ENRA NERC Specialist Analyst / Specialist

This position is within the Enterprise NERC Reliability Assurance (ENRA) team at AEP, which provides central coordination and decision-making authority for NERC compliance obligations across the enterprise. This position may include several the following responsibilities: leading cross business-unit teams, executing process improvements, root cause and incident analysis, providing independent oversight and technical support to ensure the adequacy of controls and associated evidence, project management, engagement and outreach, risk management, and metrics development. Additional responsibilities include, staying current on changing NERC standards and rules, developing company-wide positions with internal stakeholders, and advocating those positions externally as appropriate. The position requires expert-level knowledge and engagement within the ever-evolving NERC reliability and security regulatory environment. This job family requires coordination with multiple business units in a matrix environment and interfaces directly with federal and regional regulators. This job family is a career progression opportunity for related business-unit NERC compliance job families.

Compliance Management is responsible for consistently managing processes associated with AEP’s interaction with our NERC regulators, including audit management, RFI responses, incident investigations, root cause analysis, and development of Mitigation Plans. Compliance Management is responsible for telling AEP’s story to the NERC regulators, maintaining a positive relationship while helping AEP to adapt to the constantly changing regulatory landscape.

• NERC CMEP management - Support completion of externally mandated deliverables, including compliance monitoring activities per NERC Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP). Coordinate processes and procedures to support the NERC CMEP functions per the NERC Rules of Procedure. This would include activities such as: preparing and submitting responses to data requests, analyzing large amounts of data for trending and data quality purposes, driving consistency in responses from across the enterprise. This would also include facilitating enterprise-wide audits and other monitoring activities (e.g., spot checks, guided self-certifications, investigations), and creating relationships with regulators throughout these engagements. Additionally, supporting AEP’s NERC registrations with the region.
• Incident Management - Execute investigations, write self-reports, draft mitigation plans, and track milestone execution in response to potential violations of NERC and Regional Reliability Standards. A key part of those efforts is supporting Responsible Leaders and Subject Matter Experts in operational Business Units. These duties require a questioning attitude, written and verbal communications, and an ability to analyze root causes associated with the events.

• Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree in one of the aforementioned fields

• Entry level - open to train

• Three (3) years of experience in the 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