The California ISO is currently taking general applications for university or graduate students majoring in Economics or related fields for internship positions in the summer of 2025.
There are several groups inside the organization where you could further develop and utilize your skill set in this area! The selection process (with more details on the 2025 summer assignments) will begin shortly.
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.
Job DescriptionWhat's In it for You
Our purpose is to lead the way to tomorrow's energy network. Your work as an intern can impact millions of people who depend on electricity for their everyday lives.
- You will get "real world" experience to begin or further your career pursuits in the energy industry. This is a paid intern position for 10 -12 weeks during summer 2025.
- You get to work on interesting and challenging assignments that will help grow your skill set.
- Opportunities to interact with the CEO and the Executive team of the ISO.
- Invitations to seminars on the latest energy industry topics such as renewables, electric cars and micro grids.
- Social activities with other interns.
- You have the opportunity to work at our "green" LEED certified Folsom, California campus with some of the brightest people in the industry if you are local.
What You Will Be Doing
Past Assignments have included work such as:
- Assist in the management of the CAISO stakeholder initiative processes related to market design, infrastructure planning, and generation interconnection.
- Perform detailed economic and engineering analysis of existing and future market design rules, as well as participate in Market design and development efforts to identify new measures to validate market results that will improve market performance.
- Developing and designing new statistical metrics to monitor the changes in the electricity market.
- Designing and calculating indices for monitoring market performance and market participant behavior.
- Preparing and analyzing data queries, reports, charts and slide presentations to support special studies, investigations, and Board Meetings and Market Monitoring Assessment reports.
- Perform complex mathematical and engineering analysis of market software and advanced power systems application’s results to determine optimality of solutions.
Level of Education and Discipline
- Currently in an Undergraduate, Master’s degree (MS) or PhD program in Economics or related field.
- Graduating December of 2025 or later.
Amount of Experience
- Previous internships, research or work experience using economic analysis is desired.
- Research and or studies in energy industry highly desired.
Type of Experience
- Proficient in Microsoft office suite.
- Good presentation, oral and written communication skills highly desirable.
- Must be able to work effectively in a team environment.
- Excellent analytical and problems solving skills required.
Additional skills and abilities
- Strong quantitative skills.
- Competence in statistical software such as R, SAS and STATA desired but not required
The pay range for economics interns at the CAISO is $27 - $32 per hour.
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What We Do
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 "keeping the lights on" 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.
