical, risk studies or assessments as part of the integrated power system planning process. This includes the development or use of complex analytical models and data in order to simulate and assess the behaviour and performance of the power system in the Ontario context.

• Competent in planning system resource mix to meet the short and long term system adequacy.
• Be able to develop, maintain and implement processes that apply the principles related to reliability, operability, environmental and economic requirements as they apply to electricity system resources in Ontario.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake assessments leading to practical proposals as part of the system planning process that reflects an appropriate balance of these principles so that electricity customer resource requirements are best met within the Ontario context. This includes conducting capacity and energy analysis with analytical tools such as GE MARS, UPLAN, PLEXOS, etc.; and risk analysis software such as @Risk.
• Understand and apply NERC, NPCC, and IESO standards and criteria in development and conducting of analysis
• Responsible for developing and maintaining updated assessments to inform system needs, acquisition processes and policy decisions.
• Responsible to work with other groups (e.g. Markets, Operations) in the IESO to integrate information and insights to advance planning analysis.
• Conduct research on technologies, planning methods and practices, bringing relevant external trends and practices to benefit Ontario\'s planning. This requires working together with staff to ensure well integrated plans.
• Participate, and frequently act as team leader. This includes the following:

• Managing relations on the team as well as with internal and external industry partners / customers /stakeholders/ communities etc.
• Managing the planning and study work;
• Developing and getting buy-in on objectives, solutions and actions;
• Preparing required supporting documentation.
• Support the implementation of integrated and/or regional plans, including defining the scope, formulation, and timing of the strategic options to be implemented and assisting on design and consultation matters. This includes identify and assess options for addressing needs, provide support for acquisition mechanisms/processes such as procurements, markets or others; and support related regulatory processes
• Participate and lead in the preparation of broader technical, economic and policy based reports, presentations, memos and submissions related to planning (i.e., projects, recent developments) for stakeholder reviews, Board of Directors\' information, Ministry of Energy, regulatory proceedings, or other purposes.
• Support the IESO participation in external industry regulatory forums, both in Canada and the U.S (e.g. joint studies, standards, planning, and regulatory proceedings)
• Keep abreast of electricity industry developments, government, energy, environment, and economic policy and regulatory changes. Recommend participation approach, and propose strategies to address matters that are relevant to the functional area
• Occasionally, provide mentoring, advice and guidance to more junior or less experienced staff. Provide quality control and review of work and products of junior staff (Planning Analyst) in these occasions
• Other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned

What you need to succeed

• A university degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Economics, Planning or other relevant discipline is required
• A curriculum or experience that includes exposure to power systems, electrical theory, power system analysis and equipment, energy systems and conversion, mathematics, statistics or economic analysis is preferred
• 6- 8 years of experience in a power system planning or operation or analytical studies related to integrated planning is typically required
• Strong knowledge of and experience programming in Python, VBA, R, Matlab, etc., including writing and testing code. Be able to write programming scripts to do analysis and/or modelling
• Self-initiative, creativity, passion for problem solving and comfort with ambiguity and complexity
• Overall interest and knowledge of the policy and market environment as it relates to the electricity sector in Ontario.
• High level of understanding of reliability criteria, their application and relevancy, and market elements
• Skilled in written, verbal communications and presentation skills to prepare and present complex information and analysis, briefings and reports to small and large groups
• Passion for serving electricity customers and public interest in the role of planning and an appreciation for its importance
• Skilled in the use of PC and web-based applications and databases, in particular Excel, PowerPoint
• Skilled in the use of various specialized power system analysis and production simulation tools and technologies (i.e. PLEXOS, UPLAN, MARS, @Risk, etc.) is an asset; good understanding of the results from such analysis and simulations. Familiarity with the application and limitations of these modeling tools and technologies as they apply to an evolving power system
• Experience in the Ontario electricity sector is preferred

What\'s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry

Deadline: October 2, 2023

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment - one that values every team member\'s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview.

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto location.

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