Oil and Gas Inspector

Special Hiring Rates:  $40,000.00 - Department of Environmental Protection 

* Special Announcement*

At this time the Department of Environmental Protection has an immediate hiring need in the following counties: Doddridge, McDowell, Pleasants, Raleigh, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wyoming. When applying online, be sure to mark all counties you would be willing to work in or commute to, so your name can be placed on the proper register. 

Currently, there is a ten (10) day re-apply and retest waiting period. Any time you retake the same test, your new score, whether higher or lower, will automatically replace any previous test scores. See additional information below. 

Under limited supervision, at the full-performance level performs technical and field inspection work in the oil and gas program to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits and best management practices within an assigned region of the state. Authority is given to follow up violations with initiation of civil or administrative proceedings or criminal prosecution, including swearing out warrants, or taking other action provided by law to effect prosecution, in compliance with established procedures. Work requires travel and outside work in varying weather conditions and over difficult terrain. Subject to emergency response, being on-call and temporary assignment to a different geographical area of the state as necessitated by environmental conditions and agency needs. May be assigned to an area of specialization as detailed above. Performs related work as required.

 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This class is distinguished by its full-performance journey-level nature. Employees at this level perform a full range of inspector duties. 

Hiring Process: This job is a tested position indicated with a (T) beside the title and requires an online examination. Once your application is received, you will be notified from CourseMill (web-based Learning Management System). You must complete the online examination within ten (10) days of receiving your notification or your application will be inactivated.  

DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU CAN TEST WITHIN ten (10) DAYS after receiving your notification from CourseMill.  Online applicants who do not test within ten (10) days of receiving this notification will be inactivated. There is a ten (10 day) re-test waiting period. 

Caution: Any time you retake the same test, your new score, whether higher or lower, will automatically replace any previous test scores. 

This job also requires an oral examination. Applicants selected for the oral exam will be notified based on online test performance and the total number of available applicants. Not all applicants will be selected for oral examining. You may use a basic, non-programmable, calculator during the test. 

If you have previously applied for this job and simply want to update your ID (name, address, etc.), work preferences, or county availability, do not re-apply. Instead, email us at applicantservices@wv.gov. 

* Responsible for inspections of all wells, well sites, and associated oil and gas facilities under the authority of the Office of Oil and Gas to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits and best management practices.
* Conducts reviews of field activities, casing programs, plugging procedures and affidavits, reclamation and construction plans, and underground injection control (UIC) wells and facilities.
* Responds directly to spills and complaints; may supervise private contractors during cleanup and plugging activities.
* Conducts investigations of abandoned well sites.
* Will have decision-making authority to coordinate mitigation action.
* Provide technical expertise and assuring environmental compliance which includes all site construction and reclamation work.
* Serves as a liaison between the Office of Oil and Gas and other state and federal agencies.
* Assists in the areas of underground injection control (UIC) and coalbed methane, inspection and monitoring of such activities and facilities.
* Responds to inquiries from surface owners, public, and industry by investigating complaints pertaining to suspected environmental health and safety issues.
* Subject to state and federal emergencies in accordance with approved emergency response procedures as well as to spills or release of pollutants, some of which may be hazardous substances.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations and agency policies and procedures related to oil and gas programs.
* Knowledge of the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and chemistry.
* Knowledge of mathematics and algebra.
* Knowledge of scientific sampling methods and analytical procedures.
* Knowledge of the judicial system and statutory and regulatory procedures.
* Knowledge of basic first-aid procedures, safety regulations and precautionary measures.
* Skill in use and maintenance of laboratory and field monitoring equipment, mobile radio equipment, 4- wheel drive vehicles, and cameras.
* Skill in reading and interpreting topographic maps, engineering plans, drawings and specifications, and in enforcing adherence thereto.
* Ability to apply acceptable methods, procedures and approaches to making a complete and satisfactory investigation of suspected environmental harm.
* Ability to understand statutory and regulatory procedures and agency policies and procedures, and to explain these procedures clearly and concisely.
* Ability to perform chemical field tests and interpret results.
* Ability to carry-out instructions with minimal supervision and exercise good judgment in appraising situations and decision-making.
* Ability to keep accurate records, assemble, analyze and evaluate data, prepare technical reports in a clear and concise form, including recommendations for any warranted corrective actions.
* Ability to communicate for the purpose of obtaining, imparting or exchanging information, clearly and concisely.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, government officials, private business representatives and the general public, deal with controversial matters in a tactful manner, and to effectively represent the agency.
* Ability to walk long distances in adverse weather over rugged terrain and to lift and carry equipment for considerable distances.

To qualify, you MUST meet one of these alternate requirements regardless of your testing performance. Applicants who test without meeting minimum requirements will NOT be scored.

Note: No specific amount of education is required. Required experience in the oil and gas industry shall include technical experience in well design, drilling, completion, production, plugging, underground storage operations, well safety, well construction, well drilling environmental compliance, oil and gas technical work, or other related work. Oil and Gas compliance or inspection experience in a government agency may be considered. Note: Other types of non-drilling related experience such as oil and gas distribution or retail operations does not qualify. 

Oil and Gas Inspector jobs require one of the following:

Two (2) years of actual relevant full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in the oil and gas industry. Relevant experience may include technical experience in well design, drilling, completion, production, plugging, underground storage operations, safety, environmental compliance, well site construction or other related work.

No more than one (1) year of the two (2) years of oil and gas industry experience may be satisfied by the following:

(i) A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in applied, natural, or physical science or engineering;

(ii) An Associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in petroleum technology; or

(iii) One (1) year of environmental experience in wastewater, solid waste or reclamation.

 

Special Requirements: Must be eligible for license to operate a motor vehicle. Must have good theoretical and practical knowledge of oil and gas drilling and production methods, practices and techniques, sound safety practices and applicable water and mining laws. 

ATTENTION: Applicant must verify post high school education by submitting an official transcript or diploma, training or licensure earned pertaining to this position by the closing date of the posting, if not previously verified. If you are claiming Veterans preference, please submit "MEMBER 4" form and/or your VA Letter. Protecting your personal information is our highest priority.  If your official transcript, training/licensure, or Veterans documentation contains your Social Security Number and/or birthdate, please redact that information before submitting it to the Division of Personnel. 

Please attach documents to the online application before submitting it. Or, you may email it to: applicantservices@wv.gov or by mail to: WV Division of Personnel, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Building 3, Suite 500, Charleston, WV 25305.

This announcement is for one or more specific vacancies and only applies to the location(s) indicated. Your application will remain active for this job for 180 days or until the job is filled. Application for this job does not automatically qualify you for other positions. Be sure to submit your application for each position of interest.  To receive an email notice anytime jobs in this or other categories are posted, you may choose to complete a Job Interest Card from the slide-out menu located at the top left of our Job Opportunities page.

TEST STUDY MATERIALS.

The online examination includes seventy (70) multiple-choice items in these areas: General Terminology, Oil and Gas Standards, Reading Comprehension, and Oil and Gas Related Calculations. You may bring and use a basic, non-programmable, calculator during the test.

We highly recommend that you review the below documents PRIOR to taking the online test. Click the name to view and/or print. All documents are in PDF format. No other materials or information is available. Questions about the study materials should be directed to the Division of Environmental Protection.

Study Guide for Inspector test.pdf  - This is a list of specific topics you should focus on in preparing for the written examination.

22-11 Water Pollution Control Act.pdf

22-1 Policy and Purpose.pdf

22-6 Office of Oil and Gas - Oil and Gas Wells.pdf

22-6A Natural Gas Horizontal Well Control Act.pdf

22-7 Damage Compensation.pdf

22-8 Transportation of Oils.pdf

22-21 Coalbed Methane Wells.pdf 

35-1 Miscellaneous Water Pollution Control Rules.pdf

35-4 New Rule Oil and Gas Wellls and Other Wells 35-04.pdf

35-5 Designation of Future Use.pdf 

35-6 Abandoned Wells Rule.pdf

35-8 Rules Governing Horizontal Well Development.pdf

Deep Well Policy 10-22-2012.pdf

Erosion and Sediment Control Manual.pdf (3.9MB download)

General Water Pollution Control Permit.pdf 

Addendum to General Water Pollution Control Permit.pdf (2012)

While this material covers most of the topics included in the examination, the exam may also cover related topics.