How to apply for Environmental Project Manager (Engineering)

About Tradewater

Tradewater is a mission-driven company focused on eliminating potent greenhouse gases while driving economic growth. They uniquely combine environmental impact with carbon credit markets, offering a chance to work on tangible climate solutions. Their remote-first culture and focus on orphaned well plugging make them a standout in the environmental sector.

About the role

As an Environmental Project Manager, you will lead the plugging of orphaned oil and gas wells from identification to emissions quantification and remediation. This role is impactful because it directly reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and generates carbon credits. You'll manage field operations, analyze data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance multiple projects.

A typical day

A typical day might start with checking in on field crews via phone or video, reviewing safety reports and regulatory filings. You'll spend time analyzing well data in Excel to update emissions estimates and project timelines, then join a cross-functional call to align on carbon credit documentation. Afternoons could involve planning next month's plugging schedule or troubleshooting a contractor issue remotely.

Who Tradewater is looking for

• Has 3-5 years of field-based oil and gas experience, specifically in production engineering, drilling, or well plugging.
• Holds a Bachelor's in chemical, mechanical, or petroleum engineering.
• Proven project management skills with ability to handle multiple concurrent workstreams in a remote setting.
• Proficient in data analysis and modeling in Excel; familiarity with carbon project development is a strong plus.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific well plugging or remediation projects you've managed, including contractor oversight and safety compliance.
• Quantify your impact: e.g., number of wells plugged, emissions reduced, or cost savings achieved.
• Showcase your data analysis skills with examples of Excel models you've built for operational or environmental data.
• Emphasize remote work experience and ability to coordinate field teams from a distance.
• Mention any knowledge of carbon credits, methane quantification, or regulatory frameworks like EPA or state oil and gas rules.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for environmental impact and reducing greenhouse gases, specifically through orphaned well plugging.', 'Relevant field experience in oil and gas operations, with concrete examples of project management success.', 'Your ability to analyze data and use it to support carbon credit verification or project development.', "Why Tradewater's mission resonates with you and how your skills align with their unique business model."]

Research before applying

• Understand Tradewater's carbon credit methodology and how they quantify emissions reductions from well plugging.
• Familiarize yourself with the orphaned well crisis in the US and relevant state/federal programs (e.g., IIJA funding).
• Review Tradewater's website for case studies or project examples to understand their approach.
• Look into the company's team structure and how project managers collaborate with other departments.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a challenging well plugging project you managed and how you ensured safety and compliance.
• How do you prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines in a remote environment?
• Explain your experience with data analysis for emissions quantification or carbon credit verification.
• How would you handle a contractor not meeting safety standards in the field?
• What interests you about carbon markets and how do you see this role contributing to climate goals?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to emphasize field-based experience; this is not a desk-only role.
• Not demonstrating knowledge of well plugging regulations and safety standards.
• Overlooking the data analysis requirement; provide specific examples of Excel or modeling work.