Regulatory Coordinator Generation

For over 75 years, SMUD has been a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, delivering safe, reliable electricity at affordable rates. Serving Sacramento since 1946, our commitment to the community drives us to lead in clean energy and environmental stewardship. Our Upper American River Project (UARP), with its reservoirs and powerhouses, supplies about 20% of our customer demand, playing a vital role in ensuring system reliability and operational flexibility.

The UARP plays a crucial role in providing operational flexibility, reliable service, and affordable energy. Protecting this important infrastructure is a top priority. Our Dam Safety Program works closely with multiple teams to ensure we meet all federal and state requirements, including those from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). Led by our Chief Dam Safety Engineer, the program takes a comprehensive, team-based approach to protect public safety, property, and the environment.

We're seeking a highly detail-oriented Regulatory Coordinator to join our hydro operations team and lead regulatory compliance efforts for SMUD's dams and hydropower facilities. In this role, you will work independently and collaborate with dam safety engineers and others to develop, manage, and continually improve a comprehensive compliance documentation and record-keeping program, utilizing corporate information management systems such as Microsoft SharePoint and SAP. Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision are essential to success in this position. This position is located at Fresh Pond (approximately 50 miles east of Sacramento, 15 miles east of Placerville, off Highway 50).

By joining us, you'll make a meaningful impact, helping technical experts ensure our dam safety program meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. If you're organized, proactive, and passionate about safety and compliance, we'd love to hear from you.

Purpose

Coordinates the development and implementation of a comprehensive regulatory compliance program for SMUD’s Power Generation assets. Ensures that all necessary documents meet regulatory requirements and serves as the key contact for all compliance-related interactions, both internally and with external agencies.

Nature and Scope

Oversee regulatory compliance for all power generation assets, including thermal, gas, hydro, and renewables. Provide functional expertise to ensure adherence to standards and regulations.

Key responsibilities:

- Compliance leadership: Direct, plan and monitor compliance activities across all asset types.

- Expertise and direction: Act as a subject matter expert for key regulatory bodies, including FERC, NERC, DSOD, and CEC.

- Risk management: Proactively manage compliance issues, adapting to new and revised standards for all assigned areas, including dam safety, gas pipelines, and nuclear operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

HYDRO/DAM SAFETY

Compliance

- Oversee the regulatory compliance program for SMUD's hydropower assets, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations, including FERC Part 12 and DSOD requirements.

- Monitor regulatory changes and manage timely responses to agency inquiries.

- Serve as the primary liaison to external agencies (e.g., FERC, DSOD, ACE), interpreting regulations and coordinating all necessary reporting and filings.

Program and Data Management

- Develop, implement and maintain program procedures, policies and systems to support dam safety operations.

- Manage project documentation and archiving processes, ensuring records are organized, accessible and audit ready.

- Safeguard Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII) and other sensitive data.

Emergency Coordination and Training

- Serve as the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Coordinator, ensuring its development, review and update based on drills and real incidents.

- Coordinate training to promote staff awareness of safety and compliance protocols.

- Schedule emergency drills and coordinate with internal and external agencies to ensure readiness.

Audits and Corrective Actions

- Coordinate internal and external audits and inspections.

- Manage the implementation of corrective actions and ensure timely completion.

Required Education

- Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience.

Required Experience Qualifications

- Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in compliance, engineering, maintenance, operation, or construction activities related to power generation or relevant field.

Required Licenses/Certificates

- Valid California Drivers License.

Knowledge Of

- Comprehensive understanding of hydro/dam safety, gas pipeline, NERC, and nuclear regulations, along with proficiency in project and contract management, economic and environmental analysis, and contractor oversight, and electric generation technologies.

Skills To

Interpersonal Skills

- Build and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally.

- Influence and coordinate work across departments and with external stakeholders (staff, contractors, consultants).

- Motivate and gain cooperation from diverse technical and non-technical teams.

Decision Making

- Evaluate data, identify key factors, and weigh costs/benefits to make informed decisions.

- Resolve complex, multi-priority problems across internal and external entities.

Technical Acumen

- Interpret regulations and data sources.

- Demonstrate strong technical reporting.

- Prepare statistical, analytical reports and presentations.

- Provide operational training and implement procedural/system improvements.

- Utilize relevant software, including standard office applications (SAP, Word, Excel).

Communication

- Communicate complex information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, adapting to the audience.

- Demonstrate strong communication and organizational abilities.

- Develop and deliver effective oral presentations.

- Interpret and assess verbal/written information.

- Resolve customer issues and concerns effectively.

Desirable Qualifications

- Experience working specifically in dam safety or hydropower regulatory compliance

- Familiarity with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 18 CFR Part 12 regulations and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) requirements

- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively managing multiple priorities and deadlines

- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring thorough review, accuracy, and compliance with dam safety regulations and standards

- Experience utilizing Microsoft SharePoint and SAP platforms to develop, manage, and optimize information management systems for regulatory compliance and information sharing

- Proven ability to coordinate audits, inspections, and implement corrective actions successfully

- Strong skills in developing and managing compliance documentation and information management systems, including safeguarding sensitive information

- Experience identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing solutions with minimal supervision

- Excellent communicator who can effectively liaise with regulatory agencies and cross-departmental teams

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 hybrid (office/home) 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 hybrid 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.