Distribution System Operator Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting End Date

07-19-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

A NERC Compliance Lead ensures that electric utilities, power generators, transmission operators, and related energy organizations comply with mandatory reliability standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These standards encompass Operations and Planning (O&P) requirements necessary to maintain bulk electric system reliability, as well as Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards designed to safeguard the grid from cybersecurity threats. The role is critical to preventing system disturbances, maintaining grid stability, and avoiding regulatory violations and penalties.
In addition, the NERC Compliance Lead plays a proactive role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risk by supporting internal controls, facilitating self assessments and audits, and serving as a subject matter resource for operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity teams. The role requires staying current on evolving NERC standards, industry guidance, and enforcement trends, participating in standards development and ballot processes when applicable, and translating regulatory requirements into practical, executable actions. Through collaboration, education, and continuous improvement, the Lead helps embed a culture of compliance and accountability while supporting the organization's broader reliability and risk management objectives.

Job Description

What We're Looking For:

• Collaborate on, monitor, and interpret the operational impact of new and revised NERC standards by tracking standards development, regulatory policy activity, and industry trends; actively participate in NERC ballot processes and discussions to identify and mitigate compliance and reliability risks prior to standard approval and translate requirements into organizational applicability.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Compliance Programs: Assist in creating, updating, and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and controls to meet NERC requirements.

• Evidence collection and documentation: Gather, review, organize, and maintain compliance evidence (data, logs, reports). Contribute to the preparation and review of Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), and Audit Readiness Packages. Audits and assessments: Support internal audits, spot-checks, self-certifications, and external regulatory audits. Identify gaps, perform root cause analysis for potential violations, and recommend corrective actions.

• Consultation and training: Provide guidance to business units (operations, engineering, IT, plant staff) on compliance best practices, requirements, and evidence sufficiency. Help communicate regulatory changes.

• Reporting and metrics: Develop compliance reports, dashboards, or metrics. Track status, monitor tasks in compliance tools, and support submissions to NERC or Regional Entities.

• Controls Development and Execution: Contribute to the development, execution, and tracking of internal controls to support compliance risk mitigation strategies. Analyze compliance data, identify non-compliance risks, and contribute to continuous improvement of the compliance program.

• Collaborate with Embedded Support, plant system owners, GEN NERC, and ENRA to ensure that processes are compliant. Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assist with special projects, and support state public utility commission requirements.

• Work with Operating Company's Impacted Business Unit Leader (IBUL) to review and approve mitigation plans, RFI responses, and the design of compliance processes and controls.

What We're Looking For:

NERC Compliance Lead (Salary Grade 9)

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical preferred) Computer, Systems, or Applications engineering, Business, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of eight years in fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership.

• Minimum of four years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity. Prior utility/energy sector or NERC-specific experience is highly preferred.

• Distribution system experience is a plus.

NERC Compliance Lead (Salary Grade 10)

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical preferred) Computer, Systems, or Applications engineering, Business, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten years in fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership.

• Minimum of five years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity. Prior utility/energy sector or NERC-specific experience is highly preferred.

• Distribution system experience is a plus.

Additional Expectations:

• Talent expected to live within 45 minutes of the worksite.

Licenses/Certifications Preferred:

• Professional Engineer (PE) desirable

• Certified Power Systems Engineer (PSE) highly desirable

• NERC System Operator Certification

• CISSP, CISA, or other compliance/security certifications

• CRISC or similar risk/compliance certifications

Licenses/Certifications Required:

• Valid driver's license

What You'll Get:

This single vacancy is posted in a range. Please note that Education and/or relevant Experience will be used to determine the appropriate salary and salary grade.

NERC Compliance Lead (Salary Grade 9)

Expected Salary Range: $122,000.00-$132,000.00 (USD)

NERC Compliance Lead (Salary Grade 10)

Expected Salary Range: $142,000.00-$152,000.00 (USD)

In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$116,255.00 - $177,503.00

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.