SWEPCO NERC Compliance Lead

American Electric Power•Hallsville, TX

11d•$116,255 - $177,503•Onsite

About The Position

A NERC Compliance Lead ensures that electric utilities, power generators, transmission operators, and related energy organizations comply with mandatory reliability standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These standards encompass Operations and Planning (O&P) requirements necessary to maintain bulk electric system reliability, as well as Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards designed to safeguard the grid from cybersecurity threats. The role is critical to preventing system disturbances, maintaining grid stability, and avoiding regulatory violations and penalties. In addition, the NERC Compliance Lead plays a proactive role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risk by supporting internal controls, facilitating self assessments and audits, and serving as a subject matter resource for operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity teams. The role requires staying current on evolving NERC standards, industry guidance, and enforcement trends, participating in standards development and ballot processes when applicable, and translating regulatory requirements into practical, executable actions. Through collaboration, education, and continuous improvement, the Lead helps embed a culture of compliance and accountability while supporting the organization’s broader reliability and risk management objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical preferred) Computer, Systems, or Applications engineering, Business, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
Minimum of eight years in fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership.
Minimum of four years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity.
Prior utility/energy sector or NERC-specific experience is highly preferred.
Distribution system experience is a plus.
Minimum of ten years in fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership.
Minimum of five years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity.
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) desirable
Certified Power Systems Engineer (PSE) highly desirable
NERC System Operator Certification
CISSP, CISA, or other compliance/security certifications
CRISC or similar risk/compliance certifications

Responsibilities

Collaborate on, monitor, and interpret the operational impact of new and revised NERC standards by tracking standards development, regulatory policy activity, and industry trends; actively participate in NERC ballot processes and discussions to identify and mitigate compliance and reliability risks prior to standard approval and translate requirements into organizational applicability.
Assist in creating, updating, and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and controls to meet NERC requirements.
Gather, review, organize, and maintain compliance evidence (data, logs, reports). Contribute to the preparation and review of Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), and Audit Readiness Packages.
Support internal audits, spot-checks, self-certifications, and external regulatory audits. Identify gaps, perform root cause analysis for potential violations, and recommend corrective actions.
Provide guidance to business units (operations, engineering, IT, plant staff) on compliance best practices, requirements, and evidence sufficiency. Help communicate regulatory changes.
Develop compliance reports, dashboards, or metrics. Track status, monitor tasks in compliance tools, and support submissions to NERC or Regional Entities.
Contribute to the development, execution, and tracking of internal controls to support compliance risk mitigation strategies.
Analyze compliance data, identify non-compliance risks, and contribute to continuous improvement of the compliance program.
Collaborate with Embedded Support, plant system owners, GEN NERC, and ENRA to ensure that processes are compliant.
Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assist with special projects, and support state public utility commission requirements.
Work with Operating Company’s Impacted Business Unit Leader (IBUL) to review and approve mitigation plans, RFI responses, and the design of compliance processes and controls.