Engineering Technician Petroleum

Bureau of Land Management • Bakersfield, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bureau of Land Management is hiring an Engineering Technician Petroleum in Bakersfield, California. At the full performance level, the position inspects oil and gas operations and enforces applicable laws, rules, regulations, and conditions in approvals. Inspections cover drilling and work-over, production, environmental matters, and plugging and abandonment.

The technician documents inspection results, issues Written Orders and Incidents of Non-Compliance when problems or violations are found, and conducts follow-up inspections to determine whether operators have complied. The role may also require preparing evidence for legal contests and using government databases to document inspections and enforcement actions. The work requires high-school-algebra-level math to verify cement and drilling-fluid volumes and heights, account for oil and gas production from Federal leases, and complete other assignments. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level.

The position requires successful completion of the Petroleum Engineering Technician Certification Program and two years of continued Federal service after certification. Certification is required at the GS-10 and GS-11 grades and must be maintained. A valid driver's license must be maintained, and a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card must be held or obtained within 30 days of appointment. A financial disclosure report is due within 30 days of appointment. Appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication, and may include a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• For GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6, including at least two specified areas of relevant oil and gas inspection, records review, safety inspection, or inspection reporting experience; or one year of directly related graduate education; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-8: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including at least three specified areas of standardized inspections, production verification, minor incident inspections, plug and abandonment inspections, or report and compliance-action recommendations; or two full years of directly related graduate education or a master's degree; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, including at least four specified areas of oil and gas inspections, production verification and analysis, incident documentation, plug and abandonment inspections and calculations, corrective actions and follow-up, or inspection documentation and database entry; or directly related graduate education or a master's degree as described in the announcement; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if a current Federal employee.
• Provide work hours per week for qualifying employment experience; submit transcripts when relying on education to qualify.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National and successfully pass the required background investigation and E-Verify employment verification.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and possess or obtain a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card within 30 days of appointment.
• Submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.
• Successfully complete the Petroleum Engineering Technician Certification Program and continue Federal service for two years from the date certification is obtained; maintain certification when required at GS-10 and GS-11.
• Not hold an active real estate license or have an interest in, or hold stocks in, firms with interests in Federal Lands.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in Direct Deposit.

Responsibilities

• Inspect oil and gas operations and enforce applicable laws, rules, regulations, and approval terms and conditions.
• Conduct on-site compliance inspections of drilling and work-over, production, environmental, and plugging and abandonment operations.
• Prepare documentation following inspections and issue Written Orders and Incidents of Non-Compliance when problems or violations are identified.
• Conduct follow-up inspections to determine whether operators have achieved compliance and recommend further action as appropriate.
• Prepare documents for evidence in legal contests when required.
• Use applicable government databases to document inspections and enforcement actions.
• Perform calculations to verify cement and drilling-fluid volumes and heights and account for oil and gas production from Federal leases.

Benefits

• The position and location may be eligible for a 7.5% retention incentive, paid biweekly after 90 days of successful performance.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed