Electric Reliability - Compliance Analyst Senior - Operations & Planning

City of Austin

26d•Hybrid

About The Position

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. Under limited supervision, functions as a compliance professional with respect to electric industry planning criteria, Reliability Standards, market rules and operating guides (“Reliability Requirements”) adopted by pertinent regulatory authorities as they relate to Austin Energy’s transmission and/or generation functions. This role will assist operational organizations in managing and overseeing programs to comply with electric industry Reliability Requirements implemented by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Texas Reliability Entity (Texas RE) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT).

Requirements

Knowledge of Reliability Requirements.
Knowledge of electric markets as well as evolving industry and regulatory developments.
Knowledge of the impacts of deregulation and reliability trends in energy markets.
Knowledge of Federal, State, Local laws and ordinances governing energy markets.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritization.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Ability to comprehend key analytical concepts in areas of electric utility operations, power plant operations and energy markets and apply Reliability Requirements to relevant operations.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Engineering or in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years of energy industry and/or electric utility industry experience.
Experience may be substituted for education up to a maximum of four (4) years

Nice To Haves

Experience in NERC Operations & Planning (O&P) standards.
Experience in FERC, NERC, ERCOT, PUCT or related industry regulatory issues.
Experience in implementing or maintaining a NERC compliance program or NERC audit experience.
Technical experience in a field related to 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, Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Project/Program Management experience
Ability to travel to multiple work locations.

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.
Defines the obligations to reasonably demonstrate compliance with the Reliability Requirements.
Develops compliance-related training for delivery to Austin Energy staff, Management Team and Executive Management regarding Reliability Requirements.
Assists in responding to Request for Information, Compliance Violations and Spot Check documentation.
Assists with all activities related to audit preparation and self-certifications.
Provides written response and data analysis and collection activities at request of Texas RE, FERC, NERC, PUCT or ERCOT.
Assists in creating corrective actions and mitigation plans, including scope, timing and priority of planned response to observations, findings and recommendations of internal and external compliance audits and reviews of processes and procedure related to compliance with Reliability Requirements.
Acts as a business liaison leading and participating in assigned group staff meetings, providing key information and strategic contributions to proactively 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.
Represents Austin Energy and/or Municipal segment on industry and stakeholder committees and subcommittees.
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training and guidance to others.