Responsible for assisting the Transmission Maintenance functional area with regulatory compliance. Responsible for the review, development and preparation of evidence that documents and demonstrates Tri-State's compliance with North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) standards, policies, practices, and procedures as they apply to transmission facilities. Also responsible for the development of all transmission compliance related training material provided to field personnel, keeping it updated, and providing required training for the transmission maintenance staff.

The job grade for this position is: NB22

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides and excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Transmission Reliability Compliance Analyst

Hiring Salary Range: $93,000-$116,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Make necessary additions, deletions, and updates to transmission maintenance standards, intervals, policies, practices and procedures to ensure that they are in compliance with NERC, Western Electricity Coordinator Council (WECC) and Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO) Standards.
• Responsible for maintenance of all Tri-State Transmission maintenance standards.
• Participate in the review process of Transmission Equipment Maintenance Manuals to include; Transmission Lines, Substation, and Telecom Equipment. Revise the Protection System Maintenance Program (PSMP) as needed.
• Update and maintain evidence databases, performing internal routine spot audits and performing reviews of submitted compliance data for accuracy and system-wide consistency. Develop and implement ongoing mock audit plans.
• Assist with organizing, maintaining and changing documentation, as necessary, to provide evidence that transmission facilities are in compliance with NERC/WECC/MRO Standards.
• Coordinate the preparation of transmission maintenance staff for on-site compliance audits including tutoring of personnel participating in the audit process.
• Develop all transmission compliance related training material and a training plan for field personnel. Assist with on-going related training to Transmission personnel on Tri-State transmission system maintenance practices and procedures.
• Assist with the preparation of documentation required to support company responses to NERC/WECC/MRO table top audits, spot checks and on-site Audits as they relate to transmission facilities.
• Participate in electric industry regulatory committees and work groups as necessary.
• Monitor electric industry regulatory organizations and disseminate pertinent information to appropriate staff.
• Evaluate reliability compliance processes within Transmission, assess their effectiveness, and provide recommendations for improvements. Develop improved data gathering, storage, and analysis to reduce costs and improve effectiveness of Transmissions compliance efforts.
• Work closely with transmission maintenance staff and cyber access control and physical access control groups regarding transmissions identified as critical assets, in accordance with critical asset identification methodology, to ensure affected transmission systems are in compliance with appropriate critical assets protection standards and requirements.
• Assist with initiating, developing, implementing and maintaining specific policies and procedures that are required for critical asset protection evidence of compliance.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State's culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State's culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform other related duties as assigned

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Planning: ability to think ahead and plan within timelines and resources; develop scopes, plan and schedule work; set priorities and goals; anticipate and adjust for problems; evaluate workloads; measure and evaluate performance against established goals.
• Time management: ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to make analytical and interpretive decisions that may have strategic and tactical impacts, adapt guidelines to specific situations and evaluate alternatives prior to making recommendations and ensure compliance with related regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how his/her decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Computer proficiency in operating a personal computer and standard business office applications including Microsoft Office suite, databases, and other related applications and related systems.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training:

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline, attainment of Journey level status in a related power transmission system maintenance technician position, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Ability to prepare and deliver detailed training material.
• Ability to read test reports for multiple disciplines to determine accuracy, with an emphasis on protection systems, batteries, telecommunications, and related systems and equipment. Ability to prepare and deliver training material.
• Advanced knowledge of the use and application of electric utility industry codes, standards, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to determine how regulations apply to Tri-State Substation, Telecom and Line functional areas.
• Ability to evaluate existing systems, processes, testing and data requirements, for compliance.
• Ability to work within the individual transmission disciplines to make necessary modification as required.
• Ability to produce professional documentation used for training others.
• Ability to organize own work and the work of others to achieve goals and expectations.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and business office applications including MSWord, Excel, Outlook, and other related business office applications and software.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of experience in electric power transmission maintenance including experience with equipment and facilities.

Other:

• Willingness to travel, as required. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with data management systems -C including Cascade and Powerbase/RTS.
• Strong knowledge of either transmission line, substation, protection or telecommunications equipment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit for long periods of time, occasionally stand, walk, stoop, bend, and reach above and below shoulder level. Incumbent is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, talk and hear. Incumbent may also be required to lift up to 50 lbs. which may include moving equipment and materials.
• Mental demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is required to perform a variety of compliance and training duties requiring research, document and training materials development, and technical and organizational skills. Incumbent is required to communicate in a variety of medias, interface with transmission maintenance staff, and other job related contacts. Incumbent is required to exercise judgment and initiative in developing, implementing and coordinating compliance efforts with appropriate transmission maintenance personnel. Incumbent must utilize judgment, consistency and discretion in adapting guidelines including government regulations, technical procedures, and corporate policies, programs and procedures. Incumbent must be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is exposed to typical office environment conditions as well as outdoor in-the-field conditions. Indoor work is performed at a desk, operating office equipment. Outdoor work may involve traveling to various power transmission field facilities such as substations, transmission lines and telecommunication sites to perform work related to regulatory compliance matters. Outdoor work involves working in various weather conditions and remote locations.