New Job Cogcc - Eastern Environmental Supervisor In Colorado

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  Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

This position exists to provide rapid response to and investigation of complaints alleging impacts to public health, safety, welfare, and the environment and when necessary to take appropriate enforcement actions; to provide process level technical support in the permitting, inspection, review, and remediation of oil, gas, and injection wells, and exploration and production (E&P) waste management facilities; to conduct investigations to establish baseline, current conditions, or evidence of impacts from O&G activities. These investigations include preparing work plans, collecting samples for laboratory analysis, collecting field data, making scientific observations, applying scientific theories, concepts, and principles, interpreting analytical results, compiling data, preparing comprehensive reports, making presentations, providing testimony at hearings. This position works with procurement to hire 3rd party consultants and experts to assist in investigations.

In addition this position supervises and is accountable for the work product of four (4) EPS II positions and one (1) EPS III position in the eastern half of the state. This position will assign tasks, monitor work progress and flow, check written reports and correspondence for accuracy and content, schedule work, and work with the DJ Basin Supervisor, West Supervisor, and Reclamation Supervisor to establish work standards that are used consistently by the entire environmental unit. This position is responsible for the formal supervision of subordinate positions in the same series. The elements of these responsibilities will include documentation to support recommended correctional or disciplinary action, developing and signing performance plans and appraisals and resolving informal grievances. The position may start the hiring process, interview applicants, and recommend hire, promotion, or transfer. This position is accountable, including signature authority, for actions and decisions that directly impact pay, status, and tenure.

On July 1, 2006, the funds available to conduct investigations (Fund 170) were increased from $180,000 to $312,000. With this additional funding the number and complexity of the investigations conducted by the Environmental Work Group has significantly increased. A line item entitled “Special Environmental Protection and Mitigation Studies” has been created and funding of $500,000 cash funds authorized from the Fund 170 has been appropriated on an ongoing basis. This provides the funding for a greater range of projects and investigations that are developed and implemented by the Environmental Work Group. This position will identify need for and make recommendations to higher management and to the commission about special environmental projects that should be conducted by COGCC staff and its 3rd party contractors to fulfill the COGCC’s mission of regulating the development of oil and gas resources in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.

In the event of an oil and gas related emergency under the jurisdiction of the COGCC, staff uses funds from the $1.5 million dollar “spending authority” from Fund 170 to respond. Staff has responded to numerous emergencies and given the current high level of O&G activity in the state there is a high likelihood that other situations will occur that will require emergency response. This position will assist higher level management in allocating the appropriate resources to respond to emergency situations in the northeastern portion of the state. This position will be called upon to manage complex and dynamic aspects of emergencies related to spills and releases of exploration and production waste in a manner that protects the safety of communities nearby.

This position will ensure that COGCC staff responses are in compliance with the MOU with CDPHE-WQCD for spills and releases of E&P waste that enter waters of the state and that occur in the northeastern portion of the state. This position will review this MOU periodically and evaluate its effectiveness. Should the MOU require changes, then this position will recommend changes and coordinate with the COGCC’s Assistant AG and the WQCD to effect any changes that are necessary.

• Formal supervisor for positions #42, #53, #96 and #124.
• Assign tasks, monitors work progress and flow, checks the written work products for accuracy and content, conduct field training and oversight to ensure consistency in technical approach and enforcement of COGCC rules and regulations.

