Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00048478	Description Activated On: 9/16/2026 1:48:00 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This is a supervisory position in the Geologic Resources Section that directs the administration, management, and compliance of Commonwealth issued oil and gas leases on State Forest and State Park lands, natural gas storage, and publicly owned streambeds. This position also manages contracts and activities related to coal, hard minerals, acid mine drainage, abandoned mine land rehabilitation, public water supplies, and pollution issues on State Forest lands.

This position provides a leadership role and directly supervises the administration of leases for conventional and unconventional shale gas exploration and development, and other geology related issues on State- owned lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Lead and supervise program staff in the administration and management of contracts for oil and gas development and production, gas storage, coal, hard minerals, acid mine drainage, abandoned mine land rehabilitation, water protection and conservation, and pollution issues on State Forest and Park lands.

Administer the leasing of publicly owned streambeds and gas storage for oil and natural gas.

Develop program goals and objectives which support the goals and mission of the Bureau of Forestry. Evaluate program operations, needs, services, and partnerships. Make positive adjustments when needed.

Advise and develop recommendations regarding specific contract terms and provisions.

Assist in the negotiations of contracts, dispute resolutions, and settlement agreements.
Manage the processing and retention of contracts.

Recommend legal action for non-compliance issues to senior managers and drafts settlement agreements.

Conduct economic evaluations to determine the value of oil, natural gas, coal, and mineral resources on State lands for purposes of purchase, sale or exchange by the department.
Advise senior managers regarding natural gas development and other geology-related issues on State Forest and Park lands to inform Bureau plans and strategies.

Establish and maintain professional working relationships with parties to contracts. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to resolve any discrepancies and issues concerning contract language and compliance.

Interpret and apply geophysical logs and other well records. Construct, use and interpret cross sections, correlation diagrams, isopach, structure, lithofacies, and aerial geologic maps to support field studies and reports on oil and gas field issues.

Collect, update, edit, maintain, and catalog geospatial data to support program needs.
Manage internal and external data, correspondence, and miscellaneous files in accordance with established procedures.

Collaborate with other central office programs to ensure efficiency with agreement processing and management.

Develop, maintain, and coordinate cooperative partnerships relating to the division’s work and programs with other state agencies including DCNR’s PA Geologic Survey, Bureau of Facilities and Design, and Bureau of Parks; DEP’s Bureau of Oil & Gas Management, Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Abandoned Mines; PA Game Commission; PA Fish and Boat Commission; and operators on DCNR lands and industry representatives.

Provide technical assistance to other state agencies regarding natural gas exploration and development.

Serve on Department and Bureau special teams and committees while balancing participation with program needs and responsibilities.

Train, support, and provide meaningful feedback to staff on a routine basis. Review and update job descriptions annually for accuracy.

Engage, advise, and solicit input from government officials, legislative officials, special interest groups, civic groups, and the public regarding Departmental and Bureau programs, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, goals, objectives and priorities.
Prepare requests for proposals (RFP) and requests for quotes (RFQ) through Procurement to support program contracting needs.

Assist with responses to Right-to Know requests.

Review relevant literature related to best management practices and current research in: natural resources and the environment; oil and gas exploration, development, and production and accounting; natural gas storage; mining; water resources; and reclamation.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Work is assigned through division and program goals, objectives, and priorities. Duties are executed within established policies and are performed with considerable independent judgment. Direction is received from the Division Manager for unique program situations and activities. Work is reviewed periodically and upon completion.

Develops program planning reports and recommendations for the Minerals Program Manager and the Director of the Bureau of Forestry. Any decisions on leasing or major agreements are reviewed and determined by the Director of Forestry and DCNR Secretary. Identifies and assigns work assignments for subordinate staff based on the needs of the program.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Posses applied knowledge of geology, natural resource management, oil and natural gas exploration and development, and contract management.
2.	Develop program goals, objectives, and priorities.
3.	Organize and coordinate workload and assign tasks to staff.
4.	Present technical information in a clear, concise manner.
5.	Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with agency staff, government personnel, the oil and natural gas industry, academia, and the public
6.	Manage staff effectively and proactively.
7.	Resolve conflict professionally.
8.	Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, other government officials, and the public.
9.	Proficient in the utilization of ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Access, Excel, Word, Power BI, and Outlook).
10.	Travel to, and participate in, field work in remote locations and rough conditions.