Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

We are seeking a highly motivated Lead Compliance Specialist or Lead Compliance Engineer to join our Compliance team. As the Lead Compliance Specialist or Lead Compliance Engineer, your role will:

Be responsible for overseeing the implementation of processes across SPP's corporate-wide programs to ensure compliance with national and regional reliability and commercial business practice standards. This involves analyzing compliance requirements, monitoring activities in real-time, and collaborating with internal and external compliance, operations, and engineering teams.

The role also involves maintaining relationships with SPP members, external audit teams, and industry representatives to ensure compliance requirements are met. You will provide guidance to the Compliance Department staff and work independently.

Specifically, this position will focus on the RTOWE for the SPP Balancing Authority, which includes preparing documents, providing compliance evidence, and overseeing the training of systems and operators during parallel operations of the new Balancing Authority systems. To apply for this position, please visit our website.

Essential Functions:

• Provide direction and leadership to SPP Compliance Department staff, and serve as a consultative expert as needed
• Provide guidance and mentor lower-level Compliance department staff on regulatory responsibilities and compliance-related processes and procedures
• Assist the Manager and Director of the Compliance Department with the development and ongoing practice of relevant Internal Compliance Program initiatives
• Act as the Compliance Department Liaison with relevant business units, establishing a positive rapport with key staff.
• Prepare SPP for compliance audits, Compliance Violation Investigations (CVI), Requests for Information (RFI), readiness evaluations, certifications, etc.
• Provide consultation for education and training programs to enhance the culture of compliance within the organization
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of NERC and other reliability requirements
• Assist the Manager and Director with the coordination of compliance plans, policies and processes by establishing measurable goals, objectives and requirements relative to the SPP Compliance Program
• Lead scheduled, ongoing review of internal compliance readiness and lead internal risk assessments
• Conduct investigations of potential compliance risks/possible violations
• Develop self-reports, mitigation plans, evidence citations and responses to requests for information
• Develop and maintain Compliance oversight controls
• Conduct analysis of SPP governing documents and industry requirements for any NERC-related impacts
• Represent SPP in national, regional, and local forums to further SPP’s compliance interests
• Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior
• Participate in Compliance Forums and SPP Working Groups and present on compliance topics as needed
• Manage special projects as assigned

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work duties and responsibilities. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences, or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

To be successful as the Lead Compliance Specialist or Lead Compliance Engineer, we're looking for a:

Lead Compliance Specialist:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (Two (2) Years of relevant job-related experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement).
• Ten (10) years of industry, compliance, legal experience, or other related experience

Lead Compliance Engineer:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, this degree should:
  • Be from a university that meets the requirements to sit for the Professional Engineering exam (in Arkansas, that is most typically a degree from an ABET accredited university or a graduate degree from a college that has an ABET accreditation),
  • Degree should be in a calculus-based engineering field and preferred degree programs are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Systems Engineering
• 8 years’ of relevant Engineering experience; OR

• 7 years’ of relevant Engineering experience with a Master’s Degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical or Systems Engineering OR

• 6 years’ of relevant Engineering experience with a Doctoral degree in Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering

• A Professional Engineer license is required for this role; however, 12 years’ relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Professional Engineer License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related field

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8: 00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

• This position requires minimal (0--10%) travel.

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we value Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Visit our website to learn more: LINK

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.