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 NRTA’s 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 arm’s 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.

The NRTA is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing financial assurance mechanisms that reduce the state’s 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 Authority’s 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.

The Deputy Director of the Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) serves as a senior leader responsible for the design, oversight, and administration of the Authority’s 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 Louisiana’s 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 bachelor's 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 Authority’s responsibilities, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across financial assurance, interagency coordination, internal management, and public…