The energy industry – oil & gas sector in particular – is bracing itself for a massive wave of retirements over the short to medium term, which has been dubbed “The Great Shift Change.” As the industry prepares for this turnover, companies are looking to the next generation of candidates with skills ranging from finance, geology, engineering, law, etc.

Additionally, lots of exciting opportunities are opening up in various renewable energy sectors as technological advancements rapidly disrupt traditional utility business models. The energy efficiency business is also growing by leaps and bounds, as significant cost saving benefits associated with using less energy are an easy sell for most businesses.

With these issues in mind, Breaking Energy highlights a few interesting energy jobs on a weekly basis. 

Director, State Government Relations 

Shell; Houston, TX

The Director of State Government Relations will be part of the Gov’t Relations Americas leadership team. The position will oversee a 6 Regional Government Affairs Managers, associated support staff and contract lobbyists; Individual will also hold GR accountability to directly manage a region of the country, the state team budget and Ethics and Compliance requirements including reviewing and monitoring entries in the Code of Conduct register.

• Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.
• Bachelors Degree from a accredited school is required.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years experience in an External Affairs or Government Relations environment required.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral required.
• Keen attention to detail and possess a strong ability to assess and balance risk and opportunity required.
• Previous State Government Relations experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Oil & Gas Industry preferred.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Previous experience working in large corporate structure preferred.
• Must have the ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts and programs at the highest level of government and business.
• 40% domestic/international travel required.
• Position could sit in Houston, New Orleans, or Washington DC.

Reservoir Engineer  

ConocoPhilips; Greater Prudhoe, AK

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide reservoir engineering expertise to ensure that ongoing development and management of the Greater Prudhoe Area and initial development of the Point Thomson Field, maximize the value to ConocoPhillips and its shareholders.  This is achieved by optimizing the field development plans to maximize the economic recovery of hydrocarbons, while minimizing field development costs.  Key tools in achieving this goal are 1) robust field development plans and 2) the use of reservoir simulation to optimize development and operating plans.

• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or related technical degree
• 3+ years of reservoir engineering experience
• Proficient with Excel, PowerPoint, OFM, and RMS
• Demonstrated influence management skills
• Strong commitment to delivering results while maintaining a safe environment
• Able to effectively communicate with major stakeholders, including ConocoPhillips Alaska organizations, ConocoPhillips technology groups, and co-owners
• Strong organization skills with ability to manage multiple ongoing activities
• Experienced with waterflooding and miscible gas enhanced oil recovery
• Experience with ConocoPhillips FEL processes
• Responds resourcefully, flexibly and positively when faced with challenges and demands
• Positions and explains ideas that motivate others to action
• Builds positive relationships across organizations that foster a strong work environment
• Transmits information so it is received and understood in the way it was intended

Associate GIS Analyst 

New York Power Authority; White Plains, NY

The Environmental Studies and Remediation group is responsible for supporting other business units within the New York Power Authority (NYPA)  and the various project sites to:

• Assure that NYPA meets its environmental regulatory obligations and requirements in a sound and cost-efficient manner
• Develop records to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulatory requirements
• Ensure the application of sound environmental management principles to technical issues and in-field or in-facility activities
• Provide study and activity process designs to accomplish the environmental/regulatory aspects of larger projects
• Plan and conduct/manage work requiring independent evaluation according to standard techniques, procedures, and criteria
• Assure that enterprise-wide geo-database contain the most current datasets available and best technologies are being utilized by the Geographic Information System (GIS) community.
• Plan and schedule GIS deliverables with groups or individuals requesting services.

Required Experience

• Bachelor degree in the natural sciences (Geology, Geography, Environmental Science, Biology or comparable field) with major or minor in GIS-related disciplines or equivalent experience,. Education must include at least 21 semester credit hours in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), surveying, cartography, and/or photogrammetry. Completion of nine additional semester credit hours in any combination of cartography, photogrammetry, GIS, computer science, remote sensing, photo interpretation, statistics, and/or surveying.
• Minimum three years of experience working with geographic information systems and spatial analysis. Master’s degree in applicable field can be substituted for 1 year of experience.
• Direct experience with  ArcGIS for Server technology is required.
• Utility experience including transmission systems is preferred.
• Utility vegetation/ROW Management experience is preferred.