Compliance Spec Electrical Engineer -Assoc-Staff

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

El Paso Electric (EPE) is a regional energy provider that is engaged in generation, transmission, and distribution service to power approximately 460,000 customers in a 10,000-square mile area of the Rio Grande Valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico. We invite you to visit epelectric.com to learn more about EPE and our strategic initiatives. Join our EPE Team, and TOGETHER, we will transform the energy landscape.

DATE POSTED: 06/11/25 CLOSING DATE: 06/18/25

GRADE LEVEL: 52-53

DEPARTMENT : RELIABILITY COMPLIANCE

STARTING SALARY: $68,700 - $106,000 Salary is commensurate with experience.

JOB FAMILY SUMMARY PURPOSE:

The Compliance Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that our organization adheres to the standards set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). This role requires a deep understanding of electrical engineering principles, electric utility operations, regulatory requirements, and compliance processes.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering or related degree preferred; or related combination of education, training and experience.
• *Advanced degree, preferred but not required. **NERC Certification, preferred but not required.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3 - 10 years in electric utility industry (or equivalent education) or other industry that is subject to standards development and adherence to work processes

The ideal candidate will have:

• Electrical Engineering knowledge and skills to provide Operations and Planning (O&P) business units audit services and consulting associated with compliance and operational practices.
• Industry knowledge relative to internal control frameworks, standards, best practices, reliability and trust models and guidelines supporting O&P practices.
• Knowledge of internal control competencies relative to O&P applications and emerging practices and technologies.
• Ability to execute and sustain O&P related audits, internal controls, and procedures, including business process mapping and control identification.
• Ability to developing technical audit plans, documenting work papers, providing proper documentation of audit steps performed, gathering evidence and ensuring audit issues are well defined and root causes are identified.
• Ability to make audit conclusions; generating technical recommendations for process improvements; preparing technical written reports and written/oral presentations; supervises conduct of selected projects, provides onsite technical and administrative direction/training, and packaging audit information for review.
• Ability to manage compliance catalog in a software environment by tracking subject matter expert’s (SME) assigned tasks, performance due dates and documentation to maintain compliance posture.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

1. Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to develop and implement compliance programs.
2. Analyze and interpret NERC standards and guidance, providing clarity to technical teams.
3. Able to provide training and support to staff on compliance-related matters.
4. Propensity to participate in the electric utility industry activities that are subject to NERC standards development and adherence to regulatory mandates.
5. Experience/education and training in the electronic management and development of procedures, work plans, technical documents and training materials.
6. Experience/education and training in research and analyzing complex technical data, performing self-audits, audit plans, compliance activities, change assessments, and developing mitigation plans.
7. Knowledge of auditing principles and procedures, and project management.
8. Ability to be client-focused, including being responsive and understanding customer knowledge gaps to develop needed training.
9. Knowledge of GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) systems to continuously monitor compliance activities, operational controls, exceptions, risks, document life cycles, and performance testing to develop reporting metrics, dashboards, and evidence artifacts.
10. Ability to recommend changes and modifications to programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable reliability standards.
11. Ability to effectively manage several concurrent projects and tasks.
12. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software applications.
13. Effective verbal and written communication skills while conducting work in a professional manner.
14. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officers, managers, fellow employees, and the general public.
15. Ability to maintain a strong sense of propriety concerning confidential matters.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Support applicable business units within EPE in identifying, assessing, managing, and reporting compliance with the NERC standards.
2. Analyze large amounts of technical data and structure information for the purposes of clearly documenting, determining, and demonstrating compliance with applicable requirements.
3. Participates in and remains current in NERC, WECC and industry trade group’s standards development, discussions, experience panels, and balloting processes.
4. Monitor changes in NERC regulations and assess their impact on our operations.
5. Participates in training business units on all reliability standards and EPE compliance tools such as compliance tracking software and electronic document database.
6. Preparing for, coordinate and participates in EPE’s audit response teams for both FERC and NERC audits of EPE’s NERC internal compliance program and associated evidence.
7. Manages assigned requirements’ compliance activities through applicable software by leveraging metrics and dashboards to maintain a strong culture of compliance.
8. Communicate technical knowledge and practical compliance advice to a broad audience, including management, various business unit personnel, and leadership to maintain and/or mitigate compliance.
9. Participate in NERC audits, mock audits, operational tabletop or live exercises, and actual events and emergencies to ensure compliance.
10. Prepare and submit compliance reports to regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders.
    
    
11. Evaluate, track, and determine compliance of EPE documentation and performance data and develop reports on compliance progress.
12. Perform self-assessments on EPE’s compliance processes and procedures.
13. Recommend appropriate solutions to address gaps in compliance related materials.
14. Provides compliance recommendations on disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, coordinates and participates in exercises, and actual events.
15. Work closely with cross-functional teams, consultants, engineering, power plant, market operations, legal, and construction, to integrate and resolve NERC compliance considerations into strategic planning, project development, training, and operational processes.
16. Develops compliance materials for all affected business units to include writing of policy and procedures; evidence collection and documentation processes; implementation and continuous improvement of compliance procedures and evidence collection.
17. Maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with the Company’s Driving Program policy.
18. Complies with all applicable Company policies, procedures and code of ethics as well as all applicable governmental laws and regulations to include employment, safety and environmental standards and regulations.

If interested in applying for this position, you must apply on-line by 5:00 PM, June 18, 2025 . (Please scroll back up to the “Apply Now” button