Posting number: DCE-OPC-2026-228293-MFR
Department: DCE-Conservation and Energy
Division: Office of Permitting and Compliance
Job classification: PETROLEUM SCIENTIST 1
Posting type: Open
Categories: Engineering, Environmental Services, Natural Resources
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The Office of Permitting and Compliance (OPC) oversees all permitting and regulatory functions within the Department, ensuring clarity, consistency, and regulatory integrity. By streamlining processes, accelerating permitting timelines, and enhancing data-driven decision-making, the Office ensures compliance with environmental standards while supporting responsible economic development.
OPC centralizes all permitting and compliance functions, aligning engineering, geology, ecology, design, and compliance divisions into a single workflow. Its structure includes integrity and production audits, UIC and storage regulation, groundwater protection, coastal permits and mitigation, and reservoir and legacy site management.
This Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3 position is located within the Permitting Division of the Office of Permitting & Compliance and is domiciled in Baton Rouge, LA. This position reports to the Petroleum Scientist Manager 1. The incumbent performs environmental work for legacy site remediation programs that require regulating the environmental effects of oilfield site land use activities through research/site assessment for decision-making responsibilities for the same.
A bachelor’s degree in a geoscience field or engineering.
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties:
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
POSITION-SPECIFIC DETAILS:
Appointment Type: Probational
Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Petroleum Specialist 1, 2, or 3.
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience. This position is eligible for premium pay of up to $2.00 per hour for licensed employees. A Special Entrance Rate (SER) is offered to qualified applicants.
ENGINEERING DEGREE (NON-PETROLEUM)/GEOLOGY or GEOSCIENCE DEGREE
Title/Level
Pay Level
SER Hourly Range
$27.65 - $43.28
$30.55 - $49.55
$33.76 - $56.73
SER Monthly Range
$4,792.67 - $7,502
$5,295.33 - $8,589
$5,851.73 - $9,833
SER Annual Range
$57,512 - $90,022
$63,544 - $103,064
$70,220.80 - $117,988
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEGREE
SER Hourly Range
$28.85 - $43.28
$33.03 - $49.55
$37.82 - $56.73
SER Monthly Range
$5,000.67 - $7,502
$5,725.20 - $8,589
$6,555.47 - $9,833
SER Annual Range
$60,008 - $90,022
$68,702.40 - $103,064
$78,665.60 - $117,998
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
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.
Human Resources
Department of Conservation and Energy
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396
Email: DNR-Recruiting@la.gov
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