Sr. Engineer, Regulatory Compliance

The primary role of this position is to provide engineering and compliance expertise in connection with OPC's ERO Compliance Program, including CIP Standards.

• This will involve coordination with plant personnel to complete plant validation testing in accordance with ERO requirements (e.g., real, reactive, excitation, and other tests), as well as monitoring compliance with maintenance requirements outlined in ERO Standards.
• Provide technical expertise to assist in maintaining, updating or creating ERO program documents, updating, developing, and facilitating training programs, developing and maintaining compliance monitoring and tracking systems, and providing support to the plants for testing and reporting requirements.
• Responsible for responses to regulatory inquiries, FERC/NERC/SERC advisories, providing comments on proposed new and revised standards, and periodic data submittals as required by SERC and NERC.
• Provide engineering support to capital projects development teams to ensure the design and construction of new plants are consistent with ERO standards.

Job Duties:

• Develop and certify all technical content to meet NERC Reliability Standards related to GO and GOP. Methods employed include physical testing, validations, or confirmations of existing data for all of OPC's generation and power supply assets. This will include coordination with OPC's Plant Management, OPC's Technical Services, and other Subject Matter Experts as needed. Ensure OPC is fully compliant with plant performance and maintenance requirements as outlined in NERC Standards.
• Provide technical expertise to assist in the creation and maintenance of ERO documentation, which includes Procedures, Guidelines, and Policies (PGPs), Plant Level Procedures (PLPs), Technical Services Plant Procedures (TSPP), and OPC Operations and Technical Services Handbooks. Continuously improve and update OPC's Internal Controls Program.
• Prepare engineering analysis regarding how new or revised Reliability Standards relate to OPC's generation assets. Provide recommendations to any resultant process or operational changes that OPC should implement in order to comply with Reliability Standards. Develop recommendations regarding the effect current or proposed Reliability Standards might have on the proposed development of generation assets.
• Create and implement NERC-required training programs using the Learning Management System for plant personnel. Provide in-person training at the plants for NERC standards and the Operations Handbook when necessary.
• Conduct or participate in compliance audits.
• Responsible for the development and accuracy of the technical content contained in data submittals and reports to BA, RC, TP, TOP, or other entities, and for responses to FERC/NERC advisories, submittals, and other communications affecting GO, GOP, as necessary for OPC to maintain full compliance.
• Interface with technical staff in GSOC and GTC to ensure the fulfillment of contractual agreements between OPC and GTC/GSOC.
• Interface with compliance staff in GSOC and GTC to ensure proper coordination for NERC balloting efforts and updates to compliance-related activities within the FOC.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Experience: 10+ years of experience in the electric utility industry, plus 5 years of direct experience with FERC/NERC ERO Standards. The ideal candidate would have experience in power generation as well as a general working knowledge of power system operations, transmission, and an understanding of power systems engineering. Previous experience in a compliance oversight role with FERC/NERC ERO Standards is desirable.

Specialized Skills:

• Proficiency with the suite of Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
• Experience with Maximo Work Orders and Preventive Maintenance functions,
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, and interacting with all levels of the organization are essential.
• Understanding of electric system engineering technical issues and operations as they relate to the application of NERC Reliability Standards.

Licenses, Registrations, and/or Certifications: Among the licenses and/or certifications that could be considered useful for this position: Engineering licenses (EIT, PE)

Travel: 20%

Unusual hours: Occasional travel to plants, extended schedule, including weekends and evenings, according to the demands of the role and tasks.