NERC Compliance Analyst Senior - Operations & Planning

Company Description

Austin Energy is one of the largest publicly owned electric utilities in the United States and is an enterprise department of the City of Austin. Community-owned since 1895, AE provides electric power and retail energy services to the Greater Austin area. Its mission is to safely deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. AE operates in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Interconnection.

What makes Austin Energy/City of Austin Special?

- Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

- Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.

- Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

- Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

- Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

- Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

- Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

- Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

Role Description

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).

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

- 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

- 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.

How To apply:

Review the Full Job Description and APPLY through the City of Austin Career WorkDay Site (click APPLY).