Principal Reliability Risk Consultant

This posting will remain open until a sufficient quantity of qualified applicants have been received and may close at any time without notice. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure they are considered.

The Reliability Compliance & Coordination Department is seeking to hire a Reliability Risk Consultant. This position is responsible for applying risk frameworks in a highly technical environment to ensure the design, planning, maintenance and operations of the Bulk Electric System achieves reliability and security objectives. The successful candidate will lead collaborative efforts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to support SMUD's strategic goals while addressing regulatory mandates and expectations.

Purpose

Provides technical, functional and consultative expertise to address core responsibilities, focusing on North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, grid reliability and security. This includes overseeing major and complex problem-resolution assignments while ensuring that all activities align with professional engineering and NERC standards in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner.

Nature and Scope

There are two (2) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience, and qualification requirements:

- Senior:

Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead and/or supervisory capacity.

- Principal:

Subject matter expert/lead/supervisory level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process, such as an interview.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Maintains relationships and coordinates exchange and documentation of information related to engineering modifications and related installations, testing and acceptance between operations, maintenance and engineering functions, supervisors and managers, vendors and contractors, and federal, state and local governmental and regulatory agencies.

- Conducts comprehensive risk assessments related to NERC Reliability Standards, focusing on potential impacts to system reliability and security.

- Evaluates engineering practices, protocols and technologies to ensure compliance with NERC Reliability Standards.

- Reviews results of electric system models, including power flow simulations, transient stability, and fault duty assessment, to evaluate compliance risks.

- Identifies and collaborates with cross-functional teams responsible for developing strategies and mitigating identified risks related to grid reliability and security.

- Provides expert engineering guidance and consultation to stakeholders to ensure understanding and adherence to compliance requirements.

- Develops and maintains documentation related to compliance assessments, including reports, risk evaluations, and recommendations.

- Stays current with updates to NERC Reliability Standards and industry best practices to enhance compliance efforts.

- Facilitates training sessions and workshops to educate staff on compliance requirements and risk mitigation strategies.

- Participates in audits and assessments conducted by regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and resolve any issues that may arise.

- Represents SMUD as a technical engineering expert before public, private, governmental, and regulatory agencies and bodies; makes presentations and project updates to SMUD management, executives, and Board of Directors.

- Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience. If no degree, eleven (11+) years of relevant experience is required.

Required Experience Qualifications

- Seven (7+) or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in utility operations, electrical system design, construction, project management and project engineering to include a responsible lead technical position with NERC compliance.

Knowledge Of

Power and power plant mechanical and electrical systems; various computing platforms and operating software related to engineering data and plant operations; techniques of writing and revising procedures; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing environmental health and health standards; risk management fundamentals and processes; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Prepare and file technical and administrative reports; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, engineering and computer systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering.

- Professional registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of California.

- Five (5+) or more years of experience in a project management role.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Hybrid Work

This position may be eligible for SMUD's remote work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.