ECMC - Enforcement Advisor (Compliance Specialist IV)

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference? Join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Our mission is to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today and tomorrow. We balance development with conservation to provide opportunities for all. Explore our website at to learn more about the work we do for Colorado’s natural resources. The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Benefits Medical, Vision and Dental plans Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA, Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre‑tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans Paid life insurance Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage Employee Wellness programs Flexible Spending Accounts Health Savings Accounts 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave Flexible work schedule options and remote‑work options Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program About Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) The ECMC regulates the development and production of Colorado’s natural resources, including oil and gas, geothermal energy, and carbon capture and storage. Its mission is to protect the environment, public health, safety, welfare, wildlife resources, and the broader community. The Enforcement Unit ensures safe exploration and development and brings non‑compliant operators into compliance through outreach, training, corrective actions, or formal hearing processes. Enforcement Advisor Position The purpose of the Enforcement Advisor position is to engage in negotiations to bring non‑compliant operators into compliance as quickly as possible, and to determine appropriate corrective actions or penalties to remediate any damage to public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources. The advisor litigates allegations of non‑compliance, assembles and leads teams of subject matter experts and lawyers, and serves as a Work Lead for enforcement actions. Specific Job Duties (selected) Prepare notices for hearing, draft Administrative Orders by Consent (AOC’s), manage enforcement cases from beginning to end, directly negotiate AOCs to resolution, and prepare settlement documents. Work with operators (or their attorneys) and ECMC staff to ensure all violations are well documented and that corrective action and penalties are included in the final AOC. Identify witnesses and exhibits, prepare witnesses, conduct direct and cross examination, prepare opening and closing statements, and draft and finalize Commission enforcement orders. Assist and consult with management to provide technical staff guidance on the ECMC enforcement and compliance program and the issuance of Notices of Alleged Violation (NOAVs). Collaborate with engineering, environmental, compliance, permitting, production, and financial assurance units to implement a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement actions. Train, prepare process flow documents, determine enforcement priorities, review existing and draft NOAVs, conduct operator outreach, prepare penalty calculations, project manage warning processes, and propose regulatory and statutory changes. Assess compliance issues across field operations, environmental impacts, and un‑submitted paperwork, ensuring all violations are included in enforcement actions. Minimum Qualifications Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position. OR Education and Experience: A combination of related education and/or relevant experience equal to seven (7) years. AND Experience and/or education related to reading, writing, interpreting, and applying legal documents, regulations, statutes, etc. Substitutions Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year‑for‑year basis. Preferred Qualifications Current or former State experience relevant to this position. Knowledge and/or experience with Colorado oil and gas industry, including current rules and regulations. Knowledge and/or experience with ECMC rules, regulations, and regulatory processes. Law degree from an accredited institution. Excellent legal writing and legal research skills. Professional experience participating in trials and hearings. Demonstrable experience in negotiations, including crafting and memorializing settlements. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking. Experience managing multiple projects with differing deadlines. Experience negotiating and/or enforcing legal agreements. Current Work Arrangement Hybrid: Home office with occasional travel to the main Denver office and around the state for meetings and hearings as directed by the unit Manager. Conditions of Employment Colorado residency is required at the time of application. Remote/Hybrid position – primarily home office, but must be willing to report to the office at 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 – Denver, CO, or other locations for meetings, training, and projects as directed. Former employees of the State of Colorado must have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States; non‑residents of the United States are not sponsored. Travel to out‑of‑town hearings, possibly with overnight stays. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado driver’s license if operating a State vehicle. Assessment Process All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications. Colorado Revised Statutes require state employees to be hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Resumes, cover letters, and other attachments are not considered during initial reviews; applicants must document education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications in the application. All supplemental questions must be answered; responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. The recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to identify the top group for interviews. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” workforce and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and serve them enthusiastically. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. ADAAA Accommodations Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to complete an employment assessment. Contact the Benefits Specialist at View email address on click.appcast.io at least five business days before the date that an accommodation is required. E‑Verify DNR uses E‑Verify to confirm the eligibility of newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Technical Help If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system, call NEOGOV at View phone number on click.appcast.io, Monday‑Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will not assist with technical issues. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Colorado