PETROLEUM SCIENTIST 1, 2, OR 3

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Enforcement – Orders Division in Louisiana seeks a Petroleum Scientist to monitor compliance with oil and gas regulations, review inspections, and issue Compliance Orders. This role focuses on ensuring timely corrective actions at production facilities and pits, with enforcement actions as needed.

Responsibilities include coordinating with Legal and other divisions, handling information requests, and supporting field inspections from Baton Rouge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geoscience or engineering.

Responsibilities

• Monitor compliance with oil and gas regulations and review inspections.
• Prepare Compliance Orders and recommend penalties when deficiencies are found.
• Serve as main contact for orders and coordinate with Legal and other sections.
• Participate in field inspections and may accompany CES on inspections via helicopter, seaplane, boat, and/or vehicle.

Education

Bachelor's degree in geoscience or engineering

Job description

Office of Enforcement – Orders Division

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 Petroleum Scientist reviews Lease Facility Inspections, Drilling and Workover inspections, Production Pit Inspections, Reserve Pit Inspections, and Narrative Reports submitted by Office of Enforcement Conservation Enforcement Specialists to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Enforcement and, when appropriate, writes Compliance Orders and where applicable recommends Civil Penalties or further regulatory actions regarding deficiencies for oil and gas production facilities and oilfield pits. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring violations are corrected in a timely manner.

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:

This position is located in the Baton Rouge Office with a core function of monitoring compliance with rules and regulations of oil and gas operators within the State of Louisiana.

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

• Responsible for handling complaints from landowners or concerned citizens regarding oil and gas operations in the vicinity of their property. This includes contacting the appropriate District Manager for the dispatch of a CES to investigate and inspect the area in question. Further, if any violations are noted, it is the incumbent’s duty to initiate corrective action and keep the complainant informed of all actions taken by this Office.
• Reviews information requests generated by other sections—such as Production Audit, Well Files, NRTA, and Permitting—and, when appropriate, prepares and issues Compliance Orders requiring the regulated party to provide the requested information or make required payments and, where applicable, recommends Civil Penalties or further regulatory actions regarding deficiencies for these departments. Incumbent will be the main point of contact for any and all orders they issue.
• Reviews unit survey plats submitted for units created by field orders issued by the Executive Director of Enforcement and either approves of rejects same. This includes the review of the testimony of petroleum engineering and/or geological expert and their associated exhibits from unitization hearing transcripts to ensure that the surveyed exterior boundary is consistent with the presented engineering and/or geological evidence that establishes the limit of the oil and gas reservoir.
• Gathers information and conducts inspections related to all Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings resulting from their 10-day letters. The incumbent tracks the status of each hearing, conducts necessary follow‑up, and serves as the primary point of contact between Legal and other DCE sections. The incumbent coordinates all necessary actions to ensure timely resolution and closure of each hearing.
• May accompany CES on field inspections to ensure compliance with rules and regulations of the Office of Enforcement via helicopter, seaplane, boat, and/or vehicle, as applicable. Keep abreast of changes in regulations and technology by attending conferences and seminars concerning the oil and gas industry.

Position‑Specific Information:

Appointment Type: Probational

Career Progression: This position may be filled from this recruitment as a Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.

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.