Operations Specialist - Water

SM-Energy Company•Midland, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Specialist — Water is a field-forward role responsible for overseeing all aspects of produced water and salt water disposal (SWD) operations across SM Energy's Permian Basin development area. This position serves as team lead for lease operators and serves as the primary point of contact for all in-house and third-party water management activities. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience running SWD systems, a track record of leading field personnel, and the ability to manage vendor relationships and contracts with minimal oversight.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in oil and gas field operations, with exposure to produced water or SWD systems
Demonstrated experience supervising field personnel (lease operators, contract crews, or similar)
Working knowledge of salt water disposal well operations, including injection equipment, flowlines, and monitoring systems
Strong vendor management and communication skills
Ability to work independently in the field and make sound operational decisions under pressure
Basic level of skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office
High School Diploma or equivalent required

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in related field preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operation of salt water disposal wells and associated infrastructure
Monitor SWD injection volumes, pressures, and equipment performance to ensure reliable, compliant operations
Coordinate scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on SWD facilities, pumps, tanks, and flowlines
Troubleshoot operational problems and implement corrective actions in a timely manner
Ensure all SWD activity complies with applicable state (RRC) and federal regulations
Directly supervise and provide day-to-day direction to a team of lease operators assigned to water-related duties
Set priorities, assign tasks, and hold operators accountable for performance and safety standards
Conduct regular field visits to verify work quality, provide coaching, and address operational issues on-site
Support onboarding, training, and development of lease operator team members
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement in the field
Serve as the primary operational contact for all third-party water vendors, haulers, and disposal providers
Manage vendor performance against contract requirements, including volumes, scheduling, and service quality
Review invoices and field tickets for accuracy and compliance with agreed-upon rates and terms
Coordinate with the land and legal teams when contract questions or disputes arise
Participate in vendor bid evaluations and selection processes, providing field-level input on capabilities and fit
Track daily, weekly, and monthly water volumes (produced, disposed, transferred) and report to operations management
Identify capacity constraints and proactively escalate issues before they impact development activity
Support development planning by providing operational input on water infrastructure needs for new areas
Maintain accurate records of SWD well performance, vendor activity, and field observations