Mineral Resources Engineer Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established September 4, 1974

Scope

This series describes three Mineral Resources Engineering classes.

Definition of Series

The Mineral Resources Engineer series of classes describes work concerned with the control and administration of leases issued for oil, gas, geothermal and mineral extraction from State-owned or controlled lands. Principal work assignments include the performance of complex engineering work and the supervision of surface and subsurface geological studies designed to determine conformance with lease operating conditions; preparation of geological maps, cross sections and charts and the inspection of State lands under application for mineral lease and prospecting permit.

Work assignments are varied and may be comprised of field investigations, research studies, preparation and interpretation of engineering reports, geologic maps and other graphic statistical data relating to oil, gas and mineral productions.

Entry Levels

Entry into this class series is typically at the Associate Mineral Resource Engineer level. Two years of experience as an Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer (with at least on year at Range B) or equivalent permits entry into Associate Mineral Resources Engineer.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety and complexity of work, nature of public contact, degree of supervision received, latitude for independent judgment and action, and at the Senior and Supervising levels, degree of administrative responsibility, serve as differentiating factors between individual classes.

Definition of Levels

Associate Mineral Resources Engineer

This is the journeyman level. Independently, performs difficult engineering work and supervises surface and subsurface geological studies designed to determine conformance with lease operating requirements for oil, gas, geothermal and mineral extraction operations. Directs the field inspections and prepares or reviews reports on the possible mineral productivity of State-owned or controlled lands, performs engineering calculations including the computation of changes in the State's participation in oil and gas field unit operations; prepares or directs the preparation of mineral prospecting permits and mineral leases; prepares and interprets geologic and engineering reports, maps, property descriptions and statistical data relating to oil, gas, geothermal and mineral operations; prepares reports on operations.

Senior Mineral Resources Engineer

This is the first full supervisory level. Plans, organizes and directs the work of mineral resources engineers and subprofessional assistants engaged in the administration and control of leases for the extraction of oil, gas, geothermal and other minerals on State-owned or controlled lands. Prepares technical reports in connection with oil, gas, geothermal and other mineral extraction operations; evaluates staff performance, provides staff training, and furnishes assistance on difficult technical problems; is responsible for the development of highly specialized information relating to the production of oil, gas, geothermal and other minerals on State-owned or controlled lands.

Supervising Mineral Resources Engineer

Supervises a large engineering staff engaged in the control and administration of leases for extraction of oil gas, geothermal and other minerals from State-owned or controlled lands; prepares reports and recommendations to the Manager, Energy and Mineral Resources Development, and the State Lands Commission relative to mineral extractive operations; makes recommendations and consults with executive staff respecting mineral development policies and procedures; confers with and assists the Attorney General in defending the State's interest in mineral lands and mineral rights in State-owned lands; confers with and advises other State agencies respecting mineral development and mineral rights in proprietary and surplus State lands.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

The following educational requirement is part of Pattern II of the "Minimum Qualifications" for all levels in the series:

Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in mining or petroleum engineering or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (Registration as a Senior in a recognized college will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation before they can be appointed.)

Associated Mineral Resources Engineer

Either I

One year of experience performing the duties of an Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer, Range B, in the California state service.

Or II

Experience: Three years of engineering experience in oil field work in drilling or production operations, or in the technical inspection of such operations, or in the production of other mineral resources. (At least one year of this experience must have been in work comparable to that of an Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer, Range B, in the California state service.) (A master's degree in one of the pertinent fields may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Senior Mineral Resources Engineer

Either I

Two years performing the duties of an Associate Mineral Resources Engineer in the California state service.

Or II

Experience: Four years of engineering experience in oil or gas field work in drilling or production operations, or int he technical inspection of such operations, or in the production of other mineral resources. (At least two years of this experience must have been in work comparable to that of an Associate Engineer in the California state service.)

Supervising Mineral Resources Engineer

Either I

Two years performing the duties of a Senior Mineral Resources Engineer in the California state service.

Or II

Experience: Five years of experience, two of which must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity in oil or gas field work in drilling or production operations, or in the technical inspection of such operations, or in the production of other mineral resources at the level of a Senior Engineer in the California state service.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: California law regulating the drilling, maintenance, and operation of oil, gas and geothermal wells and the extraction of other materials; principles, methods, equipment and terminology of petroleum engineering, mining technology, and geology; the provisions of the Public Resources Code governing lands under the jurisdiction of the California State Lands Commission.

Ability to: Prepare and interpret engineering and geologic reports, maps, graphs and other statistical data relating to oil, gas and geothermal operations and the extraction of other minerals, prepare clear and concise correspondence and reports relating to oil, gas and geothermal operations or the extraction of other minerals; analyze data and prepare reports of technical inspections; direct the work of others; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work.

Senior Mineral Resources Engineer

Knowledge of: All of the above, and oil, gas and geothermal reservoir characteristics or behavior, and methods of estimating mineral reserves; methods and equipment used in such operations, and their safety and legality; methods of oil field construction and operation; department's Affirmation Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, direct, and coordinate the work of an engineering staff; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.

Supervising Mineral Resources Engineer

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of personnel management; organization and objectives of the State Land Commission and of other agencies in the resources field; administrative procedures and case preparation in defending the State's interest in mineral lands and mineral rights in State-owned lands.

Ability to: All of the above, and supervise a large engineering and office staff.

Class History