Critical Infrastructure Compliance Specialist

Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Cedar Park (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is seeking a Compliance and Regulatory professional to support the department in maintaining adherence to NERC CIP standards across OT and IT environments that power PEC's transmission and distribution systems.

The role emphasizes data analysis, documentation, audit preparation, and collaboration with IT/OT teams to ensure regulatory compliance and rapid response to industry requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Three years of directly related experience including NERC CIP, cyber security compliance, IT systems administration or network administration.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and review data to ensure compliance with NERC CIP standards for OT/IT environments.
• Analyze and evaluate reporting from PEC's IT/SCADA groups to ensure compliance.
• Verify OS updates, patches, and configurations per Reliability Standards.
• Prepare and update baseline documentation per NERC/Texas RE requirements.
• Develop and verify reliability and compliance reports for PEC facilities and systems.
• Lead cross-functional teams to gather reliability data from IT/OT staff.

Skills

NERC CIP compliance

IT security fundamentals

Data analysis

Documentation & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Valid Driver's License

Job description

• PHYSICAL OFFICE LOCATION:** 1120 Cottonwood Creek Trail, Building A, Cedar Park, TX 78613

• PHYSICAL OFFICE LOCATION**: 1120 Cottonwood Creek Trail, Building A, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Hybrid Work Options Available

**Position Summary**

This position is responsible for supporting the Compliance and Regulatory Department by executing processes or performing actions designed to maintain PEC's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

**Essential Duties & Responsibilities**

• Inspect and review data and information for accuracy to maintain compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Standards for its Operational Technology (OT) and Informational Technology (IT) environments utilized to operate PEC's transmission and distribution systems.
• Analyze and evaluate reporting from PEC's automated systems and PEC's IT and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) groups to ensure the effective compliance of NERC CIP Reliability Standards.
• Verify operating system updates, patches, and configuration changes were performed in accordance with NERC Reliability Standards.
• Verification of baseline documentation are completed and updated in accordance with NERC Reliability Standards.
• Verify system diagrams and documentation for installation of new and modified hardware, software, and networks.
• Verify system configuration for proper logging.
• Verify system backup and recovery policies and procedures including routine automated and manual backups and offsite storage for compliance.
• Verify backup and recovery procedures are per industry standards and/or regulatory compliance.
• Responsible for participating in performance audits on overall system architecture and system integration between various energy management system (EMS) applications and interfaces with other PEC systems.
• Verifying account administration, system hardening and vulnerability scans.
• Assist in development of procedures for specifying and maintaining servers, storage, and special purpose work stations.
• Assist in the development of requirements and verify the reliability and compliance reports related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of PEC's Facilities and systems using a personal computer and Microsoft Office software.
• Analyze technical information and data needed to prepare reports.
• Develop reports and fill information and data requests.
• Assist subject matter experts in researching and preparing work plans, goals, procedures, and proposed solutions to complex reliability and compliance related issues.
• Recommend revisions to reliability and compliance related policies and procedures as a result of data gathered and feedback from staff performing NERC/Texas Reliability Entity (Texas RE) reliability and compliance related activities.
• Assist in the development of Self Reports, Mitigation Plans, and other external and internal reliability and compliance related documents.
• Lead internal cross functional teams to gather and verify reliability and compliance related data from a team of IT/OT System Administrators, Operations, and others.
• Maintain current technical knowledge of NERC/Texas RE Requirements in order to update policies and procedures.
• Implement required policies, procedures, and configurations; make recommendations for improvements.
• Prepare and present reliability and compliance related materials to a wide variety of audiences including senior management.
• Participate in industry stakeholder groups including CIPWG at ERCOT.
• Review and verify other types of information related to 693 Operations and Planning Standards.
• Prepare for and participate in Texas RE Audits.
• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned
• ... ... ... **Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities**

None

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities**

• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data, configuration, or processing information
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems
• .... **Minimum Qualifications - (Education, Experience)**
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Three years of directly related experience including but not limited to NERC, CIP, cyber security compliance, IT systems administration or network administration background experience
• Directly related experience may substitute for education
• Valid Driver's License

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.

Position Open Until Filled

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.