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Job Title:	Director of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Class Title:	MANAGEMENT
Type of Announcement:	This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Closing Date/Time:	Mon. 05/21/12 11:59 PM Mountain Time
Primary Physical Work Address:	Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 1120 Lincoln Street Room 801 Denver CO 80203
Salary:	$6,662.00 - $12,073.00 Monthly
Hiring Pay Rate:	Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
FLSA Status:	Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Job Type:	Full Time
Who Competes:	Individuals eligible for transfer, non-disciplinary (voluntary) demotion, or reinstatement will be required to participate in the competitive assessment process in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Location:	Denver Metro, Colorado
How To Apply:	Thank you for your interest. Submit an on-line application by clicking the link below or submit a State of Colorado Application for Announced Vacancy and all supplemental questions according to the instructions provided below. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed above.
If not applying on-line, submit application to:	Department of Natural Resources Human Resource Office 1313 Sherman Street Room 415 Denver CO 80203 Fax: 303-866-6499
Department Contact Information:	Mary Vigil Human Resource Specialist mary.vigil@state.co.us 303-866-2667 x8646
Methods of Appointment:	Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created or the transfer, non-disciplinary (voluntary) demotion or reinstatement applicants. However, there is the possibility that appointment(s), for valid, articulated business reasons may be made by transfer, reinstatement, disciplinary or non-disciplinary demotion, trial service reversion, placement due to return from military service or another method of appointment not stated.

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Department Information  Benefits  Supplemental Questions
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources was created with a mission to develop, preserve and enhance the state’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future citizens and visitors. The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) mission is to foster the responsible, balanced development, production, and utilization of the natural resources of oil and gas in the State of Colorado in a manner consistent with protection of health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources; protect the public and private interests against waste in the production and utilization of oil and gas; safeguard, protect, and enforce the rights of owners and producers in a common source or pool of oil and gas, and plan and manage oil and gas operations in a manner that balances development with wildlife conservation in recognition of the state's obligation to protect wildlife resources and the hunting, fishing and recreation traditions they support, which are an important part of Colorado's economy and culture. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado.  Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado.  Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more: Effective. Measure every aspect of government to be sure it’s doing what it’s supposed to do and to look at outcomes to judge whether our programs are successful. Efficient. Deliver services in ways that are timely and effective including identifying waste and duplication and measure for efficiency.  Elegant.  Deliver state services in a way that elevates both the state employee and the person receiving the services.  In addition to a great location, rewarding, meaningful work, we offer: Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans Medical and dental health plans Paid life insurance Short- and long-term disability coverage 10 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training opportunities and more.
Description of Job:
The Department of Natural Resources is recruiting for a dynamic leader to direct the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES), which is a performance-based pay plan reserved for senior-level management positions responsible for relatively large or important segments of a principal department. Employees in SES agree to and sign a contract which expires and is re-negotiated annually. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Plan, organize, direct and manage the operation of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to ensure the most efficient, effective and customer focused delivery of products and services. Interpret and implement statutes, policies and directives issued by the Colorado Legislature, Governor and Department of Natural Resources Executive Director. Enforce the rules and regulations adopted by the commission. Oversee the activities of the OGCC through subordinate managers, for Engineering, Environmental, Finance, Hearings, and Information Technology. Devise long and short-term plans to ensure fulfillment of the OGCC's mission. Advise commissioners on programmatic policies which guide the agency.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions and Conditions of Employment:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in petroleum engineering, geological engineering; hydrology; natural resource policy, planning, law or conservation; natural resources management; reclamation; soil science; agronomy; public administration; or a closely related field; AND Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in petroleum engineering, geological engineering, natural resources law, regulatory compliance, environment protection or the reclamation of disturbed lands.  The experience must have included the following: Two (2) years managing a large multiple level organization through subordinate level staff; and Two (2) years of professional public or business administration which included establishing organization structure, developing strategic work plans, budget development and control, setting goals and objective to achieve program results and fostering a team environment. Substitutions: Experience that provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor’s degree.  A master’s or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in petroleum engineering, geological engineering; hydrology; natural resource policy, planning, law or conservation; natural resources management; reclamation; soil science; agronomy; public administration; or a closely related field; may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree and two years of general experience. There is no substitution for the required two (2) years experience managing a large multiple level organization or the two (2) years of required experience of professional public or business administration.  Necessary Special Requirements:  Former employees of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources must have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire.  Conditions of Employment: Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with the ability to independently travel. Must be willing to travel with some overnight travel for several days at a time often on relatively short notice. A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Department of Natural Resources Office of Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges. Must be willing to be on-call in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. Required Competencies: Progressively responsible professional experience in petroleum engineering; geological engineering; natural resources law; natural resource policy or regulatory compliance.  Proven experience in budget, financial and contract management. Proven experience managing a staff with diverse professional experience and qualifications. Proven experience in policy analysis, development and implementation. Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills. Ability to problem solve and execute decisions. Excellent leadership, supervisory and team building skills. Ability to work in a complex political environment. Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
Supplemental Information:
Please submit an on-line application, resume, transcript and cover letter. The exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measure used to arrive at a top group of applicants. If you do not submit transcripts at the time of application, you will be required to submit later in the selection process.

