Senior Petroleum Specialist (EMNRD #10116398)

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 Senior Petroleum Specialist primarily will assist in conducting the work of the projects 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; act as a technical hearing examiner; and prepare 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. Adjudicate and 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. Act as a technical hearing examiner and be part of the technical hearing examiner rotation; Compile and
review hearing testimony and technical data and prepare hearing orders.
6. Write memos and conduct internal and public meetings.
7. Review work plans, proposals, budgets, and other documents associated with RFA and Grant engineering
processes of orphaned wells and other oilfield related sites.
8. Assist legal with the preparation of notices of violation, Press Releases, and other legal documents related
to compliance.
9. Serve as an Engineering Bureau's Subject Matter Expert and assist IT with Bureau-related process
development and communicate/ coordinate with Bureau staff, management, and the legal team when
necessary.
10. Provide support as needed to the Engineering Administrative Compliance group and the Underground
Injection Control group.
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 four (4) 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 eight (8) 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: John Garcia (505) 603-2709. 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.