This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, in the Well Operations Section located in Houma, Louisiana. This position serves as a technical expert on oil and gas drilling operations and is responsible for assuring the technical adequacy of well designs, drilling programs, and abandonment procedures while ensuring that the operations are conducted in accordance with the applicable lease terms and regulations.
Performs technical reviews of applications for permit to drill, approval to change plans, alter casing programs, and plug and abandon new wells. Provides technical reviews and assessments on new and/or revised welding and burning plans pertaining to drilling operations for compliance with the regulations and submits completed plan to the supervisor for approval.
Participates in inspections involving the full range of operations such as drilling, workover/completion, plugging and abandonment, environmental quality, H2S and sulphur operations, and activities on the OCS that often include facilities with known safety and environmental problems or hazards. Assures that leases under suspension of production are conducting operations in accordance with the approved activity schedule.
Visits oil & gas leases under District supervision on a regular basis to determine that proper operating practices are followed, particularly where unusual or unique problems have developed, and analyses of such drilling operations are beyond the scope of the inspectors, lower graded engineering staff, and platform operators.
Mentors and provides technical leadership, expertise and guidance to lower-level engineers and other staff in the conduct of day-to-day operations, investigations, inspections, and audits. Presents testimony as an expert witness on complex petroleum issues concerning drilling operations
This position does not allow substituting education for experience. This position has a mandatory education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted.
Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.
https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification
becky_olson@ios.doi.gov · 218-853-5937
This position is with Marine Minerals Administration, Department of the Interior.
The posted pay range is $122749 – $159575/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-20.
This is a In accordance with the rotational schedule established in the district, the incumbent will be available for afterhours work-related advisory telephone calls from operators at night and on weekends and holidays. position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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