Job Description

Posting number: DCE-OENF-2026-226746-ANH

Department: DCE-Conservation and Energy

Division: Office of Enforcement

Job classification: PETROLEUM SCIENTIST 1

Posting type: Open

Categories: Natural Resources

Summary

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Office of Enforcement – Orders

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.

Provides guidance to industry professionals on Louisiana Damage Prevention Rules and Regulations, ensuring compliance with state and federal pipeline safety standards set by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Examples of duties

A bachelor’s degree in a geoscience field or engineering.

Qualifications

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

Supplemental information

This position is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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

• Assists the Petroleum Scientist Supervisor (PSS) in the day to day administration and implementation of the State Damage Prevention Program. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing One Call inspection reports and Underground Damage Prevention Utility complaints; evaluating inspection findings and supporting documentation; identifying potential violations; coordinating and tracking corrective actions; assisting with citations and enforcement correspondence; participating in meetings and show cause hearings when applicable; and maintaining accurate and timely program records
• Provides procedural and technical support to field inspectors conducting damage prevention inspections, investigations, and specialized enforcement audits.
• Reviews program data for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and regulatory relevance. Identifies data quality issues and assists with improvements supporting inspections, complaint tracking, enforcement actions, regulatory reporting, program performance, and management decision-making.
• Assists the agency in evaluating the economic and operational impact of all new or proposed regulations, legislation or policies affecting the pipeline industry and excavation/construction industry, as well as the State Damage Prevention Program.
• Reviews program information and damage prevention trends to identify recurring compliance issues, excavation damage concerns, and opportunities to improve inspection, enforcement, training, and public awareness efforts.
• Coordinates with the Director, legal counsel, industry groups, and committees on legislative or regulatory amendments; gathers requirements for database needs; and works with IT and divisional staff to implement updates to the Department’s Oracle and Compliance databases.
• The position may assist field inspectors by providing procedural guidance and support the execution of enforcement audits during routine inspections, helping ensure accurate data evaluation and alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Performs non-routine and other job duties, temporary or permanent, as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational

Career Progression: This position does participate in a Career Progression Group.

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

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

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant. Please refer to the “Job Specifications” tab located at the top of the LA Careers “Current Job Opportunities” page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications, and job concepts for each level.

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