Compliance Officer #1510204

Overview

Our client is a privately held energy company focused on oil extraction and production with an expanding operational footprint across Colorado. As the organisation scales its drilling programme and enters new regulatory jurisdictions, the need for a dedicated compliance function has become a strategic priority. The company is seeking a Compliance Officer to build and lead a comprehensive regulatory compliance programme that protects the business, its employees, and the communities in which it operates.

This role calls for a proactive and resourceful professional who understands the intersection of upstream oil and gas operations, environmental stewardship, and regulatory obligation. The Compliance Officer will report to senior executive leadership and will be responsible for establishing the policies, training frameworks, and monitoring systems necessary to ensure adherence to the complex web of federal, state, and local requirements governing oil shale development in Colorado. The ideal candidate brings both the technical regulatory knowledge and the interpersonal credibility to embed a culture of compliance across every level of the organisation.

Core Duties

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a company-wide compliance programme encompassing environmental, health, safety, operational, and corporate governance requirements applicable to upstream oil shale operations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies including the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Monitor and interpret evolving federal, state, and local legislation, rulemaking, and enforcement trends to assess their impact on current and planned operations, advising executive leadership accordingly.
• Develop and maintain an internal audit and monitoring schedule to verify that field operations, drilling programmes, waste management practices, and emissions reporting meet or exceed regulatory standards.
• Lead the preparation, submission, and tracking of all required permits, licences, regulatory filings, and periodic compliance reports across the organisation's operated properties.
• Create and deliver compliance training programmes for employees, contractors, and field personnel covering topics such as spill prevention, emissions reporting, well integrity, workplace safety, and anti-corruption obligations.
• Investigate compliance incidents, near-misses, and regulatory inquiries, documenting findings, coordinating corrective actions, and reporting outcomes to senior leadership and the board as appropriate.
• Establish and manage a confidential reporting mechanism that enables employees and contractors to raise compliance concerns without fear of retaliation, ensuring all reports are investigated promptly and thoroughly.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, land, and finance teams to ensure that compliance considerations are integrated into field development planning, capital budgeting, and contractual arrangements from the outset.
• Maintain organised and audit-ready records of all permits, inspection reports, correspondence with regulators, incident logs, and training documentation.
• Track and report on key compliance metrics and risk indicators, presenting periodic dashboards and written summaries to the executive team and board of directors.
• Represent the organisation in industry working groups, trade associations, and public forums addressing regulatory policy and best practices relevant to oil shale development in Colorado.

Essential Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in regulatory compliance, environmental management, or a closely related function, including no fewer than 3 years focused on upstream oil and gas operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Law, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety, or a closely related discipline.
• Deep working knowledge of COGCC regulations, Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act requirements, OSHA standards, and other federal and state frameworks governing oil and gas exploration and production.
• Demonstrated experience designing or materially strengthening a compliance programme within an energy, natural resources, or heavy industrial organisation.
• Proven ability to manage multi-agency permitting processes and maintain productive working relationships with state and federal regulators.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills with the ability to assess risk, synthesise complex regulatory language, and translate obligations into actionable operational guidance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present compliance matters clearly to boards, executive teams, field supervisors, and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with compliance management software, document control systems, and standard reporting tools.
• Willingness to travel to field locations, regulatory offices, and industry events as needed (up to 30%).

Desired Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or Master's degree in Environmental Law, Environmental Management, or a related advanced discipline.
• Professional certification such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
• Direct experience with Colorado-specific regulatory processes including COGCC mission change rules, flowline regulations, and setback requirements.
• Familiarity with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting frameworks and the ability to align compliance data with investor and stakeholder sustainability disclosures.
• Experience managing compliance within privately held, private equity-backed, or joint-venture exploration and production companies.
• Knowledge of induced seismicity protocols, produced water management regulations, and air quality permitting specific to oil shale operations.
• An established professional network among Colorado regulatory agencies, industry trade bodies, and environmental advocacy organisations.

Annual Base Salary: $145,000 – $185,000 and a Performance-Based Bonus tied to compliance programme milestones and audit outcomes

Additional Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, life & disability insurance, paid time off and flexible work arrangements, relocation assistance (if applicable), and professional development and certification maintenance support.

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