About the opportunity
As a Petroleum Engineer within the Orphan Wells Program Office (OWPO), you will serve as a technical expert and lead for multidisciplinary teams focused on the plugging and remediation of orphaned wells. You will review technical plugging plans, evaluate environmental remediation techniques, and ensure compliance with federal laws to protect groundwater and natural resources. The role involves conducting field inspections, desk audits, and critical assessments of grant applications and programmatic reports. You will provide authoritative advice to the Division Chief on well plugging, lease bonding, and liability transfer, while developing data models to predict future orphaned well liabilities. This is a temporary promotion or detail opportunity not to exceed 4 years.
Salary and benefits
- Salary range: $125,776 to $163,514 per annum
- Federal employee benefits package
- Opportunity for telework with supervisor approval
- Professional development through high-level technical project leadership
Who can apply?
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license
- Must meet specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in Federal service
- Must meet basic educational requirements in engineering or a combination of education and experience
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Must pass a background investigation and E-Verify check
Required documents
- Resume (maximum 2 pages, including hours worked per week)
- Most recent performance appraisal (signed, within the past 18 months)
- College transcripts
- Valid state driver's license
- SF-50 (for current or former Federal employees)
- Veterans preference documentation (if applicable)
- Proof of eligibility for special appointing authorities (if applicable)
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-10-27 at 11:59 PM ET
How to apply
- Click the Apply Online button on the USAJOBS portal
- Complete the required application questionnaire
- Attach all necessary supporting documentation
- Submit the application package by the deadline
- Complete the USA Hire Assessment if notified after submission
Additional information
- This position is a temporary promotion and/or detail not to exceed 4 years
- Location is negotiable after selection
- Travel and field work up to 25% of the time may be required
- A 1-year probationary period may be required
- Financial disclosure report required within 30 days of appointment
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experienced petroleum or environmental engineers with a background in well plugging, site remediation, or reclamation.
- Professionals with experience leading multidisciplinary teams and interpreting complex technical data for non-technical stakeholders.
- Current Federal employees seeking a temporary promotion or detail to expand their expertise in national environmental programs.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a temporary appointment (not to exceed 4 years), which may not offer long-term job security compared to permanent positions.
- The role requires up to 25% travel, including field work in potentially rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions.
- The application process is highly structured and requires strict adherence to document formatting (e.g., 2-page resume limit) to avoid disqualification.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is ideal for engineers looking to pivot into high-impact environmental remediation work or those wanting to contribute to national-level orphaned well management. It provides a unique chance to influence federal policy and technical standards while working on a critical environmental challenge, making it a strong career-broadening experience for those in the energy or environmental sectors.
Our take
Qualified petroleum engineers with a strong background in environmental remediation and project management should apply. It is less suitable for those seeking permanent, long-term federal employment or those unable to commit to the required travel and field work.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
