Compliance Analyst

About the role

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network. VELCO is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Compliance Analyst to support our NERC Compliance Program and help protect the reliability and security of Vermont's electric transmission system. In this role, you will work across the organization to ensure compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards, strengthen internal controls, support regulatory audits, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce risk and support grid reliability.

Responsibilities

• Functions as an internal expert for NERC Reliability Standards, controls, and best practices for both Operations and Planning (O&P) and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.
• Ensures the NERC Compliance Program strategy, program documentation, procedures, and evidence are aligned and consistent.
• Develops, implements, and maintains internal controls to ensure regulatory adherence.
• Reviews standards in development, coordinates with departments ensuring appropriate processes are in place to track/monitor for implementation, and facilitate Subject Matter Expert(s) in the development of new or updated program documentation.
• Collaborates with Subject Matter Expert(s) in developing department process maps associated with NERC reliability standards.
• Participates in and leads internal incident investigations with other Compliance team members (Learning Opportunities) to identify areas of improvement and potential area(s) of noncompliance with a focus on NERC compliance.
• Develops and tracks mitigations plans including subtasks and timelines to completion.
• Participates in internal assessments (and leads when designated by Manager, NERC Compliance), to identify, document and implement process improvements focused on ensuring programmatic improvements and regulatory compliance, including identifying risks/weaknesses and proposing actions to eliminate and/or mitigate the impacts of potential risks.
• Develops and delivers training for employees on applicable compliance obligations and their roles and responsibilities.
• Participates in periodic audits performed by NPCC to assess VELCO’s compliance with NERC reliability standards.
• Leads responses to regulatory self-certifications, quarterly MIDAS submittals, and audit or self-reports/self-log RFIs including assembly and responses with Subject Matter Expert(s).
• Serves as the Compliance staff liaison with NPCC regulators on self-logs and self-reports.
• Serves as the Compliance staff liaison between other departments (Information Security, Planning Department, Engineering, HR Department, and Physical Security).
• Collaborates with other employees in maintaining the GRC tool to track/monitor compliance with the NERC Reliability Standards.
• Develop GRC evidence schedules and surveys to support mitigation activities.
• Identify gaps in processes, controls, or documentation and recommend improvements to strengthen compliance and reduce risk.
• Participate in NERC, North American Transmission Forum (NATF), and other workshops deemed acceptable and necessary to build credibility and knowledge.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education & Training: A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, the sciences, law, mathematics or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.

Experience: A minimum of three years of professional experience in a Compliance function, or in a technical role in an area such as Operations or Planning, with significant responsibility for meeting compliance standards.

Work Environment: Collaborative, cross-functional team environment; open office setting and dog friendly; opportunity to work closely with engineering, IT, operations, and human resources; mission-driven organization supporting critical energy infrastructure.

Physical/Mental Demands: Must be able to perform typical administrative functions which may involve long periods of keyboarding and periodically of scanning, filing, copying, etc.; must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex, analytical work, in potentially stressful situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions; must be able to work additional hours when necessary; periodic travel and overnight stays will be required when attending industry