The American Public Power Association (APPA) is looking for a Security Programs Specialist to be responsible for supporting a wide variety of APPA’s physical and cyber security programmatic efforts, both new and existing. This individual interfaces with member utilities to ensure member needs and positions are well represented. The successful candidate will have a mix of physical and cyber security knowledge, energy sector experience, excellent program management skills, an understanding of membership organizations and the need to be attentive and drive added value.

Please note: This is not a remote position. Candidates must be in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area. APPA offers a flexible work schedule for full-time employees, and the option for telework is available after 2 months of employment (with supervisor approval). 

Duties:

• Support the launch and execution of the APPA Cyber Security Accelerator Program to improve the cybersecurity posture and maturity of small and medium-sized APPA members.
• Assist with the planning and execution of the annual APPA Cyber Security Summit, along with various physical and cyber security related sessions at additional APPA conferences.
• Support identification and development of physical and cyber security tools/technologies/services to provide value-add to APPA members.
• Review, process, and produce information from security threat feeds to distribute relevant alerts to the APPA listservs, working groups, etc.
• Support development of the biennial APPA physical and cyber security surveys to identify member interests and activities related to their security maturity and posture. Perform data analysis and prepare reports for APPA leadership and members. Identify opportunities to provide new services/tools.
• Provide administrative support to APPA Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council Secretariat representatives, e.g., scheduling and attending meetings, taking notes, and coordinating member input.
• Support efforts related to new funding opportunities and grant applications, as well as cooperative agreement management documents.
• Coordinate with physical and cyber security team members to develop division talking points, PowerPoints, and other collateral materials to enhance APPA security messaging. Collaborate with Communications Department to update and maintain physical and cyber security webpages and resources.
• Provide programmatic support on cooperative agreements between APPA and the USG, as needed.
• Transmit information to APPA members and external stakeholders through articles, speeches, presentations, white papers, blogs, podcasts, facilitation of listservs, and other media to ensure transfer of knowledge.
• Research and respond to member inquiries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Degree from a 4-year college or university, with coursework in physical or cyber security, energy systems, engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Two to five years of physical/cyber security experience with a utility, government agency, industry stakeholder, vendor, or consulting firm.
• Relevant technical certifications, e.g., Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP), GIAC Critical Infrastructure Protection (GCIP), GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID), (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Operational Technology Cybersecurity Professional (TÜV), preferred.
• Familiarity with government and industry cyber security standards and frameworks, e.g., NERC CIP, CISA CPGs, NIST CSF.
• Experience working with/coordinating/liaising with federal departments and agencies.
• Knowledge and experience working in the energy sector; experience with a utility preferred.
• Experience working in a membership/trade organization and/or with a wide array of stakeholder communities, preferably in the energy sector.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to drive performance from all areas within the department; PMP certification preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with personnel of member utilities, federal agencies, utility interest groups, and other professional organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and to organize and manage interdepartmental working groups.
• Willingness and ability to travel 20-30% of the year.

About American Public Power Association

The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. We represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 96,000 people they employ. We advocate and advise on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations.

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