Deputy Director

Salary

$110, $150,000.00 Annually

Location

Baton Rouge, LA

Job Type

Unclassified

Job Number

DCE-OAD MMR

Department

DCE-Department of Conservation and Energy

Division

Office of Administration

Opening Date

12/02/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

Background

The Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) was created by Act 727 of 2024 as a financial arm within the State Mineral and Energy Board (SMEB). The NRTA's mission is to develop and manage financial instruments that secure obligations related to oil-field site restoration — particularly the plugging and abandonment of orphaned wells. The Authority assumed responsibility for the administration of financial security mechanisms previously managed by the Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association.

As the fiduciary body responsible for holding and managing state resources tied to plugging and abandonment obligations, the NRTA must operate independently and at arm's length from any agency or individual. Louisiana statutes place the Authority under the oversight of the SMEB and require coordination with the State Bond Commission and State Treasury. Public finance laws mandate treasury deposits, expenditures only through legislative appropriation, and full collateralization of balances. Ethical and fiduciary rules further require impartiality, segregation of duties, and transparent governance. These safeguards protect public funds, uphold legal compliance, and ensure the NRTA acts only with explicit authorization from the SMEB.

Scope and Purpose

The NRTA is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing financial assurance mechanisms that reduce the state's fiscal exposure and provide long-term environmental protection. These mechanisms include pooled financial assurance programs, site-specific trust accounts, alternatives to traditional surety instruments for oil and gas operators, and decommissioning funds for renewable energy facilities. As Louisiana expands its portfolio of energy development, the Authority's work ensures that long-term liabilities associated with resource extraction, restoration, and environmental remediation are financially secured and responsibly managed.

Within this framework, the Deputy Director plays a critical role in ensuring programs are fiscally sound, legally compliant, and operationally efficient. The position supports the Executive Director in strategic planning, financial modeling, fund administration, policy execution, and coordination with oversight entities such as the Legislature, State Treasury, and SMEB.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director of the Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) serves as a senior leader responsible for the design, oversight, and administration of the Authority's financial assurance programs. The position provides high-level leadership across strategic planning, regulatory compliance, internal operations, and interagency coordination to ensure the NRTA fulfills its statutory mission of safeguarding Louisiana's natural resources and minimizing state fiscal risk.

The Deputy Director oversees complex financial programs involving substantial public funds, contingent liabilities, and long-term environmental obligations. The role requires strong financial literacy, regulatory expertise, and the ability to manage risk-bearing instruments such as pooled assurance funds, operator risk grading systems, and long-term liability planning models. The Deputy Director also leads internal policy development, supervises cross-functional teams, and fosters a culture of accountability and performance. The individual may act on behalf of the Executive Director and assume executive responsibilities as needed, contributing to the stability, effectiveness, and credibility of the Authority.

• A bachelor's degree in finance, public administration, engineering, law, environmental science, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant discipline such as energy regulation, environmental policy, fund administration, or financial compliance.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional programs, preferably in a public or quasi-public sector environment.

The position supports the Executive Director in the full scope of the Authority's responsibilities, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across financial assurance, interagency coordination, internal management, and public accountability functions. Serve as the principal advisor to the Executive Director on all operational, policy, legal, and programmatic matters, helping to shape strategic priorities and ensure alignment with the Authority's statutory mission and legislative intent.

• Lead the administration of financial assurance programs, including fee collection, risk-based schedules, operator grading, and enforcement of structured financial security requirements.
• Oversee actuarial reviews, cost projections, and financial risk analyses to guide program design and ensure long-term solvency of state-managed funds.
• Manage internal financial operations, including budgeting, fund transfers, reimbursements, and ensuring compliance with state fiscal controls and auditing standards.
• Direct fiscal transparency and reporting efforts, including legislative reporting, publication of financial data, and stakeholder engagement on fiscal accountability.
• Coordinate interagency risk mitigation and legal readiness, including responses to operator insolvencies or events that may increase state-held liabilities.
• Develop and implement rules, policies, and procedures governing financial security determinations and operator compliance across oil and gas, carbon sequestration, and renewable energy sectors, while supervising technical, financial, and legal staff.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Unclassified

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

Compensation: $110,000 - $150,000 annually

The final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Email: _DCE-

Human Resources Division

Department of Conservation and Energy

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Benefits

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Parental Leave– Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave– State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement– State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System ). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana ),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System ), among others

Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority.