Senior Environmental Scientist (EMNRD #23255)

The State of New Mexico is hiring a Senior Environmental Scientist for the Oil Conservation Division. This role involves overseeing environmental remediation projects related to oil and gas operations, reviewing plans, conducting site inspections, and managing grants. The position is based in one of five locations in New Mexico, including Aztec, and focuses on protecting groundwater and public health while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Posting Details

This position can be based in any of the Division's five locations: Albuquerque, Artesia, Aztec, Hobbs, Santa Fe.

The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico. The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.

This position is part of the Division's Environmental Bureau, which is responsible for regulating the environmental aspects of oil, gas, operations throughout the state. Its primary goal is to protect groundwater, public health, and the environment by responding to incidents, remediating spills, and reclaiming impacted lands.

As a valued new employee to EMNRD, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.
Why does the job exist?

This Senior Environmental Scientist assists the Environmental Special Project Program of the Oil Conservation Division's Environmental Bureau; this program works on remediating contaminated lands/water around active, and abandoned or orphaned wells and facilities. This position will assist with the oversight and coordination of funds to support OCD awarded vendor contracts for environmental assessment, remediation, restoration, and monitoring contract services associated with oil and gas operations in New Mexico. This includes reviewing remediation plans, closure plans, groundwater abatement plans, bid request, invoices etc. associated with the environmental salvage, remediation, reclamation and revegetation of Oil and Gas well sites and facilities.

This position plays a vital role in the Division's regulatory responsibilities of: fluid management and waste disposal; handling of produced water and drilling fluids; environmental assessment, remediation and restoration.
How does it get done?

1. Assist with the technical review of remediation and reclamation associated with active, and orphaned well and facility sites which includes: evaluate and review site-specific procedures, plans, proposals, and costs for the delineation and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination;
2. Determine technical completeness and review remediation plans and closure reports for conformance with applicable regulations.
3. Interpret and implement provisions of statutes, regulations, policies, procedures and practices related to oil and gas activities and cleanup requirements.
4. Perform environmental site inspections and provide on-site technical oversight of field activities.
5. Assist with infrastructure grant management as it relates to environmental remediation and reclamation associated with orphaned well and facility sites by monitoring and overseeing OCD awarded Vendor compliance.
6. Maintain a project tracking system and yearly timeline to ensure all grant related work is completed by the appropriate deadlines.
7. Other duties as assigned
Who are the customers?

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in protecting natural resources, public health, the environment, and groundwater resources of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate

This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in protecting natural resources, public health, the environment, and groundwater resources of New Mexico.
Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree in Physical, Natural, or Environmental Science, Soil Science, Engineering, or Chemistry and four (4) years of experience in public/environmental health, environmental science, animal science, natural science, biological science, physical science, air quality management, engineering, chemistry, geology, hazardous waste management, wildlife management, and/or water resources. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience
Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and obtain Defensive Drivers Certificate.
Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required. Some field/facility site inspections required.
Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Cory Smith, (505) 419-2687. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.