Electric Reliability Operations & Planning Compliance Program Manager

Job Description:

Electric Reliability Operations & Planning Compliance Program Manager

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Under limited supervision, this position functions as a compliance professional with respect to Electric Industry Reliability Standards, Market Rules, and Operating Guides promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) as it relates to energy market operations, generation, transmission and distribution services (aka O&P Reliability Requirements). This position manages and oversees activities to assist work groups in complying with these O&P Reliability Requirements.

Job Description:

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

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

• Monitors and interprets NERC Reliability Standards as it pertains to the Operations and Planning (O&P) functions, as well as State, Regional and Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., FERC, ERCOT, Texas RE, PUCT) governing Electric Utility operations.
• Tracks proposed changes to standards and regulations and coordinates internal responses to proposed rulemakings or standards’ revisions with appropriate Austin Energy Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to allow timely comment or voting on such matters. Drafts comments to the applicable regulatory authorities.
• Leads cross-functional teams to ensure enterprise-wide compliance with O&P Reliability Requirements .
• Manages and maintains a comprehensive compliance program for O&P Reliability Requirements. Maintains a compliance calendar and ensures timely execution of compliance obligations. Oversees the development, review, and approval of internal controls, written policies and procedures necessary for compliance.
• Assists in developing and maintaining compliance monitoring systems and programs regarding compliance, including processes for self-reporting non-compliance events. Assists work groups with standards and regulatory rules implementation.
• Coordinates responses to requests for information, audits, spot checks, and other compliance monitoring activities.
• Assists the Reliability Compliance Director in managing and leading the internal and external audit processes required to maintain consistent standards to assist in compliance.
• Advises the Reliability Compliance Director on the state of the company's O&P Reliability Requirements compliance.
• Represents Austin Energy in Reliability Requirement development activities and informs appropriate staff of Reliability Requirements changes and initiatives.
• Manages regional certification and registration process for Austin Energy .
• Develops and implements internal processes to assist in compliance with Reliability Requirements and codes of conduct.
• Monitors and reports on compliance violations. Conducts compliance investigations and develops mitigation plans for potential violations.
• Promotes a culture of compliance across the organization. Develops and delivers training programs for Operations & Planning compliance expectations.
• Participates in industry working groups, standards drafting teams, or compliance forums. Stays informed of best practices and emerging compliance trends.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for discharge.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of NERC O&P Reliability Requirements and PUCT Rulemaking and Codes of Conduct.
• Knowledge of ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides.
• Knowledge of systems used to forecast, evaluate, monitor, and control the transmission grid and generation resources.
• Knowledge of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality management requirements.
• Knowledge of Electric utility transmission and generation planning and operations.
• Knowledge of electric industry operations and evolving national and Texas regulatory developments.
• Knowledge of utility financial practices, including budget preparation, financial, regulatory and managerial accounting practices.
• Knowledge of systems used to forecast, evaluate, and transact business in the electric industry.
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication, including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in handling conflict resolution.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Skill in project management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of experience working in a field related to the job.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the job may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Valid Class C Texas Driver License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in NERC or ERCOT compliance related to an electric utility
• Experience participating in or leading a NERC audit
• Experience supervising or leading a team of professionals in a field related to electric utilities
• Technical expertise in a field related to reliability compliance: generation operations, transmission operations, transmission planning, protection engineering, transmission engineering, generation engineering, or energy market operations
• Professional Engineering License
• Project Management/Program Management/PMP certification
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including SharePoint and document management systems

Notes to Candidate:

Under limited supervision, the Operations & Planning (O&P) Compliance Program Manager functions as a compliance professional with respect to electric industry reliability standards, market rules, and operating guides governing transmission, generation and market operations services (O&P Reliability Requirements) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT). This role will manage a team of Compliance Analysts to support work-groups and oversee compliance activities across the organization to implement NERC standards, ERCOT market rules and guides and PUCT rule-making.

Work Location: AE HQ, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm,

*Hours may vary depending upon business needs

Pay Range:

Min $112,600 to Mid $144,700

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  

Assessments:

• Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.
  

CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK:
The top candidate will be subject to a minimum 7 year criminal history background check.

ERCOT
This position requires the use of an ERCOT Digital Certificate (EDC) and therefore will require a Security Review to determine if the candidate meets all the requirements for issuance of the EDC.

NERC
This position will require a NERC Clearance.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-12-30