EDF’s Natural Gas Program:
Natural gas is an important and growing part of our nation’s energy portfolio. It emits less greenhouse gases than coal when combusted and avoids mercury and other dangerous air pollutants that come from coal. It could be a win-win, if--and this is a big ‘if’--we produce it the right way. The “right way” entails putting tough rules in place that lock in mandatory environmental safeguards to protect communities. It also requires that industry develop and implement improved field practices and environmental management systems. EDF is taking a leading role to ensure that natural gas provides real and sustained carbon benefits without harming the environment or health of the communities where gas development occurs.
Overall Function:
This technical advisor will support EDF’s efforts to: (a) encourage the natural gas industry to improve its environmental performance; and (b) achieve comprehensive regulatory reform in states accounting for 80% of domestic unconventional onshore natural gas production. Under the direction of the EDF’s Senior Policy Advisor (based in Austin, TX), the technical advisor will be responsible for providing expertise to a diverse team of policy experts, lawyers and scientists regarding how to reduce the environmental impacts of well drilling and construction, , hydraulic fracturing, surface infrastructure, water and waste management, and other aspects of upstream operations.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic counsel to the EDF Natural Gas national team and other senior EDF leaders on opportunities to influence and enhance gas industry practices.
- Envision and design innovative technical solutions for dramatically reducing the environmental impacts of gas production practices.
- Proactively engage with leading organizations such as the State Review of Oil and Gas Environmental Regulations (STRONGER), the American Petroleum Institute, and the centers of excellence envisioned by the Natural Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board. Propose and negotiate improvements to their existing and emerging guidelines for environmental performance. Oversee the development and maintenance of ongoing relationships with the key technical experts at each of these organizations and other key industry groups.
- Evaluate proposed state regulations and legislation pertaining to upstream operations. Submit detailed technical comments to regulators and legislators.
- Advise EDF staff and partners on technical issues and identify emerging organizational priorities.
- Author a variety of internal and external documents, including memos, talking points, presentations, articles and policy papers
Qualifications
- Ideally, bachelor’s degree in geology, geophysics, petroleum engineering, hydrogeology or related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
- Approximately 7-10 years industry experience (or more) in the natural gas industry or in a regulatory agency with jurisdiction over the industry.
- Familiarity with all aspects of surface operations, especially water management, waste management, and innovative approaches to minimizing infrastructure impacts, such as noise and truck traffic.
- A “big picture thinker” who can envision how to evolve existing practices into better practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills essential. This includes the abilities to translate technical information for policymakers and other non-technical audiences; and to negotiate and persuade.
- An interest in leveraging technical knowledge to strengthen environmental and health regulations that govern the natural gas industry.
- Ability to work in collaboration with EDF staff and partners in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience. Able to prioritize and be flexible.
- Ideally candidates will be based in the Austin, Texas, area, but candidates located in other parts of the country, who would work remotely, will also be considered. Ability to travel frequently.
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