Deputy Director (Oilfield Site Restoration)

C&E is seeking a Petroleum Engineer to serve as the Deputy Director of the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration (OSR) Program. In this leadership role, the Deputy Director provides strategic direction and operational oversight to advance the program’s mission of addressing environmental and public safety risks associated with orphaned oilfield sites. Reporting to the Director of OSR, this position is responsible for coordinating key program functions, including site prioritization, project execution, contractor oversight, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of program efficiency. The Deputy Director will lead complex restoration initiatives that protect Louisiana’s natural resources while supporting responsible economic development.

The Deputy Director plays a critical leadership role in advancing the mission of the OSR Program by overseeing both strategic direction and daily operations. Reporting to the Director of Oilfield Site Restoration, this position is responsible for ensuring restoration projects are effectively prioritized, executed, and compliant with all regulatory requirements. The Deputy Director manages contractor performance, procurement activities, and program resources, while also implementing data-driven performance measures to improve efficiency and outcomes.

In addition, the Deputy Director serves as a key liaison among federal, state, and local partners, as well as industry stakeholders and the public. This role is instrumental in fostering collaboration, ensuring transparency, and aligning restoration efforts with broader environmental and economic goals. Through strong leadership and coordination, the Deputy Director helps drive the successful remediation of orphaned oilfield sites and the long-term protection of Louisiana’s natural resources and communities.

This role requires close collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, elected officials, private sector partners, and the public. The Deputy Director serves as a key liaison to ensure alignment, transparency, and effective communication across all stakeholders. By fostering strong partnerships and driving data-informed decision-making, this position plays a critical role in enhancing program outcomes, safeguarding environmental health, and supporting the long-term sustainability of Louisiana’s oilfield restoration efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering; 
• At least five (5) years of professional experience in the environmental, commercial, and/or industrial fields; 
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the financial, contractual and operational aspects of the industry, as well as the ability to effectively communicate technical information to stakeholders, is critical to the success of the program. 

In this role, the Deputy Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration Program and serves as a key advisor to the Director on program priorities, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. This position ensures the program fulfills its mission of addressing environmental and public safety risks associated with orphaned oilfield sites while supporting responsible resource management and economic development. 

• Lead the planning and execution of restoration initiatives, including prioritizing orphaned sites based on environmental risk, public safety impact, and cost-effectiveness. 
• Oversee project design, contractor coordination, and field operations to ensure compliance with state regulations and adherence to industry best practices. 
• Direct procurement activities, including bid solicitation and contract awards, and evaluating contractor performance to ensure quality, efficiency, and accountability. 
• Ensure compliance with the Louisiana Oilfield Site Restoration Law and applicable environmental regulations; provide subject matter expertise and support policy development and refinement. 
• Manage program resources and budget activities, including tracking expenditures, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting grant applications to maximize program impact. 
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze program data, and provide regular reporting on progress, outcomes, and operational improvements. 
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts by collaborating with federal, state, and local partners, elected officials, industry stakeholders, and the public to promote transparency and program awareness. 
• Identify and mitigate environmental and operational risks, ensuring restoration activities effectively address hazards, community concerns, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including technology and GIS teams, to enhance project tracking, data analysis, and overall program efficiency. 

POSITION-SPECIFIC DETAILS
Appointment Type: Unclassified
Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.
Compensation: $100,000 - $156,000 annually

The final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

How to Apply:
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Email: _DCE-Recruiting@la.gov
Human Resources Division
Department of Conservation and Energy
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. 

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

Salary : $100,000 - $156,000