Deputy Director (Natural Resource Trust Authority)

Background

The Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) was created by Act 727 of 2024 as a financial arm within the State Mineral and Energy Board (SMEB). The NRTAs mission is to develop and manage financial instruments that secure obligations related to oil-field site restoration particularly the plugging and abandonment of orphaned wells. The Authority assumed responsibility for the administration of financial security mechanisms previously managed by the Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association.

As the fiduciary body responsible for holding and managing state resources tied to plugging and abandonment obligations the NRTA must operate independently and at arms length from any agency or individual. Louisiana statutes place the Authority under the oversight of the SMEB and require coordination with the State Bond Commission and State Treasury. Public finance laws mandate treasury deposits expenditures only through legislative appropriation and full collateralization of balances. Ethical and fiduciary rules further require impartiality segregation of duties and transparent governance. These safeguards protect public funds uphold legal compliance and ensure the NRTA acts only with explicit authorization from the SMEB.

Scope and Purpose

The NRTA is responsible for designing implementing and managing financial assurance mechanisms that reduce the states fiscal exposure and provide long-term environmental protection. These mechanisms include pooled financial assurance programs site-specific trust accounts alternatives to traditional surety instruments for oil and gas operators and decommissioning funds for renewable energy facilities. As Louisiana expands its portfolio of energy development the Authoritys work ensures that long-term liabilities associated with resource extraction restoration and environmental remediation are financially secured and responsibly managed.

Within this framework the Deputy Director plays a critical role in ensuring programs are fiscally sound legally compliant and operationally efficient. The position supports the Executive Director in strategic planning financial modeling fund administration policy execution and coordination with oversight entities such as the Legislature State Treasury and SMEB.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director of the Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) serves as a senior leader responsible for the design oversight and administration of the Authoritys financial assurance programs. The position provides high-level leadership across strategic planning regulatory compliance internal operations and interagency coordination to ensure the NRTA fulfills its statutory mission of safeguarding Louisianas natural resources and minimizing state fiscal risk.

The Deputy Director oversees complex financial programs involving substantial public funds contingent liabilities and long-term environmental obligations. The role requires strong financial literacy regulatory expertise and the ability to manage risk-bearing instruments such as pooled assurance funds operator risk grading systems and long-term liability planning models. The Deputy Director also leads internal policy development supervises cross-functional teams and fosters a culture of accountability and performance. The individual may act on behalf of the Executive Director and assume executive responsibilities as needed contributing to the stability effectiveness and credibility of the Authority.

• A bachelors degree in finance public administration engineering law environmental science or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant discipline such as energy regulation environmental policy fund administration or financial compliance.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional programs preferably in a public or quasi-public sector environment.

The position supports the Executive Director in the full scope of the Authoritys responsibilities providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across financial assurance interagency coordination internal management and public accountability functions. Serve as the principal advisor to the Executive Director on all operational policy legal and programmatic matters helping to shape strategic priorities and ensure alignment with the Authoritys statutory mission and legislative intent.

• Lead the administration of financial assurance programs including fee collection risk-based schedules operator grading and enforcement of structured financial security requirements.
• Oversee actuarial reviews cost projections and financial risk analyses to guide program design and ensure long-term solvency of state-managed funds.
• Manage internal financial operations including budgeting fund transfers reimbursements and ensuring compliance with state fiscal controls and auditing standards.
• Direct fiscal transparency and reporting efforts including legislative reporting publication of financial data and stakeholder engagement on fiscal accountability.
• Coordinate interagency risk mitigation and legal readiness including responses to operator insolvencies or events that may increase state-held liabilities.
• Develop and implement rules policies and procedures governing financial security determinations and operator compliance across oil and gas carbon sequestration and renewable energy sectors while supervising technical financial and legal staff.

Position-Specific Details
Appointment Type: Unclassified

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

Compensation:$110000 - $150000 annually

The final salary will be determined based on the selected candidates qualifications and experience.

How to Apply
To apply for this vacancy click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Email:
Human Resources Division
Department of Conservation and Energy
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge LA 70804-9396

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