Job Description

Oversees the daily operations and management of the Oil and Gas Division's district office in Houston. Leads a staff of 45 employees, including a multidisciplinary team of technical professionals with backgrounds in various earth science, engineering, and geoscience fields, as well as field inspectors and support staff. Responsible within the district for planning, executing, reviewing, and evaluating field inspection and enforcement activities and coordinating statefunded well plugging and site remediation activities. Oversees and coordinates Critical Infrastructure Field Operations activities, including inspections.

The Railroad Commission of Texas, recognized as a worldwide leader in regulating oil and gas exploration, seeks a Director of the Houston Office to assist with planning, development, and implementation of business operations within the Oil and Gas Division. This position offers the opportunity to work with industry, other agencies, and the general public in developing oil and gas regulatory standards and best practices.

Essential Job Duties

• Manage, evaluate, and supervise professional, technical, and administrative personnel.
• Develop and implement strategies with district office staff to accomplish the agency's regulatory and statutory goals, as directed by the Assistant Director of Field Operations.
• Evaluate proposals for exceptions to Statewide Rules 5, 8, 13, and 14 to ensure compliance with the intent and purpose of these rules and protection of natural resources.
• Supervise and review work production, field assignments, inspections, and inspector reports.
• Draft correspondence to operators regarding Commission rule violations and initiate enforcement actions, as necessary.
• Draft, review, and implement technical manuals or presentations, and communicate updates to staff.
• Recommend and implement training programs for field personnel.
• Review complaints filed within the District relating to oilfield operations.
• Conduct employee appraisals, develop personnel performance plans, participate in the hiring process for new employees, and recommend personnel actions as needed.
• Review existing business processes for opportunities to improve and implement necessary changes to meet strategic objectives and state/federal requirements.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to staff and identify professional development and training needs/opportunities.
• Coordinate the Statefunded Well Plugging Program and the Site Remediation Program.
• Oversees and coordinates Critical Infrastructure Field Operations activities.
• Travel up to 10%, for site visits or conducting business in Austin Office.
• Participate and complete additional assignments to maintain production workflow.

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category Program Management

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited fouryear college or university with a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geoscience, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of experience in the management and direction of a program or activity related to the oil and gas industry.
• Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the oil and gas industry, with oil and gas regulatory functions.
• Knowledge of Railroad Commission rules and procedures.
• Registration as a professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Professional Geologist (RPG).
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to both develop and motivate reports.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge in the practices of public administration, management, and budget planning.
• Knowledge of oil and gas regulatory functions and Railroad Commission rules and procedures.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities; to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Extensive knowledge of the Railroad Commission regulations and the Oil and Gas industry.
• Advanced skills in analyzing and organizing information and devising solutions.
• Excellent and effective communication skills, both verbal and in writing.
• Skill in instructing, planning, supervising, and motivating others.
• Proficient in the use of computers and Microsoft software.
• Ability to present technical material to industry, Commissioners, agency staff, and the general public, as required.
• Ability to drive a car or pickup; perform general maintenance on the vehicle; and make tire changes.
• Ability to work on tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively on a team, both as a leader and as a member.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to work flexible hours, overtime, weekends, and oncall duty.
• Must have visual acuity and the ability to discern colors.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver's License and good driving record.
• Skill in exercising logic and sound reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Skill in forming and maintaining positive and productive working relationships both internally and externally to the Commission, including with other state/public agencies, internal work teams, and state/federal oversight agencies.
• Skill in leading change.
• Skill in building and leading work teams, and managing and evaluating program and individual performance.
• Skill in handling multiple priorities efficiently.
• Ability to learn, understand, and interpret oil and gas policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain trust and credibility with management, colleagues, and direct reports.
• Ability to manage business functions and department activities.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives and hold staff accountable.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in any situation.
• Ability to develop the talents of direct reports.
• Ability to reach high and low; open, close, and retrieve files from file cabinets; and lift and/or carry up to 15 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work MondayFriday, 8 AM 5 PM with occasional flexible hours, overtime, weekends, and oncall duty.
• Position requires occasional overnight travel.

Additional Information

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 alternative schedules for employees, provided they do not adversely affect operations or service levels and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework in accordance with the agency's approved Telework Plan. 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 Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS to register or log in: https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant

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 to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.