RRC - Engineering Hearings Specialist IV - V

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.

General Description

The Railroad Commission of Texas is seeking an Engineering Specialist IV or V within the Hearings Division. The division conducts hearings on regulatory aspects of gas utility rates and safety, surface mining, oil and gas exploration and production, and critical infrastructure. Responsibilities include oil and gas matters, including drilling of oil, gas, and geothermal wells; production and plugging operations to prevent waste of natural resources; protection of correlative rights of parties; and prevention of pollution. Presides over protested and uncontested hearings; drafts proposals for decision and orders; summarizes expert technical testimony; and, after researching pertinent facts and law, formulates recommendations to the Commission. Visually inspects and evaluates exhibits and other data offered at hearings and administrative presentations. Summarizes expert technical testimony offered by petroleum geologists, engineers, and other expert witnesses. Creates documents using word processing and spreadsheet programs.

Reliability and timelines are crucial, as this position works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude and independent judgment. This position reports to the Hearings Division Technical Examiner and the Director and will require meticulous attention to detail, the ability to work on multiple projects, and the ability to meet crucial deadlines.

Essential Job Duties

• Serve as a technical expert on a hearing panel with an administrative law judge to adjudicate complex regulatory and technical cases.
• Review, interpret, and analyze sophisticated technical data, including engineering diagrams, geological data, reservoir models, and seismic data, to determine their validity and relevance to the case.
• Evaluate testimony and evidence against relevant laws, rules, and agency regulations to formulate formal recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with parties and witnesses during the hearing process to gather needed information.
• Must have excellent written and verbal skills; ability to translate highly technical concepts in written format to a varied audience.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and presenting recommendations to the Commissions during public open meetings.
• Must have strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Skilled in using standard office suites and specialized regulatory/case management software.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative hearing panel.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Note: This position may require minimal travel.

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_EngineeringandDesign.pdf

Salary : $60,000 - $89,988