Salary : $4,167.00 - $7,502.00 Monthly
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: DENR-2025-OC-212763-FRD
Department: DENR-Office of Conservation
Division: Injection and Mining
Opening Date: 09/11/2025
Closing Date: 9/25/2025 11:59 PM Central

About this Job
PETROLEUM SCIENTIST 1, 2, OR 3 (GEOLOGIST)

The Louisiana Underground Injection Control (UIC) program has been granted primary permitting and enforcement authority by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the provisions stipulated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act relating to underground injection control activities.
Office of Conservation - Injection & Mining

The Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3 is located in the Injection and Mining Division within the Office of Conservation (OC) in Baton Rouge, LA. The incumbent of this position performs highly responsible professional geological work of an administrative and technical nature pursuant to the Louisiana UIC Program and certain additional waste disposal activities permitted under Title 43, Part XIX and XVII of the Louisiana Administrative Code.
The primary objective of the incumbent's duties is to ensure that subsurface fluid emplacement regulated by the Injection and Mining Division (IMD) do not result in the introduction of contaminants into surface waters or subsurface geologic strata containing Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDW).

Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in a geoscience field or engineering.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
JOB DUTIES:

The incumbent will perform high level work as an advisor and state expert to agency staff and the public on matters relating to Class I, II, III, and V injection, storage and disposal well siting, permitting, and monitoring as well as related environmental and remediation matters in the state. The position may require performing other duties not specifically identified below, but are assigned as needed:

• Using their expertise and technical skills to review, evaluate and/or construct such geologic data for accuracy and compliance with the requirements of applicable rules.
• Functions as principal assistant to their supervisor in coordinating and directing technical unit activities and managerial functions as they relate to the total geological program of the Division.
• Provides geological and technical support to various Federal, State, Parish and local government agency projects and programs concerning issues related to surface and subsurface waste disposal, salt dome solution mining, subsurface hydrocarbon storage, environmental control, waste disposal facility management and operations, groundwater problems, etc.
• Exercises lead worker responsibility through the mentoring and review of work performed by lower level petroleum scientists doing technical geological analyses and evaluations and, on a project basis, sub-professional staff.
• Thoroughly inspects and monitors by-product operations, including hazardous waste injection wells, solution mining of salt, hydrocarbon storage in solution-mined salt caverns, enhanced oil recovery wells, oil and gas exploration and production waste injection wells, and commercial exploration and production waste disposal facilities.
• Disseminates information, orally and written, and advises the general public, industry representatives, consultants, Federal, State, Parish and local government officials on various geological matters and the State's position on regulations, policies, and/or procedures for specific projects.
• Provides guidance and direction on geological issues and serves in an advisory capacity during conferences and meetings with representatives of industry, the general public, Federal, State, Parish and local government agencies to resolve particular regulatory matters and conduct geologic and reservoir studies to investigate unresolved matters.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

POSITION-SPECIFIC DETAILS:

Appointment Type: Job Appointment

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Petroleum Scientist 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.
Eligibility Criteria

Premium Pay Rate

Eligible Hours

Petroleum Scientist 1 - Petroleum Scientist Administrator positions occupied by licensed professionals

Licensed LAPELS Engineer: $2.00 per hour

All Hours

Licensed LBOPG Geoscientist: $2.00 per hour
ENGINEERING DEGREE (NON-PETROLEUM)/GEOLOGY or GEOSCIENCE DEGREE

Title/Level

Petroleum Scientist 1

Petroleum Scientist 2

Petroleum Scientist 3

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.

* 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 Energy and Natural Resources

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Email:
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