MRP - Senior Specialist - Operational Assessments /Market and Technology Integration

The Market Renewal Program (MRP) is about improving the way electricity is priced, scheduled and procured in order to meet Ontario’s current and future energy needs reliably, transparently, efficiently and at lowest cost. This program will have a profound impact on the organization from a strategic viewpoint, and also because it will deliver rules, processes and tools that impact several internal business units (BUs) to various degrees. Overall alignment and sound integration between new and existing processes and tools is critical to the MRP’s and the IESO’s long-term success. Therefore, new processes and tools, as well as changes to existing IESO processes and tools, need to be identified, designed and implemented.  As the Specialist, you will be working during the implementation stage of MRP as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Successful candidate will be expected to contribute to one or more project team areas as a member of a cross-functional team.

During the implementation phase of Market Renewal, SMEs will develop and implement changes necessary to deliver the Market Renewal design. Typical activities will include:

• development of Market Manuals and Internal Manuals
• consulting on business requirements and functionality changes of tools
• consulting and coordination with regards to Market Rule changes
• contribute to internal/external stakeholdering activities
• development and participation in testing procedures that validate the functionality and correctness of processes and tools

In order to ensure that the overall implementation reflects changes that are complete and practical, team members must leverage in-depth knowledge and understanding of their representative business units. SMEs on the project team are expected to draw upon their past experience and technical expertise, as well as their deep understanding of internal processes and business practices. Project team members must also become familiar with the Market Renewal design and be ready to apply it to operational changes of the IESO administered market.

Each SME shall develop and document changes necessary to accommodate the Market Renewal design, while considering their impacts to existing or new IESO processes and tools, particularly as it pertains to their area of expertise. Based on their experience and knowledge, SMEs shall evaluate various implementation options in a quantitative and qualitative manner, as applicable. Identifying possible pros and cons, unintended consequences or potential linkages to other IESO activities should also be considered. They shall identify any material risks or implementation challenges that are likely to be raised internally or externally. If further information is required, SMEs will seek out the necessary sources within the company or from expert consultants.

As part of implementation development, project team members will work with internal and external stakeholders, as needed. Some project team members are expected to develop and/or present technical or complicated concepts, reports and recommendations to a broad range of stakeholders.

In addition to supporting project design, SMEs are expected to provide input and assist the project management and implementation team in the development, review and refinement of the project plan.

The following is a listing of responsibilities associated with the role of Senior Specialist within Operational Assessments or Market and Technology Integration. These are not the responsibilities associated with the Specialist role of an SME on the project. But rather are included to provide the type of experience that would be required when performing project related activities noted above. 

What you'll be doing

1. Lead development of appropriate processes to support Operations activities. Identify the objectives of business processes, assess the risk of not meeting those objectives and identify process controls to mitigate risk as appropriate. Document process objectives, tasks, risks and controls in summary documentation (e.g. risk-control matrices).
2. Provide guidance and mentorship to other members of the team.  This may include problem resolution, training, and quality checks on their work.
3. On an on-going basis, assist process owners/stewards in reviewing the effectiveness of existing Operations processes.  Recommend, develop and implement effectiveness and efficiency improvements, as necessary.
4. Work with subject matter experts from different business units to produce business process documentations including procedural instructions for Operations activities. Ensure that the documentation is consistent with NERC standards, NPCC criteria, the market rules, relevant government regulations and other industry standards, and is consistent with IESO processes for managing controlled documents. Ensure that the documentation is appropriate for the targeted audience (e.g. internal vs market manuals) and contains the appropriate level of detail.
5. Work with SMEs within and outside Operations as necessary to integrate new technology/market design into IESO Operations by:

• Determining different stakeholders impacted and coordinate development of appropriate processes, tools and procedures to enable seamless integration
• Managing risks by developing proper controls and monitoring to ensure that processes/tools are functioning as designed

1. Liaise with Operations staff to understand issues with the performance of existing operational tools, and follow-up with relevant groups including Information Technology (IT) to facilitate their resolution.
2. Ensure proper development of end user computing tools as necessary to support Operations tasks, including operation of the IESO controlled grid and operation of the IESO administered markets.
3. Maintain a current knowledge of Operations processes (including but not limited to day-ahead scheduling, control room procedures, real-time scheduling) for the purposes of interpreting and assessing the priority of issues regarding Operations tools and processes.
4. Oversee execution of forward market functions in a timely manner and track their performance by

• Coordinating with different business units within operations to conduct assessment of forward market participation requests, preparation of required inputs for forward market execution, and reporting of results
• Developing proper monitoring including tools to assess validity of results against the market objectives

1. Contribute to, lead and manage internal and external working groups and provide Operations perspective by participating in various stakeholder engagements that impact the operation of the IESO administered markets.
2. Assess the effectiveness of new programs and potential solutions to address operational and market inefficiencies.
3. Lead assessment of operational events for their compliance with legislation, regulations and standards including the market rules and market manuals, NERC standards and NPCC criteria Where needed, conduct root cause analysis to develop appropriate mitigation plans to contain IESO’s compliance risk exposure.
4. Lead ex-post and ex-ante operational assessments to identify operating and ancillary services’ needs to mitigate any reliability and operability risks. Where required, assist appropriate business units in procuring these services to meet reliability and operability needs.
5. Support and as necessary lead maintaining operating agreements with transmitters and interconnection agreements with our neighbours
6. Provide guidance to other business units on market operations including, but not limited to, clarifying policies and principles in making operational decisions.
7. Support, as required, specialized system and market efficiency studies
8. Provide support, as required to other business units, agencies, and market participants to fulfill strategic plans.
9. Perform other duties as required.

Who you are

Education:

Requires an engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, mathematics, computer science, economics and other specialty related courses to undertake engineering, economic or analytical studies related to the management and control of the bulk power system.

This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired, either through the successful completion of a four-year university education in an appropriate field/discipline or by having the equivalent education.

Experience:

Requires an overall understanding of the IESO-Administered Markets, their operation and the characteristic of the interconnected systems to support the activities of the IESO.

Requires exposure to the overall power system operation.

Requires excellent facility in written and oral communications, including the ability to prepare effective documentation, recommendations and reports.

Requires experience to develop a good overall understanding of system and market operation practices and procedures, including legislation, regulatory standards, resource utilization, and, system control orders and an ability to undertake complex market or system event analysis.

Requires working with multiple stakeholders including customers and good judgement in dealing with multiple priorities.

Requires computer experience including exposure to statistical and database software, desktop software applications, computer data conversion, various PC-based query and calculation tools, and computer system interfaces.

Requires experience in applying, testing and considering the merits of alternatives. Requires good customer service skills.

Experience will be related to the fields of:

• The IESO Administered Markets and interconnected power system operations
• reliability and operability assessment
• NERC, NPCC and IESO Market Rules compliance assessments 

Background experience will include:

• electrical engineering design concepts as they relate to the functions and characteristics of power system components
• familiarity with power system operation, practices, and policies
• familiarity with energy and forward market operations, practices, policies, and Market Rules
• competitive market operations
• particulars of power system operation, including technical features of generation and transmission equipment and facilities, system interconnection

A period of over 8 years, up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

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: July 27, 2022
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 commenced its 6 month Hybrid Work Model Pilot Program on March 28th, 2022. The Model allows for remote working up to three days per week, based on business needs. When working in the office, you will be located at xx