Colorado Regulators Hold Fracking Disclosure Hearing - View Public Comments

Dec 5, 2011
CBSDENVER 4


DENVER (AP) — Requiring oil and gas companies to publicly disclose what chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing is important, but it’s not the first line of defense for protecting public health and the environment, the director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission said Monday.

David Neslin’s comments came at a public hearing on the commission’s proposal to require public disclosures of fracking chemicals that aren’t trade secrets. It wasn’t clear whether commissioners would act on the proposal Monday.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, involves blasting water, sand and chemicals into rock formations to free oil and natural gas. Companies have been fracking for decades, but as drilling expands into more populated areas, residents near wells have expressed concerns about potential effects on their health and drinking water.

More than 100 people overflowed the room where the commission held a hearing Monday on the proposed rules.

Neslin said disclosures are important, but more critical are the state’s rules for monitoring wells, ensuring proper casing and cementing around oil and gas wells, and sampling water to help detect contamination.

“It’s only one tool,” Neslin said

Continue reading...

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Read the PUBLIC COMMENTS HERE


We think Neslin is the 'Tool.'

 

RELEASE: Colorado Supreme Court to hear Grand Valley Citizens Alliance vs Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission arguments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sandy Borthick, Citizens for Huerfano County, 719-742-5702, borthick@amigo.net

Ceal Smith, TIERRA Consultants, 719-256-5780, ceal@theriver.com

Denver, CO - Citizen rights lawsuit to be heard by Supreme Court tomorrow.

Grand Valley Citizens Alliance vs Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) will be argued in front of the Colorado Supreme Court at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. The decision in this case will determine the rights of landowners, citizens and community groups in Colorado to directly request a public hearing with the COGCC on matters of oil and gas development. The hearing will be held at the Colorado Supreme Court, 101 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 800, Denver, CO 80202 (Directions / Map). Call: 303-837-3790 for more information.

You can learn more about this precedent setting case at: No. 09CA1195. - GRAND VALLEY CITIZENS ALLIANCE v. COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION USA - caselaw.findlaw.com: GRAND VALLEY CITIZENS' ALLIANCE, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION; David Neslin, in his official capacity as Acting Director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Citizens for Huerfano County filed a related lawsuit against the COGCC and Shell Western Energy Production, Inc. (SWEPI) earlier this year and subsequently enjoined the GVCA case. Learn more about the CHC case here: http://huerfanofrack.blogspot.com/p/timeline.html

Colorado regulators question drilling moratorium - This has upset Oil and Gas Companies

Denver Post

Posted: 10/04/2011 08:08:09 AM MDT

Updated: 10/04/2011 12:56:21 PM MDT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Colorado oil and gas regulators are questioning El Paso County's decision to impose a four-month moratorium on drilling permits after county officials were warned about plans for large-scale drilling in the county.

Dave Neslin, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said regulators do not believe a local moratorium is appropriate. He said the state provides sufficient regulation and local officials did not discuss the temporary ban with the commission.

Under state law, counties can set land use regulations to address such issues as setbacks, environmental aspects and site safety. They also are worried about impacts to roads and ensuring adequate and safe water supplies.

The state regulates drilling and extraction activity that happens beneath the surface.
El Paso County has no local rules. Staff members warned the county commission last week that an undisclosed energy company was considering setting up large-scale exploration pad sites soon.

