Exempt
Earliest Start Date Immediately
Salary Salary commensurate with experience
Hours per Week 40 hours weekly
Hiring Department University Lands
Required Application Materials A resume is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.
Purpose of Position The Surface Operations Specialist plays a pivotal role in enhancing the value and sustainability of University Lands (UL) by ensuring oil and gas lease compliance and fostering responsible land stewardship. Collaborating with multiple internal departments and externally with Oil & Gas operators, the Specialist ensures leases are producing in paying quantities. When leases are not economic, the Specialist coordinates proper plugging and abandonment procedures and surface restoration activities to keep Permanent University Fund (PUF) lands safe and sustainable.
Key responsibilities include identifying non-productive, low-producing, abandoned, or terminated oil and gas wells, overseeing proper plugging of wellbores, and the diligent pursuit of the abandonment and reclamation of end-of-life leases. These land management functions are critical to safeguarding the long-term viability and value of the PUF surface estate, and by ensuring these lands are maintained sustainably, the Surface Operations Specialist plays a vital role in the stewardship of the PUF lands.
Essential Functions - Develop and support relationships both internally and externally to ensure compliance, environmental sustainability, and the professional management of PUF lands.
- Collaborate closely with Surface Operations, Range Management, Sustainability, Regulatory, Audit, Mineral Land, Legal, Accounting, IT/GIS, and Commercial Surface/ROW for the responsible administration of UL leases, enforcing lessee obligations, and ensuring surface compliance related to the lifecycle of development and reclamation on PUF Lands.
- Serve as a pivotal representative engaging with all other external operators and lessees on the land to facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and alignment of efforts towards sustainable utilization and management of PUF resources.
- Independently schedule and perform oil and gas lease inspections, generate reports and restoration letters, and communicate the findings with operators.
- Create documentation of on-the-ground status and reports for operator notices and communication. Administer status records with actual field observations and report findings to UL departments.
- Manage operator engagement for the performance of production well tests to demonstrate wells or leases are capable of production in paying quantities.
- Inspect oil and gas drilling, production, and storage operations to determine compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Witness and inspect well plugging operations to ensure compliance with state regulations.
- Record and report field observations to Surface Landmen and the Environmental Coordinator with specific attention to spills from upstream/midstream oil and gas activity to prevent environmental, livestock, and wildlife damage.
- Coordinate field audits and educate UL Audit and Regulatory Department regarding the purposes and operation of specific production, separation, and storage equipment.
- Manage decisions regarding the UL lease inspection database. Supervise specific investigations and effectively communicate with operators and internal UL staff.
- Provide direct supervision for abandoned equipment removal with equipment reclamation service companies. Manage and supervise UL-hired contractors to perform similar restoration work as needed.
- Coordinate pipeline and commercial surface lease restoration efforts with the Commercial Contract Surface Department for expired contracts. Oversee contract service providers conducting business or operations on University Lands.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Knowledge of surface ownership, operations, and land management.
- Ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision and remain highly professional, organized, responsible, dependable, and responsive.
- Experience in surface operations and management including field observation, site abandonment, lease inspections and terminations, restorations and reclamation projects.
- Must be a self-motivated and self-driven individual combined with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Capable of understanding O&G and surface contracts and administering the requirements.
- Evaluate complex issues or risks, mediate interactions, and provide effective solutions to initiate remedial actions for all surface and environmental concerns.
- Must have the ability to learn, motivate, offer expert discernment, make challenging choices, and work independently or as a highly effective team member.
- Must be a skilled user of all Microsoft Office programs, GIS Systems, and mapping applications.
- The ability to understand and use GIS for navigation and documentation is essential.
- Excellent professional judgment is required to negotiate work plans and timelines and ensure Operators comply.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree required from an accredited college or university, preferably in energy management, land management, engineering, technology, or related fields.
- Each additional year of experience or education over the required minimum may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
- Direct experience with an exploration and production company or contractor.
- 7 years of professional or technical work in oil and gas operations.
- Experience and expertise in surface operations, land management, and/or reclamation projects.
Preferred Qualifications - 10 years of professional or technical work in oil and gas operations. Permian Basin experience is preferred.
- A working knowledge of University Land surface management, operations, policies, and procedures.
- Previous supervisor or managerial role or leadership in a team environment.
- Knowledge of federal and state oil & gas exploration and production regulations.
Working Conditions - Driving of UT owned vehicle required
- May work in all weather conditions
- May work around standard office conditions
- Requires occasional evening or weekend hours
Additional Information The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in TRS is mandatory.
A background check will be conducted on candidates under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request form the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.
