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Form of workJob Description
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry, and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.
To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:
For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.
Job Description
The Railroad Commission of Texas is seeking an Administrative Law Judge within the Hearings Division Oil and Gas
docket group. The division conducts hearings concerning regulatory aspects of gas utility rates and safety, surface
mining and reclamation, oil and gas exploration and production, as well as critical infrastructure. Presides over hearings,
evaluates evidence, drafts proposals for decision and orders, summarizes expert technical and legal testimony and after
researching pertinent facts and law, formulates recommendations to the Commission. Rules on objections to evidence
and testimony, motions, and pleadings. May draft or assist in drafting administrative regulations. Will create documents
using word processing and spreadsheet programs. Will create documents using word processing and spreadsheet
programs. Will work closely with other Oil & Gas administrative Law Judges and technical examiners.
Responsibilities will involve oil and gas matters, which include issues associated with oil, gas, and geothermal well drilling,
critical infrastructure, weatherization production and plugging operations pertaining to prevention of waste of natural
resources; protection of correlative rights of parties, and prevention of pollution. Must have an ability to review materials
from many differing scientific disciplines relating to geology, soils, surface water and groundwater. Must be capable of
understanding and reviewing complex drawings, maps, and plans.
Reliability and timeliness are crucial, as this position works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude and
independent judgment. This position reports to the Hearings Division Director and will require meticulous attention to
detail and the ability to work on multiple projects and meet crucial deadlines.
Writing Sample is Required
A writing sample, preferably drafted within the past two years, must be submitted for the application to be considered. The
writing sample should be at least 2,500 words in length.
Job Duties
- Manage and preside over dockets in the Hearings Division.
- Apply knowledge of trial and administrative hearing procedures, applicable laws, government regulations, and agency
rules.
- Listen to and analyze testimony of parties involved in hearings. Use reasoning, logic, and judgment to identify solutions
and approaches to make rulings in assigned cases.
- Determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to recognize problems and identify
and facilitate solutions, to communicate effectively, and to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
- Write well-reasoned, grammatically correct, letters, proposals for decision, and orders.
- Speak publicly to present recommendations to commissioners in open meetings.
- Maintain docket files in compliance with open government and confidentiality procedures.
- Use computers and applicable software.
- Must be able to work 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-F, with occasional nights, weekends, holidays.
- Willing to travel 5% of the time.
- Performs other duties, as assigned.
For Military Crosswalk information, please go to: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree.
- Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
- Three years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience presiding over complex administrative and regulatory
proceedings.
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience in oil and gas law.
- Five years of relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of trial and administrative hearing procedures, applicable laws, government regulations, and agency rules.
- Skill in listening to testimony of parties involved in hearings, in using reasoning and logic to identify solutions and
approaches to cases, in using judgment to make rulings in assigned cases, and in using computers and applicable
software.
- Ability to determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to recognize problems and
identify and facilitate solutions, to communicate effectively, and to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
- Ability to present recommendations at Commission Open Meetings.
- Demonstrates strong organizational and time management abilities and abilities to preserve and keep documents safe
and to appropriately coordinate with the preservation of records.
- Ability to work under pressure, coordinate multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively on a team or individually.
- Ability to learn and understand regulatory policies and procedures and interpret processes.
- Ability to exercise tact and courtesy and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Virtual Meeting Platforms).
Work Environment
Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in a general office environment; the noise level in the work environment
ranges from low-to-moderate.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job.
Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and
appropriate office equipment.
Writing Sample:
A writing sample, preferably drafted within the past two years, must be submitted for the application to be considered. The writing sample should be at least 2,500 words in length.
Work Hours and Telework: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, as long as it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework based on the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules and telework may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
Remarks:
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.
Due to the high volume of applications we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age
or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry, and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.
To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:
- Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
- Telework options for eligible positions
- Flexible work schedules
- Retirement pension with a 150% agency match - you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
- 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
- Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Wellness and Exercise Leave
- Career development programs/opportunities for advancement
For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.
Job Description
The Railroad Commission of Texas is seeking an Administrative Law Judge within the Hearings Division Oil and Gas
docket group. The division conducts hearings concerning regulatory aspects of gas utility rates and safety, surface
mining and reclamation, oil and gas exploration and production, as well as critical infrastructure. Presides over hearings,
evaluates evidence, drafts proposals for decision and orders, summarizes expert technical and legal testimony and after
researching pertinent facts and law, formulates recommendations to the Commission. Rules on objections to evidence
and testimony, motions, and pleadings. May draft or assist in drafting administrative regulations. Will create documents
using word processing and spreadsheet programs. Will create documents using word processing and spreadsheet
programs. Will work closely with other Oil & Gas administrative Law Judges and technical examiners.
Responsibilities will involve oil and gas matters, which include issues associated with oil, gas, and geothermal well drilling,
critical infrastructure, weatherization production and plugging operations pertaining to prevention of waste of natural
resources; protection of correlative rights of parties, and prevention of pollution. Must have an ability to review materials
from many differing scientific disciplines relating to geology, soils, surface water and groundwater. Must be capable of
understanding and reviewing complex drawings, maps, and plans.
Reliability and timeliness are crucial, as this position works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude and
independent judgment. This position reports to the Hearings Division Director and will require meticulous attention to
detail and the ability to work on multiple projects and meet crucial deadlines.
Writing Sample is Required
A writing sample, preferably drafted within the past two years, must be submitted for the application to be considered. The
writing sample should be at least 2,500 words in length.
Job Duties
- Manage and preside over dockets in the Hearings Division.
- Apply knowledge of trial and administrative hearing procedures, applicable laws, government regulations, and agency
rules.
- Listen to and analyze testimony of parties involved in hearings. Use reasoning, logic, and judgment to identify solutions
and approaches to make rulings in assigned cases.
- Determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to recognize problems and identify
and facilitate solutions, to communicate effectively, and to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
- Write well-reasoned, grammatically correct, letters, proposals for decision, and orders.
- Speak publicly to present recommendations to commissioners in open meetings.
- Maintain docket files in compliance with open government and confidentiality procedures.
- Use computers and applicable software.
- Must be able to work 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-F, with occasional nights, weekends, holidays.
- Willing to travel 5% of the time.
- Performs other duties, as assigned.
For Military Crosswalk information, please go to: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree.
- Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
- Three years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience presiding over complex administrative and regulatory
proceedings.
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience in oil and gas law.
- Five years of relevant experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of trial and administrative hearing procedures, applicable laws, government regulations, and agency rules.
- Skill in listening to testimony of parties involved in hearings, in using reasoning and logic to identify solutions and
approaches to cases, in using judgment to make rulings in assigned cases, and in using computers and applicable
software.
- Ability to determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to recognize problems and
identify and facilitate solutions, to communicate effectively, and to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
- Ability to present recommendations at Commission Open Meetings.
- Demonstrates strong organizational and time management abilities and abilities to preserve and keep documents safe
and to appropriately coordinate with the preservation of records.
- Ability to work under pressure, coordinate multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively on a team or individually.
- Ability to learn and understand regulatory policies and procedures and interpret processes.
- Ability to exercise tact and courtesy and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Virtual Meeting Platforms).
Work Environment
Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in a general office environment; the noise level in the work environment
ranges from low-to-moderate.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job.
Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and
appropriate office equipment.
Writing Sample:
A writing sample, preferably drafted within the past two years, must be submitted for the application to be considered. The writing sample should be at least 2,500 words in length.
Work Hours and Telework: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, as long as it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework based on the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules and telework may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
Remarks:
- There is one available position.
- Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
- Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.
Due to the high volume of applications we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age
or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.
