Sr Specialist - NERC & FERC Compliance

PPL Corporation•Allentown, PA

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for complex activities associated with the functional work group's reliability assurance activities. This is a key contributor in a complex environment who may lead functional teams or projects, and direct activities of less experienced personnel in the group. With little guidance, uses extensive technical knowledge of NERC, RF and PJM reliability requirements to provide sound judgment assessing complex compliance and assurance evolutions and expert business leadership in the guidance and direction to other PPL employees to support production of high quality, timely and cost-effective interpretation, execution, documentation and reporting of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Reliability First(RF) Reliability Standards as they relate to PPL Electric Utilities (EU). Provides leadership to develop and request changes to NERC/RF standards and PJM Assigned Tasks for NERC Reliability Standards. Recommends to EU executive management annual certification of compliance or non-compliance to these standards. This position requires an individual who is a recognized expert in knowledge critical to the organization and limited in the industry This position contributes to the development of group strategy for the NERC Reliability Program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
10+ years in an electric utility or related industry
Demonstrated thorough understanding and ability to apply NERC requirements in support of critical business unit compliance processes.

Nice To Haves

Degree in technical or business-related field preferred.
Advanced degree (MS or MBA) preferred.
Certification in Engineering, Auditing, IT, or GRC (e.g. Professional Engineer License, CISSP, CISA, CGET).
Familiarity with industry trends and best practices.
Understanding of EU issues and priorities.
Proven customer focus with the ability to understand business needs.
Able to plan work to meet performance expectations and group/departmental goals.
Respectful of others and able to use diplomacy in resolving problems and difficult situations
Demonstrated ability to work within teams and effectively influence outcomes.
Uses time wisely, requires minimal supervision and is able to handle multiple tasks with minimal impact on regular workload.
Capable of handling stressful situations and maintain control.
Demonstrated ability to research and apply results to business line guidance
Effective written, oral and interpersonal communication skills

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to evaluate, analyze, and establish positions on the most complex issues regarding application of and revisions to NERC/RF Reliability Standards, requirements and measures to help ensure adherence to the Reliability Standards. Lead EU reliability standards committees to develop and request changes to NERC/RF standards, and to develop and coordinate comments and balloting positions to interpretations and revisions to the standards. Perform specialized reliability standards and compliance assessments and analyses.
Responsible for assessing and interpreting requirements on the most complex emerging reliability assurance and compliance issues, taking a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions, and making use of knowledge of NERC Reliability requirements and business processes to identify innovative solutions and approaches to improve efficiencies and ensure effective and efficient compliance programs and implementation.
Lead functional teams or projects to achieve milestones and objectives, and present topical matters to senior leadership in Electric Utilities and the Transmission Department. Lead the discussion and resolution of issues related to reliability standards and compliance at internal PJM strategy sessions. Work independently on all but the most complex strategic level tasks.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with major EU departments and PPL Services (e.g., Corporate Security, HR) to incorporate adequate resources equipment and funds into the EU business plan and to ensure ongoing adherence to the NERC, RF and PJM Reliability Standards. Work with applicable Service Company and EU departments to develop best practices, assess internal controls, assess adherence to, identify gaps and corrective actions to ensure compliance to the NERC Reliability Standards and ensure a sustainable NERC Reliability Program. Also, understand and address compliance issues from market subsidiaries that have possible ramifications to EU.
Lead the design, testing, and implementation of revised NERC Reliability Standards and compliance programs, and development of enhanced internal procedures and processes, including coordination with PPL Affiliates on NERC Reliability Standards under development.
Clearly communicate technical ad complex topics orally and in writing with management to define issues and needs. Serve as the point person with EU senior management to contest, rectify, and respond to gaps in Essential Functions compliance reporting, and to ensure the integrity, accuracy and completeness of periodic departmental reports.
Represent EU on outside company committees and working groups responsible for compliance activities relative to NERC and RF Reliability standard compliance. Takes leadership role on committee and/or is viewed externally as a subject matter expert. During such activities, maintain compliance with FERC Order 889 Code of Conduct.
Lead and facilitate EU Reliability Standards Committee meetings, as needed. Assure recording of meeting notes, assign action items, and perform periodic follow-up as needed.
Increase and apply knowledge of NERC/RF Reliability Standards requirements. Provide direction and functional advice and act as a resource to less-experienced staff members and subject matter experts. Perform subordinate staff and EU subject matter expert staff training on requirements and measures, processes, procedures and tools.
The company reserves the right to determine if this position will be assigned to work on-site, remotely, or a combination of both. Assigned work location may change. In the case of remote work, physical presence in the office/on-site may be required to engage in face-to-face interaction and coordination of work among direct reports and co-workers.
May be assigned an Electric Utilities emergency and storm role. This is a special assignment that comes into play during storms and other emergencies when the company needs to restore power or respond to other issues affecting customer service. This role may necessitate the need to work after-hours, outside of your normal schedule.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all policies and standards