The story was first reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette (http://bit.ly/qG8BGa).

County officials say the four-month suspension would give county leaders more time to create local land use regulations and set up a permit process.

Continue reading...


Get over it O&G. You are destroying the land of the people. Have a shot of warm frac-fluid and tuck yourself into bed. You are not the 'King' of all kingdoms. You are not an authority that supersedes all minions. You are a human that simply steps on others for a dollar bill. In fact, you are not a civilized human. If an environmental or human health issue is in question, you should refrain from operations. Period.

This is a serious concern Mr. David Neslin, and you need to understand that you are not abiding by your mission statement, wherein it states:

The mission of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is to foster the responsible development of Colorado's oil and gas natural resources.

Responsible development results in:

• The efficient exploration and production of oil and gas resources in a manner consistent with the protection of public health, safety and welfare
• The prevention of waste
• The protection of mineral owners' correlative rights
• The prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts 

The COGCC seeks to serve, solicit participation from, and maintain working relationships with all those having an interest in Colorado's oil and gas natural resources.


Listen to the people Neslin! Empty your pockets and work for the people!

Fracking debate heats up in Windsor Colorado - Complaints

Aug. 16, 2011 
Bobby Magill/The Coloradoan


Michael Ward, chief operating officer for Ranchers Exploration, speaks to a crowd of residents Monday night about the company's interest in drilling for oil 1½ miles directly beneath Windsor neighborhoods, which are in Larimer County along the Poudre River, using a drilling technique called directional drilling.

WINDSOR - Don't frack our neighborhood.


That was the message more than 150 River West and Ridge West subdivision residents sent to Ranchers Exploration during a town hall-style meeting Monday night after the Greeley oil company sent each homeowner a lease to sign that would allow it to drill for oil 200 feet from the homes.

Residents attended the meeting worried about the implications of oil drilling encroaching on their homes and degrading property values, and they worried how a drilling method called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which the companies use to crack open rock underground, might hurt their health.

Continue reading...


OUR TAKE:

We were present at this meeting.  The image above is a directional view of the over 150 people that were present.  This image was taken after many people had been fed up and actually walked out of the meeting. Prior to many people walking out, there were concerned surface owners lined up along the side of the wall elbow to elbow and out the entrance door anticipating any qualitative and quantitative information they expected from this meeting.

The sweet, low voiced, often non-audible rhetoric and repetitive excuses from Michael Ward caused many people to shout attacks like: “Why did you come here if you know nothing about fracking?” “We want answers to our questions and you have not provided any to our questions.” "Go home if you are not here to help us."

Mr. Ward deferred any and all questions to the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission’s (COGCC) website. WTFrack.org are hydraulic fracturing investigators and we have seen hundreds of people deferred to the COGCC to indemnify the CEO's like Mr. Ward from any answers they may have erroneously provided.  Mr. Ward is following the Oil &Gas mantra of attempting to pacify the public with hopes and dreams and big money but in reality, the surface owners have no rights when it comes to sub-surface mineral mining under the Split Estate Law. 

SPLIT ESTATE LAW

“In split estate situations, the surface rights and subsurface rights (such as the rights to develop minerals) for a piece of land are owned by different parties. In these situations, mineral rights are considered the dominant estate, meaning they take precedence over other rights associated with the property, including those associated with owning the surface. However, the mineral owner must show due regard for the interests of the surface estate owner and occupy only those portions of the surface that are reasonably necessary to develop the mineral estate.

 “The specific drilling site hasn't been determined yet,” said the company's chief operating officer Michael Ward. However,  later in the evening Ward stated “they will initially start fracking on the open areas.”

Dave Neslin, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said last week that nearly all of the thousands of wells in Northern Colorado have been fracked, and the commission has yet to receive any complaint about contamination from fracking fluid.

In the COGGC’s complaint database it showcases ten complaints in Larimer County where on 12/03/2010 MAGPIE OPERATING, INC, Operator number 52530 had received a complaint from Nick Pizzuti/Xcel Energy.  

Mr. Pizzuti (Xcel Energy) called and left message that condenstate (natural gas condensate is a low-density mixture of hydrocarbon liquids that are present as gaseous components in the raw natural gas produced) and pipeline liquids were coming to the ground surface at the Xcel Energy Boyd Lake regulator station.

