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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00106194 |
Description Activated On: 1/9/2026 3:36:48 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. The duties of the Oil and Gas Inspector are to conduct monitoring and compliance activities and various reviews for an assigned geographic area to administer Act 214, the "Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act"; Act 13, the "2012 Oil and Gas Act "; Act 359, the "Oil and Gas Conservation Law"; Act 394, the "Clean Streams Law"; and Chapters 78, 79, 102 and 105 of the Rules and Regulations of the Environmental Quality Board. |
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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. Adhere to Departmental policies concerning Safety, Occupational Safety Footwear, Occupational Safety Eyewear, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, Confined Spaces Policy, and Violence In The Workplace among others. Check for hazardous atmospheres when gases may be affecting the normal atmosphere. Conduct field inspections of oil and gas wells during the drilling, production, alteration, inactive and plugging phases of the well’s life. This includes wells in coal and non-coal areas, conservation wells and gas storage reservoirs. Inspections are conducted to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations, determine if permits have expired and that wells are being drilled at the site indicated by the plat map. Inspections may include investigation of spills and releases of gas. Permits, maps, well records, files and the rules and regulations are consulted to determine compliance. Samples and data are gathered as needed to determine compliance. Photographs and videos are taken as needed to document conditions found on site. Inspection reports are completed and filed to record the results of the inspection. Inspection results are input into the eFACTS system. Copies of inspection reports are sent to the operator. Follow-up activities are conducted as necessary to assure compliance. Inspect proposed school sites to check for possible hazardous conditions due to the presence of active or abandoned oil and gas wells, pits or well equipment. Advise school officials, consultants and contractors as needed. Conduct routine inspections of oil & gas development activities including conducting virtual administrative inspections when necessary to efficiently complete telework that accomplishes the agency’s mission in accordance with Management Directive 505.36 - Telework. These activities may include site preparation, road building, well drilling, waste disposal, pollution prevention measures, site restoration or production activities. These inspections are for the purpose of determining compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act and the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act. The major emphasis of inspection is environmental protection through pollution prevention measures and erosion and sedimentation control measures. Conduct inspections of various oil & gas operations utilizing Department issued electronic equipment to record and document all inspection results. Utilize Department issued electronic equipment to record and document inspection results of various oil & gas operations. When necessary, utilize VDI / VPN and other available technology to input investigation details, sample information, and inspection data into OG SUBSAIR, CTS, SIS, and eFACTS systems. Properly care for and maintain Department issued electronic equipment. Conduct gas storage reservoir maintenance inspections, usually in the company of industry personnel, to determine safety conditions and the integrity of the storage wells. This includes reviewing records of pressures, maintenance of equipment and the physical condition of the storage wells and other non-storage wells in the reservoir. If an operating coal mine is within 2,000 feet of the storage reservoir, wells in the protective area are also inspected. Pressure measuring and recording equipment provided by the operator are used to assure that storage pressures are within the allowable limits. Results of the inspection are recorded as a written report and a copy is submitted to the operator. Respond to and attempt to resolve complaints concerning oil & gas activities relating to health and safety of the public, environmental concerns, site reclamation, abandoned wells, violations of the rules and regulations and other concerns. Investigate ownership of wells. Investigate wells identified as orphan wells. Recommend abandoned wells to the plugging fund. These activities are accomplished through field inspections, telephone communication and meetings. Results are documented in writing and complainant is kept informed of results. Input investigation results into the complaint tracking and eFACTS systems. Act as the first level in determining if an emergency exists. Maintain district files with permits, well records, notice of intent to plug, plugging certificates, transfers, correspondence and phone calls that are specific to any well, complaint or compliance activity and files on compliance activities. Complete and file reports on weekly and monthly basis as required, including CATS, automotive reports, expense reports and inspection reports. Maintain inventories of equipment. Prepare correspondence necessary for the performance of duties. Inform operators of problems and violations of the Rules and Regulations, initiate compliance activities, recommend means to resolve violations, write notices of violation, help draft orders, penalties and citations. Track progress of corrective actions by field inspections and reviewing information sent to inspector. Provide testimony in hearings and trials. Consult with other staff in preparation of compliance actions. Review alternate methods. If necessary, inspect well or well site to determine appropriateness of alternate method. Contact operators about appropriateness of alternate methods. Review well records, plugging certificates for correctness and compliance with the Rules and Regulations. Contact operators to correct errors on well records and plugging certificates. Determine attainable bottom during plugging. Review and recommend action on requests for waivers, variances and exceptions. These activities are accomplished through the use of the Rules and Regulations, files, maps and onsite investigations. Recommendations for approval or denial are given to regional staff. Operate and maintain a motor vehicle to travel to work sites, meetings and training. Operate and maintain vehicle in accordance with Department policy. Operate and maintain various instruments to conduct field measurements such as explosimeters, pH meters and conductivity meters. Maintain and use personal safety equipment. Evaluate and assist business and industry in pollution prevention and energy efficiency initiatives relative to program specific issues. Assist with regional OPPEA by attending site visits as assigned. Provides pollution prevention and energy efficiency information during the course of daily relationships with regulated community. Assist in responding to Right-to-Know and file review requests. Gather and compile responsive documents and submit to the RTK Coordinator or Office of Chief Counsel for determination on compliance with request. Promotes the Department’s mission. Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. This job 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. Overtime may be required as well as working on weekends and holidays due to unusual circumstances. |
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 both orally and in writing. Written assignments are often duties that are done weekly, monthly, and continuously in the performance of job duties. Work can be specific or general in nature. Work is reviewed by a supervisor checking reports, follow-up of progress and field observation. |
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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. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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