Company & Culture
Ensign Natural Resources is a growth orientated independent E&P company scaling through strategic asset acquisitions and disciplined development. The company is entering its second iteration following the successful divestiture of its prior assets in late 2022. Ensign's operating philosophy centers on capital discipline, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company is led by a management team with over 20 years of experience in the acquisition, development, and exploration of unconventional resources.
At Ensign, attitudes and behaviors that support our culture matter. Employees are expected to foster a culture of personal responsibility, courage and good judgement while pursuing excellence in all efforts through passion, determination, and continuous improvement.
At Ensign, attitudes and behaviors that support our culture matter. Employees are expected to foster a culture of personal responsibility, courage and good judgement while pursuing excellence in all efforts through passion, determination, and continuous improvement.
Major Responsibilities
Supervision
• Lead, coach, and direct field personnel
• Set clear expectations for safety, production performance, work quality, and accountability
• Conduct regular field visits to inspect wells, facilities, equipment, and work practices
• Serve as the first-line leader for operational issue resolution and personnel coordination
• Provide feedback, training, and development support to field personnel
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance management, and corrective action processes as needed
Production Operations
• Oversee daily production operations, including oil, gas, and water handling, artificial lift systems, tank batteries, compressors, separators, flowlines, SWDs, and related field equipment
• Monitor production volumes, downtime, LOE trends, well performance, and facility performance
• Identify and address operational issues that impact production, safety, compliance, or cost
• Coordinate with all functional disciplines to support asset goals
• Ensure daily production data, field reports, and operational records are accurate
• Support well optimization efforts and recommend improvements to increase reliability, production efficiency, and operating margins
Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure all field activities are performed in accordance with company safety policies, environmental requirements, regulatory obligations, and industry best practices
• Lead by example in safety behavior, hazard recognition, stop-work authority, and incident prevention
• Conduct safety meetings, job safety analyses, field audits, and incident investigations as required
• Ensure contractors understand and follow company safety and operating standards
• Respond to incidents, spills, releases, near misses, and operational emergencies in a timely and professional manner
Cost Control and Efficiencies
• Drive operational efficiencies by identifying waste, reducing downtime, improving work processes, and optimizing field resources
• Monitor lease operating expenses and support cost-control initiatives without compromising safety or compliance
• Recommend practical improvements to increase uptime, reduce failures, and improve production economics
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance reviews related to field operating costs
• Ensure materials, equipment, and contractor resources are used effectively
Communication and Cross-Functional Coordination
• Communicate field conditions, priorities, risks, and performance updates to leadership
• Collaborate with all internal functions as needed
• Ensure clear communication between field and office teams
• Prepare and deliver updates on production, safety, downtime, projects, personnel, and cost performance.
• Represent the company professionally with landowners, vendors, contractors, regulators, and community members.
Education, Experience & Skills
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate degree, technical certification, or vocational training in petroleum technology, instrumentation, mechanics, operations, or a related field preferred
• 10+ years of relevant operator experience required
• Prior supervisory or foreman-level experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Experience operating in South Texas unconventional assets
• Strong knowledge of production operations, artificial lift systems, tank batteries, gas lift, rod pump, ESPs, separators, compressors, SWDs, flowlines, and field automation
• Demonstrated experience improving production performance, reducing downtime, controlling LOE, and implementing field process improvements
• Strong troubleshooting skills related to wells, facilities, equipment, and field processes
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced field environment
Required Competencies
• Safety Commitment: Strong dedication to safety policies, site-specific plans, and regulatory requirements, with the confidence to exercise stop-work authority when conditions are unsafe, unclear, or outside procedure.
• Leadership: Leads by example and holds self, employees, and contractors accountable. Build trust with teams through consistency and follow-through. Coaches and develops employees while setting high standards for performance and conduct. Makes sound decisions under pressure and provides clear direction during operational issues.
• Integrity and Accountability: Demonstrates honesty, transparency, and ethical judgment in all business dealings. Takes ownership of results, problems, and follow-up actions. Does the right thing even when no one is watching.
• Results Oriented: Driven to achieve production, cost, safety, and reliability goals. Prioritizes high-impact work and follows through to completion. Uses data and field observations to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities. Maintains urgency without sacrificing safety or quality.
• Continuous Improvement: Challenges inefficient practices and looks for better ways to operate. Identifies root causes rather than treating symptoms. Supports innovation, automation, standardization, and process improvement. Encourages input from field employees and contractors to improve execution.
• Communication: Communicates clearly, respectfully, and directly with field and office personnel. Provides timely updates on issues, risks, and progress. Listens effectively and seeks to understand before making decisions.
• Problem Solving: Uses practical judgment and sound technical knowledge to resolve issues. Balances short-term operational needs with long-term asset performance. Escalates issues appropriately when additional support or authority is needed.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Works effectively across departments to achieve asset goals. Encourages cooperation, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.
Physical Requirements
• Required to travel to field locations
• Able to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Able to lift/move up to 50 pounds on regular basis and occasionally lift/ move up to 100 pounds
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and color vision
• Able to deal with wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat/cold
• Work environment may include moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic chemicals, airborne particles and moderate to loud noise, requiring consistent use of appropriate PPE
We Offer
This position is provided with a company vehicle and a PPE/boot allowance. Ensign offers competitive salary, cash bonus, and equity plans as well as a comprehensive benefit package including medical/dental/vision plans, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with contribution matching up to 6% with 100% immediate vesting, paid vacation, sick time, and much more.