Date Rec'd:	12/3/2010	Complaint taken by:	STEVE LINDBLOM
DocNum:	200285530	API number:	05-069-05073
Complaint Type:

Complainant Information

Name:	Nick Pizzuti/Xcel Energy
Address:	1123 W 3rd Ave Denver , CO 80223
Date Received:	12/3/2010
Connection to Incident:	employee of Xcel Energy

Description of Complaint:

Operator:	MAGPIE OPERATING, INC
Oper. No.	52530
Date of Incident:	12/3/2010
Type of Facility:	WELL
Well Name/No.
County Name:
Operator contact:
qtrqtr: SESW section: 20 township: 5N range: 68W meridian: 1

Complaint Issue
Issue:	SPILLS	Assigned To:	STEVE LINDBLOM	Status:	In Process
Description:	Mr. Pizzuti (Xcel Energy) call ed an left message that condenstate and pipeline liquids were coming to the ground surface at the Xcel Energy Boyd Lake regulator station.

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Other Notifications
Date:	3/28/2011	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
Informed Mr. Warner that analytical results from March 4 samples exceed Table 910-1 standards for TPH. Warner replied that additional investigation and remediation would be conducted. Refer to scanned email of 3/28/2011
Date:	3/4/2011	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
Subsequent to additional excavation, COGCC staff visited location. Collected soil samples from bottom and sidewall of excavation. Warner collected split samples. Analysis of sample indicated TPH in excess of Table 910-1 standards.
Date:	1/5/2011	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
COGCC revisited site. Collected additional soil samples. Analytical results indicate TPH >500 mg/kg. Notified Ryan Warner. Magpie will plan additional remediation efforts.
Date:	12/28/2010	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
COGCC staff visited location. GPS extent of excavation. Dug down approx. 2 feet below bottom of excavation and collected soil sample. Analysis of sample indicated TPH in excess of Table 910-1 standards. Inform Magpie of elevated soil concentrations and sggested additioan; measures necessary to remediate site.
Date:	12/8/2010	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
Informed Mr. Warner that sample results exceeded allowable elvelsa dn informed him additional excavation would be necessary.
Date:	12/7/2010	Agency:	TestAmerica	Contact:	Lori Parsons
Response or Details
Recieved analytical results indicated conentrations iof TPH in excess of Table 910-1 Standards.
Date:	12/3/2010	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
Magpie explained their intentions to excavate the impacted soi and repair the leak in the pipeline. COGCC suggested that it would be necessary to collect samples of soil to verify that all impacted soil had been removed.
Date:	12/2/2010	Agency:	Magpie Operating	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
COGCC East CO Env Supervisor visited site of spill (s/2 20 5N 68W). Excavation in progress. Soils with stain and odor observed along north wall of excavation. Magpie intended additional excavation and soil sampling. On return visit, COGCC noted excavation partially backfilled. Collected soil samples from excavation sidewall and backfill material for TPH analysis.
Date:	12/2/2010	Agency:	Magpie	Contact:	Ryan Warner
Response or Details
COGCC East CO Env Supervisor visitied site (s/2 20 5N 68W. Excavation in progress. Soils with stain and odor observed along northwall of excavation. Magpie inteneded additioanl excavation and soil sampling. On return visit, COGCC noted excavation partially backfilled. Collected soil samples from excavation sidewall and backfill material for TPH analysis

source WWW.COGCC.state.co.us

Complaint Location

The Oil & Gas industry is an army of unregulated looters unbound by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. They do not have to comply with the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Superfund Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 

The citizens have but one recourse: create and sign en mass, a petition that calls for a moratorium on fracking until such time that scientific studies assess the direct and indirect impacts hydraulic fracturing, frac-fluids, fugitive emmissions, and any and all related procedures, equipment and compounds that may have negative impacts on human health and the environment as a whole. The moratorium should also include a full disclosure on frac-fluid (toxic chemicals used in the processes of fracking), and a full disclosure on all water sources used and quantities of water used annually in Larimer and Weld counties for the use of fracking.

The citizens must be informed and must work together to stop this industry from potentially destroying the environment and their livelihood.  WTFrack.org will be providing such language for a moratorium very shortly where you can participate in your local area.

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