NERC Compliance Specialist - NERC Compliance Specialist Senior

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Enterprise NERC Reliability Assurance (ENRA) team at AEP provides coordination and decision-making authority for NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) compliance obligations. The team leads cross business unit teams, executes process improvements, performs root cause and incident analysis, provides independent oversight and technical support, project and risk management, metrics development, and engagement and outreach. The team operates in a matrix environment that interfaces directly with federal and regional regulators. This position within ENRA will be primarily focused on Oversight and Compliance Management. ENRA NERC Specialist - ENRA NERC Specialist Sr. What You'll Do: Support completion of externally mandated deliverables, including compliance monitoring activities per NERC Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP). Communicate with NERC and/or the Regions to execute CMEP deliverables including maintaining clear records of guidance and action items. Organize processes and procedures to support NERC CMEP functions per the NERC Rules of Procedure. Support Standard managers and subject matter experts (SMEs) in operational Business Units. Develop knowledge of the Standards and communicate with key staff at NERC and/or the Regions to add clarity regarding what is required to demonstrate compliance. Manage submittals for external compliance audits. Additional Items That You May Support: Coordinate the development and maintenance of enterprise-wide interpretations of obligations within the NERC and Regional Standards. Execute assessments of compliance related materials to determine readiness for external compliance audits and provide reasonable assurance of compliance status. Execute assessments of the design and operational effectiveness of reliability and compliance internal controls. Review responses to data requests; analyze data for trends and quality purposes; drive consistency in responses. Review mitigation plans; track milestone execution in response to potential violations of NERC and Regional Reliability Standards. Coordinate process improvement efforts within the team. Participate with other utility stakeholders and industry organizations in the consideration of reliability compliance issues and associated regulatory matters. Participate in industry forums/events to keep current on industry best practices, tools, and technology. Drive organizational alignment through an enterprise-wide approach to achieving a state of audit readiness with each new NERC reliability Standard; contribute in governance-related activities. Execute central reliability compliance training and awareness program; ensure message content consistency and maximize delivery effectiveness. Review emerging NERC developments; Address feedback responses to drafting reviewing, and complying with the NERC Reliability Standards, and other standards. Participate in periodic Regional Entity (RE) and Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) audits, and internal audits as required. Support other ENRA functions as needed.

Requirements

ENRA NERC Specialist Education: Associates degree in business administration, computer science, engineering, or related field, or High School Diploma / GED and two (2) years of experience in compliance and/or Information Technology.
Work Experience requirement listed below: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in addition to any experience noted above
ENRA NERC Specialist Sr. Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, computer science, business, or related field of study; or Associate's degree in one of the aforementioned fields of study and two (2) years of relevant work experience.
Experience: In addition to any experience required above, five (5) years of experience in electric utility or similarly regulated industry.
Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support of Company’s Corporate Compliance policy.
Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and ability to initiate solutions to complex technical issues.
Demonstrate ability to effectively and efficiently develop functional relationships on all levels as well as external partnerships with various regulatory agencies/industry organizations.
Proficient in oral and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate strategy and provide guidance to management and witnesses on case as required.
Proficient in navigating and creating spreadsheets is required.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate deadlines to enable the organization to not miss deadlines.
Occasional travel will be required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree is desirable.
Law Degree is desirable.
Certification or Licensure is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support completion of externally mandated deliverables, including compliance monitoring activities per NERC Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP).
Communicate with NERC and/or the Regions to execute CMEP deliverables including maintaining clear records of guidance and action items.
Organize processes and procedures to support NERC CMEP functions per the NERC Rules of Procedure.
Support Standard managers and subject matter experts (SMEs) in operational Business Units.
Develop knowledge of the Standards and communicate with key staff at NERC and/or the Regions to add clarity regarding what is required to demonstrate compliance.
Manage submittals for external compliance audits.
Coordinate the development and maintenance of enterprise-wide interpretations of obligations within the NERC and Regional Standards.
Execute assessments of compliance related materials to determine readiness for external compliance audits and provide reasonable assurance of compliance status.
Execute assessments of the design and operational effectiveness of reliability and compliance internal controls.
Review responses to data requests; analyze data for trends and quality purposes; drive consistency in responses.
Review mitigation plans; track milestone execution in response to potential violations of NERC and Regional Reliability Standards.
Coordinate process improvement efforts within the team.
Participate with other utility stakeholders and industry organizations in the consideration of reliability compliance issues and associated regulatory matters.
Participate in industry forums/events to keep current on industry best practices, tools, and technology.
Drive organizational alignment through an enterprise-wide approach to achieving a state of audit readiness with each new NERC reliability Standard; contribute in governance-related activities.
Execute central reliability compliance training and awareness program; ensure message content consistency and maximize delivery effectiveness.
Review emerging NERC developments; Address feedback responses to drafting reviewing, and complying with the NERC Reliability Standards, and other standards.
Participate in periodic Regional Entity (RE) and Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) audits, and internal audits as required.
Support other ENRA functions as needed.