Senior Specialist, Compliance Assurance

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us?

You've got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn't happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You'll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences - and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.

Who we are

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province's power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province's electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario's electricity needs - now and into the future.

The opportunity

The Senior Specialist, Compliance Assurance will play a pivotal role in shaping the IESO's approach to compliance. This role involves leading the development and execution of processes and procedures to enhance the culture of compliance within the IESO, focusing not only on reliability standards set by authorities like the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC), but also expanding to include market rules compliance. The role will also promote awareness among Ontario market participants of their reliability standards obligations.

As the Senior Specialist, you will have the unique opportunity to develop market rules compliance processes from the ground up, managing projects that ensure compliance across various IESO business units and among Ontario market participants. Under the general direction of the Manager, Compliance Assurance, you will oversee compliance readiness and risk assessments, conduct self-assessments for potential non-compliance events, and provide recommendations to management on whether these events should be reported to Standards Authorities.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills, the ability to lead through influence, and a background in regulatory compliance. Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills are essential, as the Senior Specialist will work with subject matter experts across the IESO to develop and present recommendations.

What you'll do

• Lead collaboration with IESO subject matter experts (SMEs) and other staff to develop, maintain and compile IESO compliance submissions to compliance enforcement authorities such as MACD, NERC and NPCC including compliance narratives, controls descriptions and evidence, so as to demonstrate compliance with market rules, and reliability standards and criteria.
• Develop, review and update IESO internal compliance program documentation to ensure they reflect current practice and contain appropriate provisions to assure the IESO is able to demonstrate compliance with market rules and reliability standards requirements.
• Exercise limited/periodic supervision over designated staff on special projects. Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, including problem resolution, training, and quality checks.
• Provide guidance to support IESO business units in the preparation of their compliance self-reports and other compliance submissions and in assessing potential non-compliance events. Review and provide feedback on compliance self-assessments conducted by business units and make recommendations to management on the reportability of such events to NERC, NPCC and MACD.
• Act as the IESO's Primary Compliance Contact with compliance enforcement authorities such as NERC, NPCC and MACD in respect of reliability standards and market rules, submitting self-reports; receiving industry alerts, information requests and compliance reporting requests; and coordinating and submitting IESO responses.
• Lead the performance of gap analyses on changing reliability standards and other external-facing documents such as Market Rules and Market Manuals to identify the need for changes to compliance documentation as appropriate.
• Support the Chief Reliability Compliance Officer (CRCO) and senior management in the oversight of the IESO's Internal Compliance Program. Report on the status of the IESO's compliance with reliability standards and market rules; the monitoring actions of compliance enforcement authorities including MACD; and the status of mitigating actions to address identified compliance gaps.
• Participate in the reliability standards and criteria development processes of Standards Authorities and in the formulation of rules and policies of regulatory bodies, by coordinating and submitting IESO comments and ballot positions, so as to understand the opinions of other stakeholders and make Ontario's views known to the industry.
• Chair, plan, organize and participate in meetings of IESO-MP standing committees and working groups related to compliance and standards; respond to relevant MP requests; and maintain the standards applicability matrix, related standards documents and Reliability Compliance web page to inform MPs of their obligations and related developments.
• Participate in industry forums organized by Standards Authorities such as NERC and NPCC by attending meetings, conferences and workshops to build a network of peers in other jurisdictions, foster relationships, learn from other participants, advance Ontario positions and influence industry views.
• Develop and deliver compliance and standards-based training to IESO staff and where necessary market participants, to promote awareness of compliance practices and obligations and standards under development.
• Provide guidance to staff to summarize, track and disseminate to management and SMEs, relevant information bulletins issued by Standards Authorities and regulatory bodies to help maintain the IESO's awareness of industry issues and developments.
• Receive direction from the supervisor in broad terms on specific problems related to assigned areas of work. Develop solutions to problems, managing or producing necessary documentation to substantiate recommendations.
• Collaborate with IESO business units as necessary to support key initiatives, including performing outreach to MPs to issue reminders of compliance obligations and requests for compliance-related submissions.
• Support and facilitate the Compliance Monitoring Program (CMP) activities of the Market Assessment and Compliance Division (MACD) by coordinating IESO business unit input to the annual CMP, and servicing MACD information requests.
• Accept and carry out delegated responsibilities of the supervisor as required.

What you need to succeed

Required

• 4-year university degree in business, law, finance, management, engineering, computer science or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Ontario's electricity industry, including the roles and responsibilities of the IESO, and the Market Administration and Compliance Division.
• Familiarity with the roles and responsibilities of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC), in promoting and assuring the reliability of the North American power grid.
• Excellent command of the English language, both written and oral, in order to communicate, and effectively interface with all contacts to accomplish work objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team environment, showing openness to differing viewpoints and to building consensus in challenging discussions.
• Ability to synthesize information, tailor and present compliance materials to various audiences.
• Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and reasoning skills with attentiveness to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to review, analyze, summarize, prioritize and synthesize large amounts of information, to determine impact, and to tailor and effectively deliver key messages through reports, memos, presentations and oral communication.
• Strong customer service focus and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Highly motivated team contributor with a 'can do' attitude.
• Goal oriented with an understanding and high regard for meeting deadlines.
• Highly developed time management and project management skills, ability to effectively manage competing demands and adapt as circumstances and priorities change.
• Ability to lead small teams to undertake projects of broadly defined scope and objectives, and provide guidance and mentorship to team members.
• Assertiveness, ability to think broadly, share own perspectives, contribute to discussions and deliver reasoned arguments to influence others to pursue a particular course of action.
• Demonstrated initiative and a desire to be challenged, learn, adapt and grow.
• Experience working in a fast-paced group environment, in a hybrid work setting.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Willingness and aptitude to develop and enhance new computer software skills so as to apply computer-based tools.

A period of over 8 years, up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

Assets

• Knowledge of electrical engineering theory and power systems

What's in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry
  

Deadline: September 19, 2024

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment - one that values every team member's unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview.

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario. When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga location.

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