Manager, Enforcement (Attorney)

Manager, Enforcement (Attorney)

Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. (Texas RE) is hiring! We are seeking an experience Manager, Enforcement to join our Enforcement Team. Here you will oversee the analysis of possible violations of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards (Standards) by registered entities and the final disposition of alleged violations in a consistent manner. 

Who We Are

At Texas RE, we affect the lives of millions of people by ensuring effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the Bulk Power System within the ERCOT Interconnection. The ERCOT Interconnection is located within the State of Texas and includes approximately 90% of Texas’s electric load and 75% of its land area. Texas RE’s teams support this mission while enjoying a flexible work environment, open collaboration, and a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Considered candidates will be required to reside in the Austin-metro area or be able to reliably commute to the office within a reasonable amount of time.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:

• Licensed attorney with 8-10 years of experience in a regulatory field, preferably utilities, or equivalent industry experience 
• Minimum of three years of experience managing employees or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience managing programs or processes or equivalent experience.
• Must be skilled in persuasive writing.
• Written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills.

• Broad overview of the Bulk Electric System and its regulatory environment.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Manager, Enforcement (Manager) oversees the analysis of possible violations of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards (Standards) by registered entities and the final disposition of alleged violations in a consistent manner. 

The position works under the direction of the Director, Enforcement with minimal supervision. The Manager oversees Enforcement staff in the resolution of potential noncompliance issues generally associated with streamlined disposition methods or equivalent, as well as manages processes and procedures associated with the Enforcement Department.  The Manager may be assigned to multiple, diverse projects concurrently and in a different capacity as needs dictate.

Essential Job Duties

• Manages processes for the review and assessment of potential noncompliance in accordance with NERC’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program.
• Reviews recommended enforcement dispositions likely to be processed as through streamlined disposition methods or as assigned.
• Assists in the initial triage review of possible noncompliance instances in coordination with Director, Enforcement.
• Reviews noncompliance determinations; ensures consistent and fair determinations among Registered Entities and across Regional Entities.
• Oversees processes for the continued monitoring of active Mitigation Plans and closure of completed Mitigation Plans to ensure noncompliance is corrected in a timely and effective manner for assigned dispositions.
• Assists with the management of the overall caseload of noncompliance issues and manages assignments of those issues.
• Prioritizes processing of streamlined noncompliance issues, and assigns issues appropriately in consultation with Director, Enforcement. 
• Establishes accurate and well-communicated procedures, including processes for reporting and tracking issue dispositions.
• Prepares reports to document NERC compliance assessments for Texas RE’s Board of Directors.
• Approves violation notices to registered entities concerning assessments.
• Exercises sound, independent judgment regarding all compliance and oversight issues.
• Provides expertise to department members and other Texas RE departments on subject matter or enforcement processes. 
• Facilitates training for staff.
• Coordinates with NERC Legal and Enforcement staff.
• Reviews enforcement records for sufficiency.
• Reviews incoming FERC orders and provides guidance as assigned.
• Provide strategic and/or legal input. 
• Authors, edits or compiles, and then submits any required compliance filings to NERC or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
• Ensures that the complete and final record is submitted to NERC.
• Manages presentations and communicates program requirements through informational meetings, stakeholder outreach, board presentations or other venues as appropriate, including fostering collaboration with registered entities and other Regions.
• Interviews and selects potential employees for positions within the group.
• Represents Texas RE on working groups and committees.
• Assists with the development of budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with 8-10 years of experience in a regulatory field, preferably utilities, or equivalent industry experience 
• Minimum of three years of experience managing employees or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience managing programs or processes or equivalent experience.
• Ability to gain comprehensive understanding of the design and limitation of the electric power system through reading of technical reports and reliability standards.
• Must be skilled in persuasive writing.
• Broad overview of the Bulk Electric System and its regulatory environment.
• General knowledge of corporate issues.
• Written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills.
• Technical comprehension.
• Organizational skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

Preferred Job Qualifications

•  Admitted to practice by the State Bar of Texas.
• Bachelors’ degree (technical or engineering degree desired) or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience with NERC Reliability Standards.

Supervision

•  Reports to the Director, Enforcement and Registration

Company Highlights and Benefits

Employees work a hybrid work schedule consisting of at least two days in the office with the option of working three days remotely. Additional in-office work may be required depending on project scopes. Additionally, employees have the option to take advantage of Flexible Friday, where employees may shift working hours to earlier in the week instead of on Friday afternoon.

Texas RE pays 100% of employee-only coverage for medical, dental, vision, life and ADD, short­–term and long-term disability, and long-term care insurance, as well as the employee assistance program. Additional benefits are offered at a minimal cost to the employee such as dependent medical, dental, voluntary life and ADD for employees, spouses, and children, additional long-term care coverage for family members, legal services and identity protection.

Texas RE provides a generous 401(k) or Roth 401(k) savings plan for employees, contributing 10% of an employee’s compensation towards the retirement plan with full vesting after three (3) 

years. Additionally, Texas RE will match 75%, up to 6%, of employee contributions, with vesting at 20% per year and full vesting at five (5) years of employment. 

Additional Information for Applicants

• Background checks (including criminal history and drug screening, education and employment verification) will be conducted prior to employment.
• Certain positions require travel outside the U.S.; valid passport necessary for those positions.
• Texas RE has restrictions on employee and employee’s household members’ employment and financial relationships with NERC registered entities. Additional details furnished upon request.

Texas RE is committed to attracting top talent from a diverse candidate pool. During the interview process, candidates will meet with a cross-section of Texas RE employees who bring 

a broad set of perspectives to the discussion. Our inclusive, friendly work environment encourages employees to collaborate across and outside of our organization, while also offering 

opportunities for personal growth. Our team of professional, technical, and administrative staff derives its collective strength from our varied backgrounds.

Texas RE is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual orientation, 

gender identity/transgender status, and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or other status protected by law.