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

- 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 a Natural Resources Specialist IV in the Field Operations - Site Remediation Section of the Oil and Gas Division in Austin, TX. The Natural Resources Specialist will assist with oversight of complex oil and gas environmental cleanups in each of the Section’s Cleanup Programs, provide technical support, and coordinate investigation and cleanup activities involving the Commission’s District Offices and the recently created Subsurface Investigation Team. The Natural Resources Specialist will use knowledge and experience in environmental assessment, hydrogeology, chemical fate and transport, oil and gas operations, as well as regulatory cleanup requirements to protect human health and the environment.

The successful applicant must have excellent writing skills and be able to prepare comprehensive and concise evaluations and reports, individually, or as part of a team. Previous training or experience in hazardous substance worker safety (HAZWOPER) is highly preferred. The Natural Resources Specialist will work under the supervision of the Site Remediation Section Manager.

Essential Job Functions

- Review environmental investigation work plans and reports, prioritize site cleanups and risk assessment reports, as assigned.

- Evaluate soil, groundwater, vapor, and domestic water well analytical results based on federal and state rules, risk reduction guidelines, and risk assessments.

- Determine acceptable levels of soil and groundwater and soil contamination based on federal and state rules, risk reduction guidelines, and risk assessment protocols.

- Communicate with environmental engineering firms, responsible party representatives, Voluntary Cleanup Program applicants, and RRC staff regarding the outcome and recommended paths forward on environmental investigations and remediation.

- Prepare timely and concise responses to site assessment reports, remedial action plans, remedial completion reports, and risk assessment reports. Provide written correspondence as necessary

- Coordinate high priority complaints, investigations and cleanups with OCP staff, State-Managed Program staff, Subsurface Investigation (SSI) Team, Field Operations and/or the District Office as appropriate.

- Facilitate communication between Site Remediation, Field Operations, Technical Permitting and District Offices.

- Locate oil and gas facilities and evaluate potential sources of contamination through research of historical records and use of the RRC Public Map GIS viewer.

- Interpret laboratory and field-testing procedures and results and determine whether data quality is satisfactory.

- Assist with grant applications or other special projects as needed.

- Maintain and update accurate site information on databases and monitor project status as necessary.

- Prepare technical guidance and/or provide training for Field Operations’ technical staff.

- Walk up to two miles, in all weather conditions, to conduct site inspections and oversee projects.

- Perform additional work assignments as needed to maintain production workflow.

For Military Crosswalk information please visit: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category -Natural Resources.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

- B.S. in Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.

- Thirty-six (36) months experience in a related field or job assignment.

- Relevant post-graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a month to month basis.

- Experience in environmental investigation and cleanup utilizing Texas Risk-Reduction Program (TRRP) or other similar risk-based cleanup protocols.

- Experience designing environmental sampling programs, collecting environmental samples for laboratory analysis, reviewing analytical results, preparing environmental assessment reports and making recommendations for further corrective actions at contamination sites.

Preferred Qualifications

- Professional Licensure as a PG or PE.

- Experience in oil and gas regulatory functions and knowledge of the Railroad Commission's rules, policies, and procedures.

- Hazardous substance worker safety (HAZWOPER) training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Skill in higher-level/college-level mathematics and a working knowledge of engineering techniques and principles.

- Demonstrate understanding and ability to apply geological concepts, techniques, theories, principles.

- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Access, and other Windows-based software.

- Skill in maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

- Good organizational, communication, and writing skills.

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

- Ability to drive and change tires on ¾ ton truck.

- Ability to walk up to two miles in varying weather conditions, as required, to perform inspection work.

- Ability to lift, carry, and move an average of 50 lbs. to perform daily duties.

- Ability to work independently for long periods of time while meeting workload demands.

- Ability to multi-task.

- Ability to travel 10% throughout the state to carry out assignments and perform site reviews.

- Ability to maintain an initial set work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm, with occasional overtime.

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. 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.