• Respond to complaints from landowners, local governments, other interested or affected parties alleging impacts to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. Response activities include:
  • Interviewing complainants, nearby residents, and operators.
  • Interviewing and working with representatives of state, local, or federal agencies.
  • Determining a plan of action and developing plans to investigate and resolve the complaint.
  • Collecting samples of ground water, surface water, gas, oil, condensate, or other potentially impacted media for chemical and isotopic analysis.
  • Making visual and olfactory observations about and documenting the existing conditions at a site, including domestic water wells, surface water, springs, soil, O&G wells, tank batteries, pits, and other E&P waste management facilities.
  • Evaluating the observations and analytical results to determine whether the alleged impacts or other impacts from O&G operations have occurred.
  • Using Fund 170 moneys to hire appropriate 3rd party contractors to assist in collecting and analyzing samples, and evaluating and interpreting data.
  • Writing scientific and technical reports that document the analytical results and the evaluation of all of the collected data, which requires excellent writing skills, determining the best format in which to present analytical results, creating maps, charts, and graphs, using scientific and mathematical software such as Excel, Access, PC-GPS, Rockware.
  • Communicating clearly and concisely both in writing and verbally with complainants, operators, other interested parties, media, other COGCC staff, and the Commission.
  • Serving as a resource to complainants by helping them understand COGCC Rules and the applicable laws, and helping them use the COGCC complaint process.
• Initiate and provide technical support for, and determining the appropriate level for enforcement actions.

• Conduct the technical review of, determines conditions of approval on a site specific basis for, and approves applications for permits for E&P waste management facilities and activities.
• Evaluate spill reports and remedial action plans developed by operators and their 3rd party contractors that involve the remediation of impacted ground water, surface water, and soil.
• Plan, develop, and carries out remedial action plans and estimates fiscal and manpower requirements for remediations conducted by the COGCC using Fund 170 moneys.
• Assist in and provides technical expertise for the review of oil and gas development plans, oil and gas location assessments, and applications for permits to drill.
• Receive and review initial and supplemental spill reports, determines appropriate conditions of approval and necessary emergency response action; evaluates data provided to make site closure decisions. Receive and review initial and supplemental site investigation and remediation workplans for spills and facility closures, applies necessary and reasonable conditions of approval to ensure regulatory compliance, protection of groundwater and other sensitive receptors, cleanup in accordance with COGCC rules, and timely site closure.
• Conduct onsite inspections to ensure compliance with applicable environmental rules and regulations and to ensure that impacts to public health, safety, welfare, and the environment are not occurring as a result of the operations at these facilities.
• Collect samples of ground water, surface water, and soil for laboratory analysis to determine both violations and compliance.
• Initiate and provide technical support for enforcement actions and determines appropriate level of enforcement.

• Provide technical knowledge and guidance to the regulated community on implementation and applicability of COGCC Rules.
• Work with local governmental agencies to provide information to public on oil and gas operations, practices and procedures, and COGCC Rules, orders, and policies.
• Work to develop Operator guidance, Staff processes and COGCC forms necessary to implement rules. Participate in and/or organizes and conducts follow-up stakeholder meetings, additional rulemaking, and assesses the need to reallocate resources including recommendations for the hiring of additional FTE.
• Provide technical knowledge and regulatory expertise in enforcement matters.
• Provide guidance to Staff to initiate and develop robust enforcement cases where appropriate.
• Assist in preparation for hearing, by reviewing presentations, conducting mock-trials, and testifying as an expert in support of Staff.

• Propose appropriate projects to management for the expenditure of Fund 170 moneys that establish baseline ground water, surface water, soil, gas seep, and vegetation conditions, and track and document changes, if any, to these media that result from O&G activities.
• Develop detailed work plans, procures necessary services and commodities, implements or manages the implementation of the work plan, including tracking costs, approving invoices, and insuring that projects precede in compliance with state procurement rules.
• Conduct public meetings to disseminate information to interested parties, local, state, and federal agencies. Makes presentations to the COGCC Commission regarding the status of the projects and the final results and conclusions.
• Evaluate, synthesize, and incorporate as appropriate, comments and suggestions from other state, local, or federal agencies, industry, and other interested parties.
• May be called upon to defend research and findings and refute oppositional statements.

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for year basis.

• Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
• A current & valid Driver's license is required for operating a state vehicle and occasional travel is anticipated.
• Must be willing and able to occasionally exert up to 20 lbs. of force to move objects
• Must travel within Eastern Colorado to meet with staff, operators, local governments, surface owners, and others

The Assessment Process

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Department of Natural Resources is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Anna Kargobai-Murray, at [email protected].

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Anna Kargobai-Murray at [email protected] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

The Department of Natural Resources uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll–Free Applicant Support - Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues. Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.