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Posted: February 10, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Reliability Compliance Specialist

Western Area Power Administration

Department of Energy

Fresh

Location

Salary

$89,508 - $154,280

per year

Closes

February 23, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves managing and ensuring that a power administration region follows strict reliability standards set by national and regional electricity organizations to keep the power grid safe and reliable.

You'll develop programs, use technology to track compliance, and advise leaders on rules for operating and maintaining electric systems.

It's a good fit for someone with experience in energy regulations who enjoys detail-oriented work in a government office setting, possibly with occasional site visits.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level, including applying NERC and WECC compliance requirements and handling regulatory or noncompliance findings
  • Knowledge of electric power system operations and maintenance regulations
  • Ability to develop and oversee compliance programs for reliability standards
  • Experience utilizing technology and implementing processes to generate compliance evidence
  • Skill in interpreting policies and advising management on electric utility compliance
  • Willingness to work in an office with occasional field visits requiring personal protective gear
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to meet all qualifications by the closing date

Full Job Description

This position is part of the WAPA-RMR-Rocky Mountain Region.

As a Reliability Compliance Specialist, you will be responsible for implementation and management of the Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability compliance program.

***This is not a remote position.

You must report to one of the following duty locations: Lakewood, CO Loveland, CO Montrose, CO QUALIFICATIONS: Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.

This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

The experience need not have been in the federal government.

To Qualify at the GS12 level: 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-11] in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as having ALL of the following: Applying North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) compliance requirements and addressing regulatory and noncompliance findings.

To Qualify at the GS13 level: 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 having ALL of the following: 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; Utilizing technology and implementing technology driven processes and procedures to meet new and existing NERC/WECC compliance requirements and generating compliance evidence; AND 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is primarily sedentary however, some assignments may involve training and observing work operations in an industrial environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is normally performed in an office setting however, some assignments may require visits to field locations, other WAPA offices and site visits to other utilities.

Personal protective gear and observance of safety precautions may be required. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

As a Reliability Compliance Specialist, some of your duties will include: As a technical expert develops, directs, and oversees the Region's NERC/WECC operations and maintenance related compliance programs.

Notifies management on possible or anticipated noncompliance issues. Works with RMR Compliance Manager to interpret WECC/NERC standards relating to operations activities.

Anticipates potential compliance problems involving completions and communicates to Division Managers and Operations Specialists so that corrective actions can be initiated.

Represents RMR in WECC/NERC audits. Leads and/or participates in WAPA-wide process and evidence collection improvement projects to meet new and existing NERC/WECC compliance requirements and standards.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/10/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-WJ-00028-12883162-DE