ECMC Orphan Well Program Environmental Protection Specialist II

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

 Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference?  Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.  We invite you to explore our website athttps://dnr.colorado.gov/about-usto find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.  The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.  

  In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Medical, Vision and Dental plans

• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• Employee Wellness programs

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health Savings Accounts

• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave

• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Position Summary: 

CECMC rules require that oil and gas operators submit forms with designs and plans for work at oil and gas wells and sites. With no active operators, OWP staff are responsible for submitting these forms and preparing similar plans, designs, specifications, and technical procedures for the work at orphaned wells and locations.  

OWP projects are performed in phases:  1) well plugging, equipment removal, and disposal, and flowline abandonment; 2) environmental investigations and remediation; and 3) surface reclamation.  This Position is responsible for Form 27 (Site Investigation and Remediation Workplan) submittal in preparation of Initial first phase activities, design and implementation of Phase 2 activities (environmental investigations and remediation) Handing off to the Phase 3 Reclamation Team, and for ensuring that this work complies to the extent possible with CECMC’s Rules, Policies, and industry professional standards.

In many situations, orphaned wells and sites do not meet current CECMC and industry standards because of lack of maintenance since the sites were operational or lesser standards that were in place at the time of construction. These projects often involve complex situations requiring development of new procedures to return the locations to conditions that are protective of public health, the environment, and wildlife resources. This Position plans, organizes and conducts environmental investigation and remediation on a variety of routine projects and projects with higher complexity requiring unique designs. For complex projects, policies, precedents, standards or practices exist, but they may be inadequate, and this Position is responsible for interpreting existing policy objectives and formulating specific tactical solutions unique to each project. These tactical plans require unique talents for this position that are critical to the success of the OWP and the CECMC’s mission to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

• Manage projects by maintaining and improving existing systems for project tracking to show daily work performed and daily cost accounting.

• Maintain daily contact with the contractor, and observe contractor work when needed.

• Report project status and incidents to the OWP Eastern Region Supervisor and the OWP Manager.

• Explain work processes and train other individuals in the field, and serve as a resource and guide by advising others on how to use OWP processes procedures.

• Participate as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team to ensure that projects are prioritized and performed in a safe and timely manner.

• Prepares environmental investigation and remediation specifications for the various projects using standard templates, and when required based on unique circumstances of some projects, write new procedures based on experience and professional judgment.

• Approve scope and quantity changes in the field when work is in progress.

Permits, Designs, and Plans: Serves as the Orphaned Well Program Leader for design and preparation of spill or release reports, site investigation work plans, remediation work plans and field work

• Obtains and manages all local, state, and federal permits as required.
• Consult and collaborate with CECMC staff for consistency with Environmental Work Unit procedures and policies.
• Coordinate with other local, state, and federal agencies when spills or releases related to orphaned sites involve impacts from wastes that are outside of CECMC’s jurisdiction.
• Conduct orphaned site field inspections to evaluate potential environmental concerns for planning and design prior to work.

• Prepare remedial action plans for site investigations and remediation of impacted groundwater, surface water, soil.

• Consult with Managers and Supervisors of other work units to ensure that qualified resources are available when needed for timely completion of the project.

• Coordinate and collaborate with other technical and administrative staff for multidisciplinary projects.

• Responsible for planning, performance, and scheduling of staff assigned to the project

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

• Familiarity with State procurement rules and processes.
• Experience with billing, Invoicing, and contract management.
• Comfortable navigating web-based programs and the use of interactive GIS maps and databases.  
• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Excellent personal computer skills using the MS Office software suite and Google applications, will be necessary for success in this position.
• Master's degree in Geology, Engineering, Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, Environmental Sciences or a closely related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, leading organizations, projects and stakeholders.
• Experience in managing data related to oil and gas production, or another similar industry.
• Familiarity with ECMC rules and regulations and regulatory processes.
• Experience with Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and certified payrolls
• Experience working with Federal Grants and other public funds.
• Familiarity with local contractors and consultants

• You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. DNR does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.
• Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• A current & valid Driver's license is required for operating a state vehicle and occasional travel is anticipated. May travel for field work or meetings, including overnight. 
• May require occasional weekend or evening work.
• Must be willing to travel to meetings both within and outside Colorado

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. 

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.

• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. 

• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. 

• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

Salary : $74,604 - $90,000