Position Summary

The Senior Reliability Specialist primarily supports MRO’s Organization Registration and Certification Program (ORCP). Registration responsibilities include identifying all users, owners, and operators of the Bulk Power System who have a material impact and also maintaining a Compliance Registry list by functional types. Certification activities ensure that entities intending to perform the Reliability Coordinator (RC), Balancing Authority (BA) or Transmission Operator (TOP) functions have the tools, processes, training, and procedures necessary for the duties and tasks identified in and required by the Reliability Standards applicable to the functions for which it is applying. ORCP activities require an understanding of functional relationships and operational agreements between organizations/entities.

Competencies

Connection: Place importance on relationships within MRO, across the ERO Enterprise, and industry as we do our work. Connection allows staff to leverage the expertise of others and appreciate differences.

Curiosity: The foundation for innovation and creating alternatives by being interested and asking questions. Curiosity aids us in exercising the principle of independence and being objective. It is the antidote to bias.

Commitment: Support MRO’s Vision, Mission, and Core Principles that embody our accountability to maintain the public trust as we do our work and use our funding wisely.

Competency: Apply knowledge, expertise, and experience with integrity to produce excellent work while being a thought leader.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead MRO Registration activities including technical analysis, recommendations of changes to the NERC compliance registry, and coordination with other departments regarding registration changes
• Regularly represent and maintain productive relationships with the Electric Reliability Organization Enterprise (ERO Enterprise), registered entities, and other regulators
• Lead MRO and multi-regional Certification activities, including technical analysis and recommendations of changes to the NERC compliance registry
• Aid in the verification of assets in order to maintain an inventory of all BES assets within the MRO region and identify the functional relationships of the asset owners, operators, and users
• Lead Entity Outreach on Registration and Certification activities
• Participate in various ERO working groups and NERC Stakeholder subcommittees such as the Organization Registration and Certification Group (ORCG), and the Organization Registration and Certification Subcommittee (ORCS)
• Present to various MRO Organizational Groups and NERC Committees as needed or requested
• Support the collection and analysis of MRO entity Net Energy for Load and works with MRO’s Finance Department on annual entity assessments for funding
• Support MRO’s Generator Winterization Program including site visits and reviewing Generator Winterization Plans
• Other duties, as assigned

Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical area directly applicable to the reliability and security of the BPS is required
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant power system reliability experience and an understanding of BPS operations and planning is required
• Basic understanding of cyber and physical security, as it relates to utility control systems, is required
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, along with presentation skills to address technical and non-technical individuals is required
• NERC Certifications related to BPS operations, risk management, compliance, and/or security (e.g., NCSO, CRISC, CCEP, CISSP) are desirable
• Experience with the NERC Reliability Standards in a technical environment is desirable

Supervisor Responsibility

• Individual contributor role, no supervisory responsibilities

Physical Working Conditions and Travel Requirements

• Standard office environment, requires mobility and sedentary work
• Travel Requirement: Approximately 20%; this position requires the ability to obtain documentation to allow for travel to and from Canada