Engineering Technician Petroleum

Bureau of Land Management • Casper, WY

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bureau of Land Management is hiring an Engineering Technician Petroleum to inspect oil and gas operations and enforce applicable laws, regulations, approvals, and operating conditions. The position conducts on-site inspections across drilling and work-over, production, environmental, and plugging and abandonment activities. It documents inspection results, issues Written Orders and Incidents of Non-Compliance when violations or problems are identified, performs follow-up inspections, and recommends further action. The technician may prepare evidence for legal contests and uses government databases to record inspections and enforcement actions. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level. The listed grade levels are GS-07 through GS-09; promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed.

The role includes field work at oil and gas sites, often in isolated areas, with overnight trips and exposure to physically demanding terrain and potentially hazardous equipment and conditions. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster. The position may require being on call 24 hours a day and working extended tours, occasionally exceeding 30 hours. A 7.5% retention incentive may be available for eligible positions and locations, and recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered case by case.

Requirements

• For GS-07, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06, including at least one of: using drilling-fluid monitoring systems; operating and maintaining drilling and production equipment; safety compliance such as following procedures and checking surface casing and cementing operations; or working with engineers and technical teams to optimize production methods. Alternatively, one year of directly related graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-08, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including at least two of the listed specialized experience areas for GS-07, plus reviewing regulations related to the petroleum industry as one possible area. Alternatively, two years of directly related graduate education or a master's degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-09, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, including at least three of the listed specialized experience areas, including technical guidance and assistance with on-site onshore oil and gas inspections or drafting correspondence such as reports, inspections, and violations as specified in the announcement. Alternatively, two years of directly related graduate education or a master's degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Meet competitive service time-in-grade requirements where applicable.
• Resume must state hours worked per week; current federal employees may need to submit a non-award SF-50 to validate work schedule. Applicants using education to qualify must submit transcripts.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship; appointment is subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication; successfully pass E-Verify; and participate in Direct Deposit.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must not hold an active real estate license or have an interest in or hold stocks in firms with interests in Federal Lands.
• Obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card within 30 days of entering on duty and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment; must be able to operate four-wheel-drive vehicles.
• Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) within 30 days of appointment.
• Successfully complete the BLM Petroleum Engineering Technician Certification Program and continue Federal Government service for two years from certification; certification is required and must be maintained at GS-10 and GS-11.
• Serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment requires written agency certification that it advances the public interest.
• Meet all qualifications by the announcement closing date, October 30, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Inspect oil and gas operations and enforce applicable laws, rules, regulations, approvals, and their terms and conditions.
• Conduct on-site compliance inspections of drilling and work-over, production, environmental, and plugging and abandonment operations.
• Document completed inspections and issue Written Orders and Incidents of Non-Compliance when problems or violations are found.
• Conduct follow-up inspections to determine whether operators have achieved compliance and recommend further action as needed.
• Prepare documents for evidence in legal contests when required.
• Use applicable government databases to document inspections and complete enforcement actions.
• Complete the BLM Petroleum Engineering Technician Certification Program and maintain certification as required at the GS-10 and GS-11 grades.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• A 7.5% retention incentive may be available for eligible positions and locations after 90 days of successful performance.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified candidates on a case-by-case basis.

What This Job Offers

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