Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Reliability Compliance Specialist

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Rocky Mountain Region & Desert Southwest Region

Summary

As a Reliability Compliance Specialist, you will serve as the expert on North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) compliance requirements and establish programs to facilitate compliance with NERC and WECC standards, and to address other regulatory organizations' noncompliance findings.

Overview

Help
Open & closing dates
04/22/2026 to 05/01/2026
Salary
$111,338 - $154,280 per year

Salary varies depending on location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Loveland, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational, as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-WG-00519-12942983-DE
Control number
866129300

Duties

Help

As a Reliability Compliance Specialist, you will:

  • Serve as the region's technical expert for NERC/WECC reliability standards related to the region's Operation's program. Develop, direct, and oversee a NERC/WECC operations-related compliance program. Notify management about possible or anticipated non-compliance issues. Work with the region's compliance manager to interpret WECC/NERC standards relating to operations activities.
  • Create, update, and revise compliance documentation and Operation's procedures as required by standards. Oversee document management and version control policies and processes for Operations work practices, compliance documentation, and performance tracking. Review annual guidelines and operational procedures to ensure they meet compliance program schedules and goals.
  • Update and distribute periodic compliance completion status reports and performance metrics so that the Division Managers are informed of the status. Anticipate potential compliance problems involving performance metrics and communicates to Division Managers and technical leads so that corrective actions can be initiated.
  • Conduct periodic Internal Audits and develops, monitors, and completes mitigation plans as required. Represent the region's Operations in WECC/NERC audits.
  • Research and understand industry best-practices for utilizing technology and implement technology driven processes and procedures to meet new and existing NERC/WECC compliance requirements and generate compliance evidence.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages.
  • Security clearance and associated requirements - moderate risk.
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-12] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

  1. Applying North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) compliance requirements and establishing programs to facilitate compliance with standards to address regulatory and noncompliance findings;
  2. Utilizing technology and implementing technology driven processes and procedures to meet new and existing NERC/WECC compliance requirements and generating compliance evidence; AND
  3. Interpreting regulations and policies governing electric power system Operations and Maintenance and advising management as appropriate.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
  • Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
    • Phoenix, AZ salary range: $111,338 - $144,741
    • Loveland, CO salary range: $118,675 - $154,280

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

Rule of Many Rating Procedure: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, your resume, supporting documentation, and questionnaire/assessment responses will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the SME Resume Review rating assessment(s) will be scored. You will be ranked in score order plus any Veterans' preference points. All candidates who rate among the top six (6) highest ranked eligibles will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. All applicants tied at the cut line will be referred. If additional candidates are needed, groups of three per vacancy will be referred.

Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles with the same score. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are listed at the top of the certificate in the order of their ratings unless the job is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Simultaneous Listing: Candidates may be referred simultaneously on multiple certificates for which they are interested, eligible, and within reach.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
  • Audit Reporting
  • Compliance
  • Technical Problem Solving


Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (05/01/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12942983.

Western Area Power Administration

Join the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Team - Discover Your Next Professional Adventure!

At WAPA, we do more than keep the lights on. As part of the Department of Energy, we are a collective of compassionate innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to delivering clean, renewable, and reliable federal hydroelectric power.

Why WAPA?

We provide reliable and cost-effective hydropower and transmission services, operating across 15 states with over 17,000 miles of transmission lines. Our mission is to ensure that 40 million people have access to power. We lead in renewable resources, energy efficiency, and advanced technology with our strategic plan, Power Forward 2030. Our priority is your career growth and development, with comprehensive training and professional opportunities in a supportive environment. Enjoy competitive salaries, a robust retirement plan, health benefits, flexible schedules, and a work-life balance that values your well-being.

Power Your Career with WAPA

Ready to be part of our dynamic team? Apply to our current openings and take the first step towards a rewarding career that empowers both the West and your future.

Your skills. Our legacy. A shared Future. Are you in?

Agency contact information

PMA Careers
Email
PMACareers@wapa.gov
Address
WAPA-DSW-Desert Southwest
12155 W. Alameda Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80228
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Western Area Power Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc8BuCJpzbI?si=Ag5NQzaFHe7i7ahJ

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.