Job Description

Posting number: DCE-OENF-2026-226646-ANH

Department: DCE-Conservation and Energy

Division: Office of Enforcement

Job classification: COASTAL RESOURCES SCIENTIST STAFF--DCL A

Posting type: Open

Categories: Natural Resources

Summary

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Office of Enforcement – Inspections-Ecology

The Office of Enforcement (OENF) is dedicated to ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting public and environmental interests through rigorous inspection programs, timely enforcement actions and transparent oversight. The Office emphasizes proactive monitoring, consistent regulatory enforcement and transparent reporting. Its operations are designed to uphold compliance standards, swiftly address violations and maintain trust and accountability within Louisiana’s regulated community.

The Ecology Section of the Inspections Division, Office of Enforcement, regularly monitors their respective areas for unauthorized activities and non-compliance with permit conditions. They monitor and document land cover and land usage changes. They assist permit analysts by providing reports, data, and documentation of the existing habitats of proposed project sites, probable impacts of permit applications on those existing habitats, and recommend alternative and/or mitigative measures.

Examples of duties

A bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field plus three years of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology; OR

A master's degree in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field plus two years of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology; OR

A Ph.D. in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field plus one year of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology.

Supplemental Qualifications:

This position requires one year of experience as a Coastal Resources Scientist conducting biological assessments, permit compliance investigations, and ecological field investigations within the Louisiana Coastal Zone.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Supplemental information

Job Duties:

This position is based in Baton Rouge, and performs work across the state of Louisiana.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for serving as a staff advisor and provides specialized and technical scientific assistance and regulatory expertise to the Ecology Division of the Office of Permitting and Compliance.
• Employee is required to have extensive knowledge of wetland delineation processes, wetland plant taxonomy, advanced level of fieldwork, and the ability to communicate findings to management, applicants, and permit reviewers in a professional manner.
• Conducts biological assessments requested by permit analysts for Coastal Use Permit applications. This requires the use of field equipment such as vehicle, boat, ATV, aircraft, and UAV as appropriate.
• Assists the DCL-B with complex projects and takes lead on certain projects that may be more complicated for Coastal Resources Scientists 1-3.
• Acts as a mentor to field staff by providing guidance, training, and assistance with field investigations, project development, and documentation.
• Provides guidance and direction to fellow field staff without formal supervisory authority or responsibility for personnel matters or supervisory documentation.
• Compiles monthly activity reports from all field scientists and distributes the consolidated report to field staff and upper management to track field activities throughout the coastal zone; represents the agency in meetings regarding permit and enforcement actions, public hearings, seminars, and workshops.
• Ensures field staff utilizing UAVs remain current with applicable FAA and Department requirements, including UAV pilot certification, drone registration, and required flight checklists.
• Participates in oil spill and emergency disaster response efforts coast-wide; maintains up-to-date training required for participation in these responses; responsible for the maintenance and repair of all assigned state-provided equipment, including trucks, boats, and drones; Performs other duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational

Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group.

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

This vacancy is being announced as a classified position and is open to all qualified applicants. This position requires the selected applicant to serve a minimum probationary period of twelve (12) months. A current, permanent status state employee may be required to accept a probational appointment in lieu of promotion. Additional Vacancies may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of the closing date.

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Human Resources

Department of Conservation and Energy

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Email: DNR-Recruiting@la.gov