Reliability Standards & Compliance Program Manager II

The Reliability Standards and Compliance (RSC) Program Manager is accountable to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for the successful execution of responsibilities in furtherance of NYPA’s North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards Compliance program as set forth in Corporate Policies CP 10-4 and CP 2-9 and performing specific compliance tasks identified in Business Unit Policies and Procedures that support Corporate Policies CP 10-4 and CP 2-9. 

The Reliability Standards and Compliance (RSC) Program Manager is the owner for activities related to the reliability standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) across various departments within NYPA including; engineering, asset management, operations, corporate security, information services, training, human resources, commercial services, and others to ensure compliance with standards.  This role provides oversight of the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and procedures related to specific groups of NERC reliability standards which may include operational, engineering, or planning functions that are performed by departments throughout Operations as well as other Corporate departments.  Ensures the reliability-related policies, standards and guidelines are aligned with the company's strategic business objectives.  Manages and coordinates staff that is required to support the program

• Understand, communicate, provide input, coordinate, and/or implement specific elements of the NERC Reliability Standards Compliance program as defined in Business Unit Policies and Procedures established to support Corporate Policies CP 10-4 and CP 2-9.
• Perform a compliance assurance role verifying and validating that the compliance evidence (documents and data) developed, maintained, and provided by NYPA’s Compliance Evidence Managers (Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)) for the applicable NERC reliability standards, as assigned, is adequate to demonstrate NYPA’s compliance with the standards for annual self-certification as well as for audits conducted by NYPA’s Regional Reliability Organization, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC).
• Ensure compliance with all corporate policies and business unit policies and procedures related to NERC reliability program management and any changes in policies, procedures, and/or practices are implemented to maintain NYPA’s compliance with the standards.
• Establish program goals, objectives, and performance criteria; establish and track performance measures and metrics for assigned reliability standards. Drive standards development and enforce activities related to the NERC reliability standards and report potential impacts on the business to senior management.
• Responsibilities for Assigned Group(s) of NERC Standards:
  • Manage the quarterly review process, if applicable.
  • Manage and maintain the RSC SharePoint Workspace as the official NERC compliance evidence repository for NYPA.
  • Conduct compliance evidence assurance reviews prior to all NPCC self-certifications.
  • Lead compliance investigations of possible violation concerns, develop investigation reports, and investigation closure documentation including submittal of self-reports as required in accordance with applicable NYPA procedures.
  • Actively participate in the NERC Reliability Standards Development Process:
    • Work with Compliance Evidence Managers to assess impacts to NYPA of modifications to existing or the adoption of new NERC reliability standards.
    • Review and comment on reliability standards pursuant to NYPA’s procedure for participating in the NERC and NPCC process for modifying existing or developing new standards (i.e. participate in NPCC and NERC development teams and task force teams).
  • Monitor NERC’s and NPCC’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Programs for their applicability to NYPA.
  • Provide assistance to internal subject matter experts with interpretations on technical reliability standards requirements and actions and processes to ensure compliance. Participate in the following internal meetings/committees with regard to strengthening NYPA compliance processes:
    • Power Apparatus Committee
    • Operations Committee
    • Transmission Maintenance Committee
    • Protective Relay Committee
    • Asset and Work Management Committee
  • Assist in management of compliance enforcement actions including, but not limited to, mitigation plans, procedures, and responses to formal compliance inquiries.
  • Assist in the implementation of RSC’s Compliance Out Reach Education Program to ensure that the NYPA staffs fully understands roles and responsibilities required to ensure compliance with the applicable NERC Reliability Standards and NPCC Directories and Criteria.
  • Assist in the formal filing and records management of regulatory documents related to compliance. Ensure consistent use of SharePoint, Content Server and other software for document management

Responsibiities continued in the 'Other' section below

• Ability to conduct technical assessments involving review and interpretation of design documents for applicability to technical reliability standards.
• Skill and aptitude for use of electronic data and document management systems (e.g. Microsoft SharePoint).
• Ability to work closely with the Director RSC and VP Enterprise Resilience to implement the vision and direction for all groups within the Enterprise Resilience department.
• Strong technical knowledge in generation, bulk transmission system engineering, planning, design and operations in order to evaluate detailed oriented documents or materials to support compliance.
• Familiarity with the NERC’s Reliability Standards; the Northeast Power Coordinating Council’s (NPCC) Regional Standards Directories and Criteria; and the New York State Reliability Council (NYSRC) Rules.
• Knowledge of the NYISO market operations and rules.
• Knowledge of protection systems and associated maintenance/testing programs.
• Knowledge of cyber assets, physical security, and electronic security practices.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of NYPA organizational operations across all departments with NERC Compliance responsibilities.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the NERC governance process including standards development and compliance program initiatives.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of NPCC compliance auditing, standards development, and violation processing.
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships within the industry and with internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional team attitude and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent planning, organization and presentation skills in order to communicate to all audience levels

• Bachelors of Science Degree or higher in a technical or quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with utility or energy sector business practices, including developing operations and/or maintenance policies and procedures, preferably in a power generation or transmission environment.

• Approximately 15% travel throughout New York State to NYPA’s operating facilities, NPCC meetings, and industry seminars/working groups.