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

• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come into the office when collaborative in person work is needed.

• Relocation assistance to those that currently live 50 miles away from SPP’s office in Little Rock
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Senior OPS Quality Control Specialist focuses on the development, evaluation and implementation of internal controls of processes, procedures, and practices. The Controls are intended to govern Operational processes and procedures, SOC-1 Control Objectives and any other departmental compliance obligation to comply with FERC, NERC, WECC and NAESB Standards and business practices. The Ops Quality Control Specialist works closely with the SPP Compliance department, SPP Operations Engineering, Functional Coordinators and Analysts. This staff is responsible for conducting periodic reviews of processes, procedures and documentation to maintain proper evidence that is required to satisfy audit and controls requirements.

The Senior Ops Quality Control Specialist will serve as a primary contact within Operations for evidencing compliance with standards during audits, discussing findings and recommendations with auditors, and recommending appropriate Operations process and system enhancements for management consideration. This staff member serves as the primary contact for Operations in documenting and leading event analysis and Good Catch efforts on behalf of Operations. The position requires participation in Compliance and Operations membership related meetings, committees and working groups.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate compliance Operations efforts related to NERC, WECC, FERC, NAESB standards and SOC1 Audit.
• Lead with the compilation and/or development of documentation necessary to meet compliance and in preparation of compliance audits or filings with all personnel as required.
• Lead gap analysis performed in conjunction with the compliance department of revised NERC Standards and NAESB Business Practices as required.
• Lead in the implementation of regulatory gap analysis performed in conjunction with the compliance department.
• Coordinate the compilation and/or development of documentation necessary to meet compliance and in preparation of compliance audits or certification with all personnel as required.
• Develop metrics for analyzing performance of Operations processes/procedures. Able to analyze metrics and provide summary of results.

• Lead in the role of evaluation, implementation, and maintenance of OPS compliance processes and risk assessment process, procedures, and practices, including reporting and oversight of remediation efforts.
• Identify and implement compensating controls to reduce risk of non-compliance.
• Perform secretarial duties of the assigned organizational groups, which includes the preparation and distribution of a meeting notice, agenda, background material for activities requiring approval, presentation materials and meeting minutes.
• Provide training and educational assistance in areas of expertise to other employees, as needed especially specific to compliance and changes to compliance standards, objectives, processes, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain effective collaborative relationships, communication, and contact with staff members as well as applicable external parties.
• Strictly adhere to SPP Policies, Procedures, and internal Controls.

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.

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline: (Two years of relevant job-related experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement)

Experience Requirements:

• 8 years of combined experience related to risk assessment and analysis, audits and controls

Required:

• Communication skills and ability to deal on a regular basis with stakeholders as well as with regulators
• The exercise of independent judgment without fear of reprisal
• Strong inter-personal: oral, and written communication skills; and project management; and strong inter-personal skills
• Extensive contact and work with departments throughout the organization, as well as with members auditors, and regulators of the company
• A wide range of skills including: oral and written communications; testing; project management; and strong inter-personal skills
• Flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Excellent organizational skills
• General understanding of industry compliance requirements
• Understanding of, compliance with, and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred:

• Experience with internal audit controls
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, FERC Orders, NAESB Business Practices, SPP Criteria, Market Protocols, SPP OATT and SPP Business Practices

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.

• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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 some travel (approximately 10-15%).

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications. If after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email. 

Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.