Sr. NERC or NERC Compliance Specialist

City Utilities of Springfield; United States; On-site; USD 74,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

City Utilities of Springfield seeks a NERC Compliance Specialist to implement reliability compliance programs and coordinate regulatory activities under supervision. Responsibilities include audits, documentation, and collaboration with regulators to ensure timely reporting.

The Sr. NERC Compliance Specialist requires five years in a regulatory function within the utility sector, including three years in a NERC role; advanced certifications are a plus and knowledge of FERC, SPP, and cyber

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, information technology, computer science, business, or related discipline is required.
• NERC Compliance Specialist: A minimum of three years’ recent experience in utility/energy industry or like business in a regulatory function, such as: auditing, cyber security, energy management systems (EMS, SCADA), compliance, or utility operations (generation, transmission, or distribution) is required.
• Sr. NERC Compliance Specialist: A minimum of five years’ recent experience in utility/energy or like business in a regulatory function, such as: auditing, cyber security, energy management systems (EMS, SCADA), compliance, or utility operations (generation, transmission, or distribution); of which, three years of recent progressively responsible experience in a NERC compliance role is required.
• Any listed advanced certification may be considered in lieu of one year’s required experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and administers internal control processes and procedures designed to track compliance.
• Reviews compliance documentation and coordinates changes with CU subject matter experts as needed.
• Collaborates with CU and regulatory agency staff as needed to collect and prepare documentation for audits and data requests while meeting timelines for reporting.
• Performs gap analyses and mock audits to proactively determine compliance risk in systems, plans or procedures.
• Organizes and manages software applications to ensure essential tasks and documentation are completed to support compliance.
• Monitors NERC, FERC, and other industry media and regulatory agencies for ongoing standards development activity.
• Provides training and technical guidance to subject matter experts on emerging reliability and security topics to promote continuous improvement and reduce risk of non-compliance.
• Investigates and documents events to assess compliance, perform risk analysis, identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Provides updates and progress reports regarding CU’s compliance status.
• Stays current on applicable regulatory requirements and advises CU staff of changes.
• Represents CU’s interests at committee and/or advisory group meetings.
• Assists in the administration of information protection program requirements.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned by management.

Skills

NERC standards

Regulatory reporting

Audit coordination

Documentation management

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Align

Evidence locker

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Pay Details

NERC Compliance Specialist: Salary Grade 58 Minimum: $1,618.87/ weekly Midpoint: $2,023.60. Sr. NERC Compliance Specialist: Salary Grade 59 Minimum: $1,851.10/ weekly Midpoint: $2,313.86.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Purpose of Position

Under the close or general supervision of the Supervisor – Electric Reliability Compliance or designee, implements CU’s electric reliability compliance program and assesses compliance with all applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards across CU. This position also supports compliance efforts to meet Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements (information protection and Standards of Conduct) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) governing documents.

Essential Job Functions

1. Develops, implements, and administers internal control processes and procedures designed to track compliance.
2. Reviews compliance documentation and coordinates changes with CU subject matter experts as needed.
3. Collaborates with CU and regulatory agency staff as needed to collect and prepare documentation for audits and data requests while meeting timelines for reporting.
4. Performs gap analyses and mock audits to proactively determine compliance risk in systems, plans or procedures.
5. Organizes and manages software applications to ensure essential tasks and documentation are completed to support compliance.
6. Monitors NERC, FERC, and other industry media and regulatory agencies for ongoing standards development activity. Communicates this information to the appropriate areas.
7. Provides training and technical guidance to subject matter experts on emerging reliability and security topics to promote continuous improvement and reduce risk of non-compliance.
8. Investigates and documents events to assess compliance, perform risk analysis, identify root causes and corrective actions.
9. Provides updates and progress reports regarding CU’s compliance status.
10. Stays current on applicable regulatory requirements and advises CU staff of changes.
11. Represents CU’s interests at committee and/or advisory group meetings.
12. Assists in the administration of information protection program requirements.
13. Performs other related duties as required or assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, information technology, computer science, business, or related discipline is required. A combination of higher education course(s) and exceptional work experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
• NERC Compliance Specialist: A minimum of three years’ recent experience in utility/energy industry or like business in a regulatory function, such as: auditing, cyber security, energy management systems (EMS, SCADA), compliance, or utility operations (generation, transmission, or distribution) is required.
• Sr. NERC Compliance Specialist: A minimum of five years’ recent experience in utility/energy or like business in a regulatory function, such as: auditing, cyber security, energy management systems (EMS, SCADA), compliance, or utility operations (generation, transmission, or distribution); of which, three years of recent progressively responsible experience in a NERC compliance role is required.
• Any listed advanced certification may be considered in lieu of one year’s required experience.

Licensing/Certification

• Must have a valid driver’s license (minimum Class F).
• Active advanced certification(s) such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) or similar discipline is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Sr. NERC Compliance Specialist assumes greater responsibility and accountability for skills and abilities. Ability to: Self-start and motivate others as well as understand and communicate reliability standards and requirements and convey technical information in non-technical terms. Become familiar with various online platforms used for submitting information to NERC and the Regional Entity. Follow directions in a dynamic and sometimes stressful environment dealing with regulatory agencies. Assertively engage CU staff through evidence reviews to determine CU’s state of compliance to regulatory standards. Follow prioritized work tasks and adjust as necessary, based on changing requests. Interact with regulatory agencies in a professional manner. Coordinate and train with internal departments to meet deadlines. Monitor or actively observe industry stakeholder groups related to NERC compliance (e.g., compliance monitoring and enforcement, standards development process, SPP stakeholder groups, and the like). Effectively utilize a range of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, enterprise software, artificial intelligence-enhanced applications, and self-service systems. Must possess a willingness and capacity to learn and adapt to emerging technologies, including mobile devices, cloud-based systems, and data-driven platforms relevant to utility operations. Strong organizational skills to manage documents and meet schedules for reports and activities required by regulatory deadlines. Strong technical writing, computer, and group leadership skills. A basic understanding of NERC and FERC requirements. Public speaking/presentation skills. Good customer service skills to interact with other departments. Proficiency with various online platforms used for submitting information to NERC and the Regional Entity, including, but not limited to, Align and the secure evidence locker. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Maintain adherence to all company policies.

Physical Requirements

Typically, sedentary work. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through oral communication. Substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, and close visual acuity to operate a computer. Also, may require lifting up to 20 pounds, on occasion.

Working Conditions

Duties are normally performed in an office with some occasional field trips. Travel outside of Springfield, MO may be required occasionally. May be required to work non-standard hours, holidays, and schedules occasionally.

Miscellaneous Requirements

Employee must remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain the ability to respond to changing circumstances in a timely manner. Must be able to work successfully with diverse groups of people.

Testing

Testing may be required.

EEO

City Utilities offers equal employment opportunities to individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information or marital status. Learn more about CU and EEO.

Here at CU, we pride ourselves on being a progressive, community-owned utility serving 320 square miles in southwest Missouri since 1945 with electricity, natural gas, water, broadband, and public transportation services. Our vision is to deliver world-class services and exceptional value to our customers. This can only be accomplished by hiring and retaining world-class talent who embody our core values of safety, integrity, customer service, inclusion, leadership, and respect. These guiding principals support our vision and shape our culture and are used every day in everything we do while serving our community.