From 1977-1980, he was a research assistant and an assistant professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela. He has also been a professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela from 1982 until the present.

 

From 1983-1985, Álvarez was an academic advisor at the Institute of High Studies on National Defense before becoming executive secretary of the working group on political reforms of the Presidential Commission for the Reform of the State from 1985-1986.

 

From 1986-1987, he was chief of the Research and Development Division at the Venezuelan Institute of Foreign Trade. From 1988-1991, he was executive secretary and Venezuelan representative in the Forum on Debt and Development (FONDAD).

 

Álvarez moved to the Council of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, Universidad Central de Venezuela, becoming its representative from 1989-1993. From 1990-1992, he was again an academic advisor at the Institute of High Studies on National Defense, as well as a professor at the Superior School of the Venezuelan Air Force. Herrera also served as Director of Cooperation at Universidad Central de Venezuela from 1993-1994.

 

From 1999-2000, he was Director-General of Hydrocarbons for the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and was promoted to vice minister (2000-2003). Also during this time, he served as Venezuelan Representative to the Energy Council of the United States, a position that continues to this day.

From 2000-2001, Álvarez washead of the Venezuelan Delegation to the Conferences of Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and from 2000-2002, he was Venezuelan Coordinator for the Cooperation Agreement between the Venezuelan Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Department of Energy of the United States. He also served as Venezuelan Coordinator of the Venezuelan, French Energy Task Force (Venezuelan Ministry of Energy and Mines, and French Ministry of Industry) from 2000-2002.

Álvarez speaks Spanish, English and French.