What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Scientist position at Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department of New Mexico?
EMNRD #10115145
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) is seeking talented professionals who want to make a meaningful impact on one of the most important industries in our state. The Division's Environmental Bureau is responsible for regulating the environmental aspects of oil, gas, operations throughout the state. Its primary goal is to protect groundwater, public health, and the environment by responding to incidents, remediating spills, and reclaiming impacted lands.
Role Description
This is a full-time, Environmental Scientist role based in Aztec, NM. This Environmental Scientist will work on remediating contaminated lands around abandoned or orphaned wells. This position primarily conducts environmental well-site inspections and witness and review various remediation activities including spill and release remediation, pit and below grade tank operations and final reclamation of sites. This position will also assist in the Environmental Bureau administrative permitting program by processing applications and permits including spill remediation and closures, pit permits, pit closures, and other remediation plans. This position will:
1. Assist the Conservation Division's (OCD) Environmental Bureau in Incidents review and Field Inspections which includes: Help effectively develop, implement, and administer the OCD Environmental Bureau District Office according to the NM Oil and Gas Act and Rules and address new technical, administrative and legal issues as they arise.
2. Work with the Environmental Supervisor and Engineering Bureau to locate and inspect well sites, incident sites and facilities in need of field inspection. Collect technical site information and use the information for detailed investigations and reviews.
3. Locate, evaluate, investigate and document reported leaks, releases, and incidents. Perform site assessments and review the technical aspects of a release. Advise the responsible parties of the rule requirements and provide guidance on the how to accomplish the requirements.
4. Ensure operators are in compliance with requirements of the rules and permits including OCD, OCC, or WQCC orders.
5. Under the direction of the Environmental supervisor perform the technical and administrative review of: C-141 environmental incidents reporting; characterization reports; requests for deferral; review and approval of remediation plans; closure reporting; closure of release incidents in the OCD database; requests for variances; characterization and remediation of impacts to groundwater or surface water releases; review and approval of Stage 1 and Stage 2 abatement plans for investigation; groundwater monitoring reports; review and approval of modifications to abatement plans; notice requirements under OCD rules; and review that closure standards have been met.
6. As directed by the Environmental Supervisor, review applications for temporary pits, multi-well fluid management pits, and permanent pits, registrations of below-grade tanks and closure reports for pits and tanks, registrations for produced water recycling facilities and containments, inspect those facilities, review monthly produced water volumes; permitting and inspections of refineries and permitting of discharge permits.
7. Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands the environmental aspects of the oil and gas industry. The candidate should have expertise in the principles of environmental and regulatory reviews and is passionate about helping the state identify and implement oil and gas regulations in an effort to protect human health, the environment, and the proper utilization of New Mexico resources during oil and gas operations. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Physical, Natural, or Environmental Science, Soil Science, or Engineering and two (2) years of work experience in public/environmental health, environmental science, Air Quality Management, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Hazardous Waste Management, Wildlife Management, and/or Water Resources. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
MUST APPLY VIA NM STATE CAREER PORTAL TO BE CONSIDERED: https://careers.share.nm.gov/