Associate Risk Assessment And Mitigation Engineer

Be a Part of Something that Matters

At WECC, we enhance the lives of 80 million people by identifying and mitigating risks to the bulk power system (BPS) in the West. The Risk Assessment and Mitigation Engineer analyzes the facts and circumstances associated with potential noncompliance to determine the risk to the reliability and security of the BPS. This person also works with registered entities (electric utilities) to implement mitigation plans. The Risk Assessment and Mitigation Engineer reviews BPS events such as energy management system (EMS) failures, loss of generation or load, and non-convergence of State Estimator (SE) and Real-Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA) models.

The Risk Assessment and Mitigation Engineer serves as a subject matter expert to other WECC departments and registered entities and delivers presentations at workshops, webinars, and conferences about the application of Operations and Planning (O&P) standards to transmission facilities, generation facilities, and control center operations.

You will—

• Apply technical knowledge to evaluate the data and circumstances for possible non-compliances to determine the risk presented to the BPS.
• Work directly with registered entities to collect information to support analyses and to develop mitigation plans.
• Review and validate completion of mitigation plans as submitted by registered entities.
• Review BPS Events from a compliance perspective.
• Assist with Inherent Risk Assessments (IRA) of entities used to develop risk-based compliance monitoring plans, particularly transmission and generation operations and maintenance.
• Help develop outreach materials to help registered entities implement O&P requirements.
• Participate in Internal Controls Evaluation projects with registered entities.
• Support intra-departmental initiatives with the Enforcement and O&P Audit teams.

Perform other duties related to the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program (CMEP) as assigned or required and coordinate with standards drafting teams on improvements to standards.

You will enjoy this role if you have—

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, or have an equivalent combination of education and related industry experience resulting in a demonstrated ability to perform major duties.
• At least one year of relevant industry experience in two or more of the following areas:
  • Transmission system operation working as a system operator;
  • EMS engineering;
  • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) modeling;
  • Transmission planning;
  • Substation design and maintenance;
  • Transmission line design and maintenance; and
  • Protection system maintenance and design.
• Technical knowledge of factors involved in operating and monitoring the BPS.
• The ability to:
  • Carry out a wide range of complex analyses, reports, and investigations concerning operations and maintenance of the BPS;
  • Present research, findings, and recommendations, both orally and in writing, to a diverse audience of technical and non-technical professionals;
  • Give clear, comprehensive reports and present findings and recommendations to a diverse audience of professionals; and
  • Work effectively in teams.
• A willingness to adapt to the changes in processes and continuously improve.

You are an EXCELLENT candidate if you have—

• An understanding of the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement processes, including Risk Assessments;
• Knowledge of NERC compliance standards and monitoring or implementation of these standards;
• Knowledge of the electric industry, electric power generation, transmission, and power system reliability;
• Industry certifications such as PMP, CIA, CGAP, PE, and CRM;
• Knowledge of the business and operational functions of an electric utility and familiarity with the risks and controls of these functions; and
• Knowledge of operational risk management and operational process mapping.

At WECC we—

• Seek information and ask for help,
• Are accountable,
• Embrace the challenges and rewards of change,
• Treat everyone as a colleague,
• Pursue continuous learning, and
• Focus on results over completing activities.

Benefits and Compensation

The base salary range for this full-time position is $71,255 - $89,069 + discretionary pay + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will share more details during the hiring process.

WECC offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan, and generous paid personal time.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive, is fundamental to accomplishing our critical reliability and security mission.

We foster an organizational culture that values the visible and invisible qualities that make individuals who they are. When individuals bring their whole selves to work, without apprehension, we, as WECC, will meet our mission now and in the future.

                                                                                                                                         ***

                                                                                                             Be a part of something that matters!