Program Officer - Future of Gulf Energy Systems (Legacy Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure)

National Academy of Sciences•Northeast South Bend, IN

47d•$88,450 - $110,560•Hybrid

About The Position

In 2013, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance energy system safety and the protection of human health and the environment in the Gulf of Mexico and other U.S. outer continental shelf areas. The GRP seeks to improve understanding of the region's interconnecting human, environmental, and energy systems and apply this knowledge to benefit communities and ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico and other regions with offshore energy production or potential in the outer continental shelf of the United States. JOB SUMMARY: This position is for a Program Officer (PO) for the GRP's Energy Unit, the Future of Gulf Energy Systems (FuGES). The PO is responsible for developing and managing one or more research programs or projects that align with the mission of the Gulf Research Program (GRP) in accordance with the GRP's Strategic Plan and the settlement agreement. The incumbent develops program activities and ensures that they meet objectives, timelines, and budget. Appoints and manages committees/panels and serves as staff liaison between committee/panel members, the GRP, and the National Academies. The PO position requires skills in project management, problem solving, research, analysis, technical writing, public speaking, meeting facilitation, and proficient oral and written communication with a broad range of audiences. Successful candidates will have a working knowledge of the Gulf of America's energy production and transportation landscape, and ideally, experience related to managing oil and gas infrastructure or with State and/or Federal agencies that regulate oil and gas operations. The incumbent will work in a team environment with expert volunteers from outside the institution and internal GRP and National Academies staff in executing programmatic activities, projects, or programs. The incumbent will oversee FuGES' legacy offshore oil and gas infrastructure workstream. The current objectives of this workstream are to: 1) advance regional understanding of the scale, impact, and risks associated with legacy oil and gas infrastructure, 2) advance risk assessment methodologies and tools to evaluate the potential environmental, public health, and economic hazards from abandoned wells, pipelines, and/or platforms, 3) build scientific understanding of environmental impacts associated with legacy oil and gas infrastructure, and 4) support cross-sector dialogue and collaboration among multi-state regulators, industry, researchers, non-profits, and communities. Types of projects the incumbent may oversee include fostering a community of practice to facilitate knowledge transfer among governmental entities, industry, non-profits, academia, and other groups around legacy offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf region; and developing funding opportunities to support the creation of inventories of legacy offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf region, as well as monitoring and modeling tools to assess environmental emissions associated with such infrastructure. The incumbent is expected to carry out the roles and responsibilities of the job with minimal oversight by the Senior Program Officer. Job Description: NOTE THAT A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION

Requirements

Advanced knowledge in applicable discipline(s) such as energy and environmental policy, petroleum engineering, civil engineering, geological sciences, earth and environmental sciences.
Knowledge of the Gulf region and institutions, agencies, and communities is a plus.
Strong program/project management and facilitation skills.
Ability to share technical/scientific issues with diverse audiences.
Ability to solve varied and complex problems using originality and ingenuity.
Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.
Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgement and action.
Ability to independently develop and manage multiple and complex projects, and ability to work in or form successful team environments.
Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness.
Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments, and external constituents through effective communication.
Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with many levels of staff and constituents.
Master's degree in a field related or equivalent knowledge.
Three years of related professional experience.
Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying scientific/technical/policy information in verbal and written form.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for a Ph.D. in related field.
Experience working with offshore energy infrastructure.
Experience working with offshore energy stakeholders including industry and state and federal agencies responsible for regulating oil and gas operations.

Responsibilities

Manage the activities associated with the Legacy Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure workstream. Foster a community of practice with multi-state regulators, industry, researchers, non-profits, and communities through virtual and in-person meetings. Develop and oversee funding opportunities, manage review panels, oversee grant management.
Identify priority issues related to abandoned offshore infrastructure, particularly relating to understanding the risk in near and offshore environments in the Gulf region. Identify areas of alignment and potential collaborative opportunities with ongoing or developing GRP activities.
Design new programs within the Legacy Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure workstream including overseeing funding opportunities and working closely with state and federal agencies that oversee oil and gas infrastructure in the near- and offshore environments.
Works with the Senior Program Officer to design, implement, and manage complex program(s) or project(s) involving Gulf energy production and transportation systems. Develops program or project strategy, manages budget, and ensures program or project meets objectives.
Organizes, staffs, and executes large and small workshops and/or meetings including virtual, hybrid, and in-person. Develops agendas, establishes purpose and objectives, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries.
Supports committee members, workshop participants, etc. in all aspects of work in fulfilment of the project's statements of work.
Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, academia, and other organizations. Represents the unit, the GRP, and the National Academies within and outside the National Academies.
Ensures that projects proceed within budget and on schedule, as per the statement of work and project design. Collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.
Conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities. Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers). Drafts and edits materials for publication. For studies and other applicable programs, synthesizes and edits research findings and technical data and determines the relevance of data for purposes of activity.
Where applicable, works with GRP Communications team to create and maintain materials, web sites, and social media channels to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities.
Where applicable and with Senior Program Officer oversight, recruits potential committee/panel nominees and assembles appointment packages. Communicates and coordinates with the committee/panel chair and members. Identifies and gathers research materials for the committee. Facilitates the flow of information among committee/panel members, consultants, staff, and other applicable parties.

Benefits

Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.

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