GEOLOGIST III/IV - SALT CAVERNS AND DISPOSAL WELLS

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Join a growing team of consulting engineers, geologists, and project managers specializing in design, permitting, drilling, and maintenance of subsurface salt caverns and injection wells. Lead and participate in chemical, oil and gas, and green energy subsurface storage projects including hydrogen storage and carbon sequestration, from early feasibility design, permitting, detailed design, and construction.

This full-time position will work closely with Strata’s team of experts and our clients to provide technical geology support, project management, and leadership for salt cavern, disposal well, and other underground injection control (UIC) regulated subsurface projects. This role involves a variety of responsibilities requiring independent critical decisions, including preparing UIC applications, reviewing and drafting regulatory and technical reports, and reading and interpreting state and federal laws and regulations regarding UIC activities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in geology, along with experience in the oil and gas industry, particularly in areas related to subsurface storage and underground injection and waste (produced water) management. This role will actively participate in industry organizations, including conference attendance, technical paper review and/or presentations, and participation on research committees. This is an exciting opportunity to be a leader in a unique and challenging field.

Applicants must be able to work within a team environment and individually and uphold professional ethics. Some travel and working at client locations will be required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The ideal candidate for this position should excel at performing and exhibit the following:

General

Prepare thorough, complete, and accurate proposals in response to client requests.

Develop appropriate and timely formal written responses to client and regulatory agency feedback.

Analyze complex geologic data and formulate conclusions.

Understand and explain rules and regulations.

Coordinate with other internal and external technical experts, regulators, public officials, and clients to achieve resolution of project challenges, including engineers and geophysicists.

Proficient in planning, scheduling, and time management activities.

Manage contracts with service providers and clients.

Proficient in technical writing; review documents for completeness and accuracy.

Represent Strata and clients in public meetings and industry events.

Make presentations to clients, regulators, co-workers, public interest groups, and other parties.

Feasibility Studies and Permit Applications

Prepare UIC permit applications and respond to regulatory feedback.

Duties include geologic mapping, wellbore completion review, AOR preparation, waste characterization, waste plume modeling, regulatory applicability review, and technical writing.

Report Preparation

Draft technical reports for submission to clients and/or regulatory agencies.

Review and revise technical reports.

Compile technical report documents and format for finalization.

Mapping, Cartography, and Figures

Direct the preparation of geologic cross sections, stratigraphic maps, and other geologic maps and figures necessary for permit applications, reports, and feasibility analyses.

Conduct area of review (AOR) for UIC permit applications.

Field Geology

Perform geologic interpretations.

Supervise open and cased-hole well logging, site surveying, well clean-outs, and other well-site activities.

Pick tops and identify geologic zones from wireline logs.

Log wells during drilling.

Oversee or observe coring operations.

Occasional site visits.

Internal Management and Leadership

Review and evaluate the work of direct reports, colleagues, and outside parties to provide concise, professional feedback.

Advise management and other technical professionals on forms, workflows and electronic enhancements.

Develop tools and processes to improve the quality and efficiency of geotechnical team work products.

Provide training and oversight for direct reports and junior staff.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Experience

8 or more years of experience in oil and gas exploration and production, produced water management and disposal, midstream oil and gas operations, solution mining, reservoir or salt cavern storage, UIC, and/or disposal wells.

Geologic interpretation, geotechnical analysis, engineering design, project management, and project controls (schedule and cost management).

Knowledge of geotechnical principles, theories, and practices.

Familiarity with GIS software and map or figure development. (Software competency NOT required.)

Experience with oil and gas, storage, or disposal well workovers, drilling, testing, and related relevant duties.

Regulatory experience involving permitting and technical review of UIC Wells

Education and Certifications

Bachelor's degree in Geology, Petroleum Geology, Geologic Engineering, Civil Engineering, or similar degree from accredited university.

Willing to pursue Professional Geologist registration in Texas and/or Louisiana if not already obtained.

Professional Geologist registration in Texas and/or Louisiana with the capability and intent to achieve reciprocation in either or both states. (preferred)

Master’s degree in Geology, Petroleum Geology, Geologic Engineering, Civil Engineering, or similar degree from accredited university. (preferred)

Computer Skills

A high degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, is a must.

Familiarity with ArcGIS, Petra, SWIFT, and other trade-specific software.

AutoCAD, Python, Microsoft Excel w/ VBA. (preferred)

Interpersonal

Must be able to effectively communicate complex geology and science concepts to clients, co-workers, and regulators in a manner that can be understood by all.

Able to train and guide junior technical staff.

Experience managing a team or direct reports preferred.

Client Risk Profile

Able to understand the risk profile of each client and communicate potential risks to a client in a manner that is both informative and suggests paths for resolution.

Must be able to work under attorney/client privilege and respect and uphold client confidentiality.

Written Communication

Effective technical writer for the preparation of reports, plans, memos, letters, etc.

Workload Management

Able to prioritize and successfully accomplish multiple tasks at once.

Personality Attributes

Self-motivated and desires upward mobility within the freedom of a growing company.

Meets or exceeds goals, deadlines, and commitments.

Punctual and communicative.

Manages pressure and stress well.

Approaches clients and coworkers respectfully and with consideration.

Attention to Detail

Demands the highest quality of work products including data and information accuracy.

Verifies information with clients and desires input from internal team members to get the best results.

Reviews own work prior to requesting internal review. Seeks improvement in quality and efficiency.

Physical Activity

Applicants must be able to work outdoors in variable climate conditions while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Must be able to climb ladders and stairs.

Must be able to stand, squat, and/or kneel for short periods of time.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.

Transportation

Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Travel

Must be willing and able to travel up to 10% of the time with overnight stays for field assignments.

Authorization to Work

Must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Screenings

This position requires initial and ongoing background checks and drug and alcohol screenings.Company Description

WHY WORK FOR STRATA?

Strata provides flexible work hours along with the opportunity for career growth. All employees willing to exhibit the drive and desire to be successful and improve and develop client and service provider relationships will experience financial and professional growth.

Compensation and Benefits

Strata offers competitive salaries and an excellent employee benefits package for eligible employees, including:

Fully-paid comprehensive health and dental insurance premium for employees (expandable to family coverage at employee expense)

Hybrid work options available after training

401k retirement plan with company match

Short Term Disability Insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Dependent Care Account (DCA)

Company cell phone or allowance

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement program

Professional training

Career advancement opportunities

Performance bonuses

ABOUT STRATA

Strata provides a full range of professional engineering, environmental, compliance, and technical services nationwide, serving heavy industrial, commercial, and public and private sector clients since 1999. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach to any project. Each client and every situation is unique which is why we are continuously diversifying our resources in order to provide clients the most custom solution possible. At Strata, a custom solution means a stress-free, seamless answer to their compliance and environmental needs.

Our tradition fosters innovation. Strata provides incomparable know-how to our clients. We deliver solutions best fit for beneficial outcomes, but above all, we aim to create long-lasting partnerships. Strata has office locations in Wichita, Kansas, and Houston, Texas. View our website at

Strata, LLC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workforce. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Full-time