Petroleum Specialist (EMNRD #5450)

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

This position can be based in any of the Division's five locations: Albuquerque, Artesia, Aztec, Hobbs, Santa Fe.

The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico. The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.

This position is part of the Division's Engineering Bureau, which is responsible for technical review and oversight of oil and gas permits, including administrative orders and exception requests, to ensure compliance with the state's oil and gas statutes and to prevent waste. The Engineering Bureau also manages programs related to Underground Injection Control, oversees technical aspects of the Administrative Permitting Program, and evaluates engineering plans and reports to ensure operator safety and environmental protection.
Why does the job exist?

This Petroleum Specialist assists the Administrative Permitting Program of the Oil Conservation Division's Engineering Bureau to ensure that the Division's goals and objectives are met. This position will approve, amend, or reject various permit applications pursuant to the NM Oil and Gas Act; draft orders; and write memos; conduct meetings; process applications under the Underground Injection Control program; and help address new technical issues as they arise in the oil and gas industry.

This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.
How does it get done?

1. Approve, amend, or reject administrative permitting application from oil and gas companies. Applications
typically assigned to this specialist include applications for non-standard well locations, applications to
compulsory pool mineral interests, applications for Permits to Drill, and applications for surface and
down-hole co-mingling.
2. Implement and administer the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules in accordance with the Division's strategies,
programs, goals, policies and initiatives.
3. Communicate effectively with management, colleagues, regulated entities, and the public, work with
diverse stakeholders to make impartial decisions based on laws and regulations.
4. Help design and develop programs within the Engineering Bureau to address new technical issues in the
oil and gas industry as they arise.
5. Draft and review hearing orders for accuracy and completeness.
6. Write memos and conduct internal and public meetings.
7. Coordinate and assist with field/facility inspections of facilities by OCD staff on a regular basis.
8. Help develop, implement, and administer the Underground Injection Control program, and address new
technical issues as they arise.
9. Approve, amend, or reject Underground Injection permit applications pursuant to federal law, NM's primacy
agreement with the EPA, and the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules.
10. Help compile underground injection data and draft grant applications.
11. Other duties as assigned.
Who are the customers?

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in preventing waste of natural resources, while protecting public health, the environment, and groundwater resources in New Mexico.
Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Mechanical, Civil, or Geological Engineering and two (2) years of experience in a government regulatory role including oil field experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements

Must maintain and possess a current New Mexico Driver's License
Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required. Some field/facility site inspections required.
Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Ward Rikala (505) 584-0170. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.