Senior Air Specialist - Midland

Senior-level Environmental Specialist focused on air quality compliance and permitting to support upstream oil and gas operations, with primary emphasis on Texas (TCEQ) and New Mexico (NMED), and support for Utah and federal requirements as needed. This position reports to the Sr. Manager- Air and serves as a technical subject matter expert for air permitting, emissions management, compliance strategy, and agency engagement. The role requires a high level of regulatory knowledge, independent judgment, and the ability to partner effectively with operations, engineering, and leadership.

The position may be filled as a Specialist or Engineer depending on qualifications and experience.

Essential Roles & Responsibilities

- Perform detailed air emissions calculations and independently review emissions calculations prepared by others to ensure accuracy and regulatory defensibility.

- Evaluate calculated emissions against applicable permit limits and regulatory thresholds to ensure ongoing compliance and identify potential exceedances or risk areas.

- Review and interpret air quality rules, guidance, and enforcement trends; provide clear regulatory interpretations and recommendations to management.

- Develop and maintain air compliance strategies aligned with federal (CAA, NSPS OOOOa/OOOO b, NESHAP), state, and local requirements.

- Manage annual and periodic air compliance reporting, including emissions inventories, OOOOa/ OOOOb reporting and supporting documentation.

- Coordinate and respond to agency inquiries, audits, inspections, and information requests.

- Provide technical guidance to engineering and operations on air compliance considerations during project planning, design, and execution.

- Support air compliance elements of facility design reviews.

- Develop and deliver air quality training to operations and field personnel.

- Manage third-party air consultants and contractors, including scope development, technical review, budgets, and performance oversight.

- Lead or support automation and data management initiatives related to emissions tracking, reporting, and compliance assurance.

- Support the preparation, review, and management air permit applications for new and modified facilities in both New Mexico and Texas.

- Travel up to approximately 10%, as required.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Skills

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced operating environment.

- Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across disciplines.

- Experience mentoring junior staff or serving as a technical resource for peers.

Computer/Software Applications

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

- Experience with emissions tracking, compliance databases, or environmental management systems preferred.

- Ability to work with technical data, calculations, and regulatory documentation in a structured, auditable manner.

Typical Experience:Minimum of 10 years of upstream oil and gas air quality compliance and permitting experience, with demonstrated hands-on experience working with TCEQ and/or NMED air programs.

Typical Education: BS degree in environmental science, ecology, chemistry, engineering or related science isrequired.

SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.