Coastal Resources Scientist 1, 2, or 3 (Permitting & Compliance)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Louisiana, Office of Permitting & Compliance – Compliance, is seeking Coastal Resources Scientist 1, 2, or 3 to enforce the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP) and to balance complex engineering, environmental, and economic considerations for coastal wetlands, marshes, and other vital resources in Louisiana.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in a related science or engineering field and offers Appointment Type: Probational with flexible work hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field.
• Ability to investigate possible violations of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP).
• Knowledge of coastal resources management laws, policies, and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Investigates unpermitted activities that may violate the LCRP.
• Advises violators on how to achieve compliance with the LCRP.
• Arbitrates and resolves conflicts among violators and agencies.
• Evaluates complex engineering, environmental, and economic issues and recommends enforcement actions.
• Assists in site inspections and reviews technical literature.

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field

Job description

Office of Permitting & Compliance – Compliance

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.

This Coastal Resources Scientist 1, 2, or 3 performs advanced work in utilizing regulatory and/or non-regulatory measures to create, restore, enhance, protect, and preserve the state's coastal wetlands, marshes, floodplains, and other natural resources vital to the state's economy and/or safety of its citizens. This position independently investigates possible violations of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP) which involves consideration and balancing of complex, and often technical, engineering, environmental and economic issues.

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.

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:

• Investigates unpermitted activities that are possible violations of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP).
• Determines and advises violators on methods to get their activities into compliance with the LCRP.
• Arbitrates and resolves conflicts among violators and other state and federal agencies.
• Investigates possible violations of CUP terms or conditions for industrial, commercial, and private interests to determine the difference between the ways the work was done versus how it was permitted.
• Determines and advises permittees on methods to get their activities into compliance with their permits, arbitrating and resolving conflicts among permittees and other state and federal agencies.
• Evaluates and balances complex engineering, environmental, and economic issues, and makes recommendations to the Supervisor for the terms and conditions of final enforcement actions.
• Prepares and advertises public notices and issues After-the-Fact Amended Coastal Use Permits in accordance with rules and procedures for issuing CUPs.
• Assists in site inspections of industrial, commercial and private facilities or properties and proposed construction sites.
• Reviews and interprets technical literature and attends seminars and workshops to maintain familiarity with state-of-the-art mapping and aerial photography techniques, computer software, and coastal resource management laws, policies, and strategies.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION-SPECIFIC DETAILS:

Appointment Type: Probational

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Coastal Resources Scientist 1, 2, or 3.

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

Compensation: A Special Entrance Rate (SER) is offered to qualified applicants. The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

• Title/Level: Coastal Resources Scientist 1, Coastal Resources Scientist 2, Coastal Resources Scientist 3
• Pay Level: TS-308, TS-309, TS-311
• SER Hourly Range: $20.91 - $33.02, $22.38 - $35.33, $25.62 - $40.45
• SER Monthly Range: $3,624.40 - $5,724, $3,879.20 - $6,124, $4,440.80 - $7,011
• SER Annual Range: $43,492.80 - $68,682, $46,550.40 - $73,486, $53,289.60 - $84,136

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

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

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Human Resources

Department of Conservation & Energy

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Email: [e-mail]