Economist

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) manages the efficient flow of electricity on more than 11,000 circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission lines, dispatching power from hundreds of generating units across the state.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) applies cutting-edge technology to operating a reliable electricity system, managing competitive markets for wholesale electricity, and planning for the Empire State's energy future. The NYISO’s Market Structures department invites applications for a full-time Economist.

New York ISO is a non-profit organization that designs and runs the centralized marketplace for electricity in New York and oversees the state’s power grid. The marketplace is constantly evolving as novel economic issues and technologies emerge that are reshaping our energy future.

As an Economist within NYISO’s Market Design department, you will help shape the future structure of New York’s wholesale electricity markets. Leveraging microeconomic theory, econometric methods, and analytical rigor, you’ll collaborate with stakeholders—including regulators, market participants, and NYISO leadership—to develop innovative market designs that align reliability, economic efficiency, and public policy goals. You will have the opportunity to perform in-depth research, develop models of NYISO markets and market mechanisms, contribute to cross-functional teams, to support New York electric grid reliability and market evolution.

Successful candidates will be self-motivated professionals who demonstrate emerging leadership, strong decision making and problem-solving skills, and good judgment within a team-based environment. They must exhibit excellent communication skills and have prior successful experience managing multiple competing priorities. Successful candidates will demonstrate thorough knowledge of and experience with statistical and econometric techniques and principles of economic theory, such as marginalism, game theory and efficient-market hypothesis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES And RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop models of NYISO markets and market mechanisms to provide an economic lens for reliability and market design decision making

- Develop and advance recommendations to enhance the NYISO markets. Analyze NYISO data in the context of theoretical frameworks to identify potential market effectiveness and efficiency enhancements.

- Evaluate market design proposals from regulators, stakeholders, market monitors, policy makers and others to guide the NYISO’s market design process.

- Lead the development of techniques to analyze energy market data and economic data relevant to NYISO markets.

- Prepare market design concept reports including conclusions from analysis and recommendations for solutions.

- Perform assessments and compile results of impacts to New York consumers from new market solutions.

- Mentor and assist Market Design staff on the regulatory history of electricity markets in the United States and New York, and the current market rules. Mentor and provide guidance on Market Design concepts and robust analysis design to Market Design Staff

- Review, assess and develop position papers for Stakeholders capturing market design features of other ISO/RTO markets.

- Monitor national trends and federal, state, and local (NYC) regulatory policies and prepare position papers for NYISO senior management on the potential impacts to and opportunities for NYISO markets.

- Represent NYISO in industry forums and conferences as an independent, unbiased source of information on the design and operation of the wholesale markets in New York.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or related field required. Master’s degree (MA, MS, MBA) in Economics or related field preferred; Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Economics or related field strongly beneficial.

- Five years’ related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience in knowledge of electric power utility industry and/or competitive markets, market operations, market economics; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Requirements

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications, e-mail and internet programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Contact with staff and public will occur. Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training.­­­­­­­­­­­­ This position may require work on nights, weekends or holidays.

At the NYISO, we realize the importance of balancing the availability of remote work with the inherent value of bringing people together to attain success in the areas of maximum collaboration, relationship building and growth, teamwork, innovation and problem solving, as well as professional development and mentoring. In this role, you will be required to work onsite from our Rensselaer, NY location several days per workweek, with the option to work remotely on the remaining days. You will also be expected to respond to all business needs that may require any increase to the regular onsite requirements.

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

All offers of employment will be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

The NYISO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

Salary Range

$89,600 - $149,400 USD