RRC - Natural Resources Specialist I - II

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry; and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance. 

Job Description

The Railroad Commission of Texas seeks a Natural Resources Specialist to work within the Applications and Permits (A&P) Section of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Division (SMRD). This position offers the opportunity to implement the Texas Coal Mining Regulations for Texas mines. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Director. The ideal candidate has demonstrated technical and regulatory aptitude, is friendly, professional, and enjoys advanced problem-solving. The job title for this position will be determined by the Division's business needs and the selected applicant's qualifications.

Essential Job Duties

• Review permit application sections (new, renewals, revisions, transfers) relating to post-mine land use, geology, and soil baseline information, post-mine soil reconstruction plans, post-mine soil monitoring plans, and post-mine revegetation plans.
• Review monitoring reports (soils and revegetation) to determine whether they meet regulatory requirements for approval.
• Review bond release applications.
• Prepare detailed technical reports advancing a professional opinion regarding the adequacy of an application or monitoring report in meeting the requirements of the Texas Coal Mining Regulations and program requirements with respect to baseline, operations-plan, and reclamation-plan information for the technical areas listed below.
• Responsible for the technical evaluation of submissions in some or all of the following areas of expertise:
  • Soil and overburden data and handling plans
  • Agronomic plans for the re-establishment of soils and vegetation to support post-mine land-use plans

  • Surface-water quality and quantity data

     

• A working knowledge of:
  • Environmental protection practices
  • Procedures for successful revegetation of mined lands
  • Quality control of analytical data
  • Statistical methods in the assessment of natural resources data
  • Facilitate the completion of multidisciplinary application processing as project coordinator.

  • All evaluation reports may be presented as evidence in administrative hearings, and the reviewer may need to provide expert oral testimony at such hearings.

     

• Upon request, assist field personnel in field evaluations and aid other earth science and agronomy staff with research and tasks related to permitting activities and monitoring of surface mining and reclamation operations.
• Respond effectively to inquiries and requests from the regulated industry and the public concerning all aspects of surface coal mining, reclamation, exploration permit application processing, surface uranium mining, and exploration permit processing, as necessary.
• As requested, identify program changes and/or special projects to improve program effectiveness, and assist in the implementation of such through a formal, established procedure.
• Performs other duties as assigned by his/her manager or the Assistant Director.
   

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_NaturalResources.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

Natural Resources Specialist I

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in soil science, environmental science, natural resources, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• Effective writing, reading, grammar, and communication skills.
• Valid Texas Driver's license and a good driving record.
  
   

Natural Resources Specialist II

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in soil science, environmental science, natural resources, biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
• One or more years of relevant work experience.
• Effective writing, reading, grammar, and communication skills.
• Valid Texas Driver's license and a good driving record.

Note: Relevant education and experience may be substituted for one another on a one-to-one basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in soil science, agronomy, forestry, and/or mining.
• Experience dealing with consultants and regulatory agencies.
• Experience with environmental regulations.
• Experience with CAD or GIS software for assessment and map production.
• Experience in the collection and assessment of soil, vegetation, and water samples and lab analyses.
  
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Major coursework in soil science, agronomy, or forestry with related experience.
• Use and maintain all state-owned property to ensure that all equipment is in safe working condition (i.e., vehicle maintenance).
• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to address issues/concerns in a professional manner.
• Ability to respond to high-pressure situations and meet changing demands and timelines.
• Proficient in the use of computer systems, utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and database systems.

Demonstrate excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills.

Miscellaneous Requirements

• Ability to work other than Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, with occasional flexible hours, overtime, and weekends.
   
• Position requires ~10% overnight travel.
   

Work Environment:

• Must be willing to work in all types of weather conditions when out in the field.
• Must be able to walk several miles in inclement weather conditions and over uneven terrain.
• Exposure to wildlife and poisonous plants is likely during field inspections.
  
   

Physical Requirements

• The physical requirements described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
   
• Ability to lift and/or move 50 pounds. Must be able to operate state-owned vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, and small trailers in inclement weather and all types of driving conditions.

Work Hours: 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 Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or log in: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

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. 
 

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age 
or disability in employment or in the provision of services. 
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.