Electric Reliability Operations & Planning Compliance Program Manager

City of Austin

15d•Onsite

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, this position functions as a compliance professional with respect to Electric Industry Reliability Standards, Market Rules, and Operating Guides promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) as it relates to energy market operations, generation, transmission and distribution services (aka O&P Reliability Requirements). This position manages and oversees activities to assist work groups in complying with these O&P Reliability Requirements.

Requirements

Knowledge of NERC O&P Reliability Requirements and PUCT Rulemaking and Codes of Conduct.
Knowledge of ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides.
Knowledge of systems used to forecast, evaluate, monitor, and control the transmission grid and generation resources.
Knowledge of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality management requirements.
Knowledge of Electric utility transmission and generation planning and operations.
Knowledge of electric industry operations and evolving national and Texas regulatory developments.
Knowledge of utility financial practices, including budget preparation, financial, regulatory and managerial accounting practices.
Knowledge of systems used to forecast, evaluate, and transact business in the electric industry.
Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication, including preparation of written reports.
Skill in handling conflict resolution.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Skill in project management.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of experience working in a field related to the job.
Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the job may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
Valid Class C Texas Driver License.

Nice To Haves

Experience in NERC or ERCOT compliance related to an electric utility
Experience participating in or leading a NERC audit
Experience supervising or leading a team of professionals in a field related to electric utilities
Technical expertise in a field related to reliability compliance: generation operations, transmission operations, transmission planning, protection engineering, transmission engineering, generation engineering, or energy market operations
Professional Engineering License
Project Management/Program Management/PMP certification
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including SharePoint and document management systems

Responsibilities

Monitors and interprets NERC Reliability Standards as it pertains to the Operations and Planning (O&P) functions, as well as State, Regional and Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., FERC, ERCOT, Texas RE, PUCT) governing Electric Utility operations.
Tracks proposed changes to standards and regulations and coordinates internal responses to proposed rulemakings or standards’ revisions with appropriate Austin Energy Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to allow timely comment or voting on such matters.
Drafts comments to the applicable regulatory authorities.
Leads cross-functional teams to ensure enterprise-wide compliance with O&P Reliability Requirements.
Manages and maintains a comprehensive compliance program for O&P Reliability Requirements.
Maintains a compliance calendar and ensures timely execution of compliance obligations.
Oversees the development, review, and approval of internal controls, written policies and procedures necessary for compliance.
Assists in developing and maintaining compliance monitoring systems and programs regarding compliance, including processes for self-reporting non-compliance events.
Assists work groups with standards and regulatory rules implementation.
Coordinates responses to requests for information, audits, spot checks, and other compliance monitoring activities.
Assists the Reliability Compliance Director in managing and leading the internal and external audit processes required to maintain consistent standards to assist in compliance.
Advises the Reliability Compliance Director on the state of the company's O&P Reliability Requirements compliance.
Represents Austin Energy in Reliability Requirement development activities and informs appropriate staff of Reliability Requirements changes and initiatives.
Manages regional certification and registration process for Austin Energy.
Develops and implements internal processes to assist in compliance with Reliability Requirements and codes of conduct.
Monitors and reports on compliance violations.
Conducts compliance investigations and develops mitigation plans for potential violations.
Promotes a culture of compliance across the organization.
Develops and delivers training programs for Operations & Planning compliance expectations.
Participates in industry working groups, standards drafting teams, or compliance forums.
Stays informed of best practices and emerging compliance trends.