NERC Compliance Engineer

Position Summary

This position supports and promotes the reliability of the Bulk Power System through rigorous compliance with applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The NERC Compliance Engineer is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing technical engineering expertise on NERC standards applicable to Generator Owner (GO), Generator Operator (GOP), and Transmission Owner (TO). This includes developing compliance processes and documentation, testing, preparing submittals for and supporting audits by regional entities, and monitoring standards for future compliance.

Essential Functions

Subject Matter Expert (SME) for NERC standards related to Facility Design, Connections, and Maintenance (FAC), Modeling, Data, and Analysis (MOD), and Protection and Control (PRC).

As a SME in NERC standards:

Evaluate new and existing facilities for compliance with NERC standards.

Perform testing and prepare engineering calculations and other documentation required for NERC compliance.

Respond to requests for information from Regional Entities, Transmission Planners, and others as required to maintain compliance with NERC standards and interconnection agreements.

Prepare self-certification, self-reports and mitigation plans to regional entities.

Maintain and revise as needed the company’s compliance policies, and procedures with NERC standards.

Prepare, coordinate, and support compliance audits conducted by internal resources, consultants and/or regulatory organizations.

Provide training on compliance processes.

Monitor Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and NERC websites to identify applicable current and future enforceable reliability standards.

Support Projects team in developing scope, budget, and detailed design for capital improvement projects.

Provide engineering field support for equipment failures. Conduct root cause analysis of equipment failures.Develop solutions and corrective actions based on the analysis.

Provide engineering field support during planned and/or forced outages.

Provide engineering field support for maintenance and testing activities.Review, evaluate, and track equipment test results.

Strictly adhere to and enforce safety procedures as required by ORMAT, CAPP, and OSHA

Must possess at any time a valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to Ormat auto insurance carrier.

Must be able to travel (approximately 20% of working time) to Power Plant locations, domestic and international.

Other Responsibilities

Other duties and projects as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power Systems, or a substantially similar field having a power systems focus from an accredited institution, or in lieu of a degree, 8 years of relevant work experience. Professional Engineering license desired.

7+ years of engineering experience in generation, transmission, and protection (this position may be filled at a lower or higher level).

Must have a high degree of initiative, ability to work with minimal supervision, and a high level of confidentiality.

Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards related to Generator Owner/Operator and Transmission Owner.

Experience with ETAP modeling software (or similar).

Experience using power system analysis tools such as PSLF, PSS/E, PSCAD is desired.

Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Excellent organizational and verbal and written communication skills.

Must be able to manage multiple projects.

Must have the ability to read, write and speak English at a level that will permit the employee to understand and communicate information in a manner that will enable the employee to perform the job duties safely and efficiently.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to work in plant operating areas including exposure to noise, vibrations, heat and cold.

Must be able to wear any required protective equipment required by safety procedures and regulations.

Job requires sitting and/or standing for long periods of time with moderate bending, stooping, and kneeling.

The ability to work at a computer and computer monitor and use repetitive motion for long periods of time.

The ability to safely operate 4WD light vehicles on highways and dirt roads