RRC - Engineering Specialist III - Permit Writer – Environmental Permits

RRC - Engineering Specialist III - Permit Writer – Environmental Permits (00053717)Organization: RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Primary Location: Texas-AustinWork Locations: RRC Headquarters 1701 N Congress Avenue Austin 78701

Job: Architecture and Engineering

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-timeStandard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

State Job Code: 2129

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 20

Salary (Pay Basis): 4,263.16 - 5,622.75 (Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

Job Posting: Oct 22, 2025, 2:03:47 PM

Closing Date: Nov 5, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Description

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry, and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas’ website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:

- Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year

- Telework options for eligible positions

- Flexible work schedules

- Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w

- 401(k), 457(b) and Roth

- Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Wellness and Exercise Leave

- Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.

Job Description

The Railroad Commission of Texas, recognized as a worldwide leader in the regulation of oil and gas exploration, seeks an Engineering Specialist for evaluation of complex permits for the Environmental Permits and Support Unit in the Technical Permitting Section of the Oil and Gas Division. Duties require knowledge of environmental, engineering, and geological principles, practices and techniques necessary to evaluate permit applications and other technical data associated with surface management of oil and gas waste. Work involves processing complex permit applications, evaluating other technical information, and assisting clients. Successful applicants must be highly organized, proficient in engineering and geological principles, and able to work with Windows-based applications and/or terminal-based systems and databases. Excellent verbal, written and telecommunication skills are necessary to effectively work with internal and external customers of various backgrounds and skill sets.

Essential Job Duties

- Perform technical review of complex permit applications filed under the Commission’s oil and gas waste management regulations, i.e., Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 1, Chapter 4.

- Perform complex soils, geological, and hydrological studies and identify potential problems resulting from the maintenance, use and closure of oil and gas waste management facility operations.

- Review and interpret soil maps, geologic maps, and cross-sections, engineered drawings and plats or other subsurface or surface information.

- Evaluate data and analysis of issues, and preparation of reports and recommendations.

- Interpret, review, compare, and evaluate documentation and literature, using scientific knowledge and skills in enforcing Commission rules and statutes.

- Review complex waste treatment and disposal applications filed for technical accuracy and completion.

- Perform complex geological and hydrological studies and identify potential problems resulting from the maintenance and use of waste treatment and disposal facility operations.

- Review complex recycling permit applications filed for technical accuracy and completion.

- Review hydrostatic test discharges permit application for technical accuracy and completion.

- Prepare requests for supplemental data for consideration of deficiencies.

- Ensure permits will maintain conditions necessary to prevent pollution of surface and subsurface waters.

- Assist client inquiries by phone, e-mail, and in person.

- Resolve issues or discrepancies through written or verbal communication with operators and/or their representatives.

- Research and interpret hardcopy records, microfilms, and databases.

- Participate in creating and maintaining highly specialized databases to accurately track and maintain the Unit’s core functions.

- Meet and maintain measured work standards with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

- Perform additional related essential tasks to maintain production workflow.

- Occasional travel may be required.

For Military Crosswalk information please visit: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Engineering and Design (texas.gov)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in engineering, natural resources, mathematics, or a related field.

- Two years of experience with a regulatory agency, oil and gas industry, or related field.

- Experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

- A master’s degree in engineering, natural resources, mathematics, or a related field may substitute for two years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

- Licensed as a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) by the Soil Science Society of America; Professional Geoscientist (PG) or Geoscientist in Training (GIT); or a Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) in Texas or in a U.S. state with reciprocity.

- Three to four years of experience with a regulatory agency, waste management industry, or related field is preferred.

- Experience in environmental services, remediation and assessment.

- Experience in oil and gas regulatory functions and/or oilfield operations.

- Knowledge of the Railroad Commission's rules, policies, and procedures.

- Position may require occasional overnight travel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Knowledge of professional office procedures and protocols.

- Skill in college-level mathematics, geometry, chemistry and a working knowledge of scientific principles and techniques.

- Demonstrate understanding and ability to apply geologic and engineering concepts, theories, and principles.

- Skill in technical writing, excellent organizational skills and maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

- Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License and good driving record.

- Skill in using mainframe, Microsoft Office, and other Windows-based software applications.

- Skill in basic data analysis techniques

- Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

- Demonstrated skill in working on tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail and maintaining a high level of accuracy.

- Demonstrated ability to retrieve and analyze information from hard copy files, microfilm and computer database(s).

- Ability to understand, communicate and interpret complex engineering and geological information to others.

- Ability to plan and coordinate programs and activities

- Ability to learn and understand oil and gas policy and procedures and interpret processes.

- Ability to accurately file, sort, organize, and distribute documents and retrieve files.

- Ability to operate copy machine, fax, scanner and other general office equipment.

- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

- Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 30 pounds.

- Ability to stoop, reach low and high, push and pull heavy file drawers and/or cart.

- Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time while performing administrative or technical duties.

- Ability to work independently and on a team.

- Ability to work well under pressure and be flexible.

- Ability to maintain professional appearance and demeanor.

- Ability to maintain punctuality and regular attendance.

- Ability to exercise tact and courtesy.

- Ability to discern colors and read diagrams/charts/maps/reference materials.

- Ability to work downtown Austin, TX, Monday-Friday, 8AM – 5PM with occasional flexible hours, overtime, weekends.

Work Environment:

Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in a general office environment. Occasional overnight travel to permitted facilities in all weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment ranges from low-to-moderate indoors and low-to-high in the field.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and appropriate office equipment. Must walk/stand for considerable amounts of time in all weather conditions. Must use sense of smell; must also have visual acuity, depth perception, and the ability to discern colors.

Work Hours and Telework: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, as long as it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework based on the agency’s approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks:

- There is one available position.

- Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.

- Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

- Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.

Due to the high volume of applications we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age

or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.