Job Summary
Western Midstream is seeking a Texas Air Permitting Lead to join the Health,
Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) team in The Woodlands, TX. This
senior-level position serves as the technical lead for air permitting activities
across Western Midstream’s Texas oil and gas operations. The role is responsible
for developing and executing permitting strategies that support operational
reliability, regulatory compliance, and business growth while minimizing
permitting risk and schedule impacts.
The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for complex
permitting projects, serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, and
work closely with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and Legal teams
throughout project development and execution. This individual will also play a
key role in driving continuous improvement initiatives and supporting the
long-term development of the Southern Air Quality program.
Qualifications
* Minimum of 10 years of experience leading increasingly complex air quality
permitting and regulatory compliance initiatives, preferably within the oil
and gas industry.
* Extensive experience with Texas air permitting programs, including Permits by
Rule (PBRs), Standard Permits, Case-by-Case NSR Permits, and Title V
Operating Permits.
* Strong knowledge of state and federal air regulations applicable to oil and
gas operations.
* Demonstrated experience developing permitting strategies for complex capital
projects, facility expansions, and operational modifications.
* Experience leading permitting efforts for compression, processing, treating,
storage, gathering, and associated oil and gas infrastructure.
* Strong understanding of emissions calculations, applicability analyses,
emissions inventories, and air quality regulatory interpretations.
* Ability to evaluate regulatory risk and provide practical, business-focused
recommendations.
* Experience managing external consultants and reviewing technical work
products.
* Demonstrated leadership experience mentoring technical personnel and
influencing cross-functional teams.
* Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to
manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
* Experience interacting directly with regulatory agencies and negotiating
permitting approaches.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
* Experience with BR&E ProMax or other process simulation software.
Responsibilities
* Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for air permitting
activities across Western Midstream’s Texas oil and gas operations, providing
strategic guidance on permitting, regulatory applicability, and compliance
requirements.
* Develop and execute air permitting strategies to support facility expansions,
operational modifications, capital projects, acquisitions, and long-term
business growth objectives while minimizing permitting risk and schedule
impacts.
* Partner with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and Legal teams to identify
permitting requirements early in project planning and provide practical,
business-focused regulatory solutions.
* Lead preparation, review, and submittal of air permit applications, permit
amendments, Title V modifications, regulatory analyses, emissions
calculations, and other technical deliverables, ensuring consistency,
quality, and regulatory defensibility.
* Serve as the primary liaison with the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) and other regulatory agencies, managing permitting
negotiations and regulatory interpretations.
* Evaluate the applicability and implementation of state and federal air
quality regulations, monitor emerging regulatory developments, and provide
recommendations regarding potential impacts to company operations and future
projects.
* Provide technical oversight for Management of Change (MOC) and Process Safety
Start-up Reviews (PSSR).
* Drive continuous improvement of the company’s Texas air permitting program
through development of standards, procedures, permitting tools, data
management solutions, and best practices that improve efficiency,
consistency, and data quality.
* Manage consultant-supported permitting activities, including scope
development, technical review, budget oversight, and quality assurance of
work products.
Education
* A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline is required.
* Grade and salary will be commensurate with relevant education and experience.
License / Certifications
* A valid driver's license with no restrictions that would prohibit driving a
company vehicle is required.
Travel Requirements
* The percentage of travel required for this position is 10-20%.
Work Schedule
* This position follows a hybrid schedule working in-office Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and working remote Wednesday and Friday. Monday-Thursday are 9 hours
and Fridays are 4 hours.