Electric Reliability (NERC) Compliance Analyst Senior - Operations & Planning

IMDiversity; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Energy seeks a Senior Electric Reliability (NERC) Compliance Analyst to join Operations & Planning at the Austin Energy Headquarters in Austin, TX. This full-time role focuses on ensuring compliance with Reliability Requirements across all utility operations.

Responsibilities include reporting, process improvement, training development, and regulatory liaison with entities like Texas RE, FERC, NERC, PUCT and ERCOT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field plus four years energy industry/electric utility experience.
• Experience substitution allowed for education up to four years.

Responsibilities

• Documents, verifies, monitors, and creates reports relating to Reliability Requirements.
• Assists operations staff in end-to-end project management to ensure compliance with Reliability Requirements.
• Advises groups on revisions in Reliability Requirements and defines obligations to demonstrate compliance.
• Develops compliance training for Austin Energy staff and executives on Reliability Requirements.
• Assists with audit responses, data analysis, and documentation for regulatory bodies (Texas RE, FERC, NERC, PUCT, ERCOT).
• Creates corrective actions and mitigation plans with scope, timing, and priority.
• Represents Austin Energy in industry committees and liaises with key regulatory bodies.

Skills

NERC standards

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Written communication

Stakeholder management

Power system operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years energy experience

Job description

Overview

Electric Reliability (NERC) Compliance Analyst Senior - Operations & Planning

Location: Austin Energy Headquarters

Time type: Full time

Job Requisition ID: JR104414

Responsibilities

• Documents, verifies, monitors, and creates reports relating to Reliability Requirements.
• Assists operations staff in end-to-end project management principles to ensure compliance with Reliability Requirements.
• Advises assigned group(s) of pending revisions and/or changes in Reliability Requirements and defines the obligations to reasonably demonstrate compliance.
• Develops compliance-related training for delivery to Austin Energy staff, Management Team and Executive Management regarding Reliability Requirements.
• Assists in responding to Requests for Information, compliance violations, and spot check documentation.
• Assists with audit preparation and self-certifications; provides written response and data analysis and collection activities as requested by Texas RE, FERC, NERC, PUCT or ERCOT.
• Assists in creating corrective actions and mitigation plans, including scope, timing and priority of planned responses to observations, findings and recommendations from internal and external audits.
• Acts as a business liaison in staff meetings, providing information and strategic contributions to address compliance with Reliability Requirements.
• Creates and maintains templates for reports, guidelines for documentation and training materials.
• Applies new technologies to improve processes and communications.
• Assists in identifying, procuring and managing external consulting services.
• Develops working relationships with key individuals at NERC, Texas RE, PUCT and ERCOT and represents Austin Energy on industry and stakeholder committees and subcommittees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Reliability Requirements and electric markets, including evolving industry and regulatory developments.
• Knowledge of impacts of deregulation and reliability trends in energy markets.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws governing energy markets.
• Oral and written communication skills; ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize.
• Proficiency with computers and related software; data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to comprehend key analytical concepts in electric utility operations, power plant operations and energy markets and apply Reliability Requirements to relevant operations.
• Ability to adapt to frequent interruptions and changes in priorities and to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Engineering, or a related field, plus four (4) years of energy industry and/or electric utility experience.
• Experience may be substituted for education up to four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications

• None.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in NERC Operations & Planning (O&P) standards.
• Experience in regulatory issues with FERC, NERC, ERCOT, PUCT or related bodies.
• Experience implementing or maintaining a NERC compliance program or NERC audit experience.
• Technical experience in Electric Utility Operations & Planning: generation operations, transmission system operations, transmission planning, relay/protection engineering, transmission & Substation engineering, power production engineering, or energy market operations.
• Professional Engineering License or NERC Operator Certification, or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Project/program management experience.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations.