Coastal Resources Scientist Supervisor (Enforcement)

About this Job

Office of Enforcement – Ecology

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. OENF consolidates all inspectors and enforcement staff into one office to maximize efficiency, consistency, and accountability. District inspectors, pipeline safety, UIC, coastal field services, and mining enforcement now operate under a unified structure that emphasizes cross-training, career progression, and consistent enforcement decisions. The office issues compliance orders, oversees damage prevention, and coordinates with Revenue, DEQ, and Wildlife & Fisheries for joint enforcement. Leveraging data analytics, automation, and tools like drones and sensors, OENF implements a proactive, risk-based enforcement model that prioritizes public safety while ensuring fair treatment of good operators.

This position serves in a supervisory capacity and is responsible for the direct supervision of three to four Coastal Resources Scientist positions ranging from Coastal Resources Scientist I to Coastal Resources Scientist III. These staff members are geographically distributed throughout Louisiana's coastal zone and are responsible for conducting environmental assessments, permit compliance investigations, enforcement activities, and ecological field operations.

Minimum Qualifications

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 plus three years of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology; OR

A master's degree in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field plus two years of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology; OR

A Ph.D. in biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, engineering or a related field plus one year of experience in coastal resource management, wetland resource management, environmental science, natural resource management, or biology.

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

LOCATION AND POSITION INFORMATION:

This position is located in the Lafayette Field Office within the Office of Enforcement (OENF), Ecology Section. Position location may change based on the hire. The position serves in a supervisory capacity and is responsible for the direct supervision of three to four Coastal Resources Scientist positions ranging from Coastal Resources Scientist I to Coastal Resources Scientist III. These staff members are geographically distributed throughout Louisiana's coastal zone and are responsible for conducting environmental assessments, permit compliance investigations, enforcement activities, and ecological field operations. This position is within the Ecology Section of the Office of Enforcement and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing field-based ecological activities associated with Coastal Use Permits.

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

• Hires, trains and supervises the work of subordinate Coastal Resources Scientists engaged in field operations of an environmental regulatory agency; operations include biological assessments, permit compliance investigations, enforcement reporting, data collection and regional monitoring.
• Supervises the development of standard operating procedures to ensure accurate and consistent work outcomes; establishes minimum performance standards for staff evaluation.
• Maintains quality assurance of data, records and other generated reports for completeness and proper documentation; organizes and assigns workloads which include planning, scheduling and priority setting.
• Conducts biological assessments requested by permit analysts for coastal use applications. This requires use of field equipment such as trucks, boats, and UAVs for monitoring of coastal activities.
• Compiles monthly activity reports for all CRS field staff; represents agency in meetings regarding permit and enforcement actions, public hearings, seminars and workshops; provides yearly staff evaluation and performance ratings as required.
• Participates in oil spill and hazard responses coast wide; maintains up to date training for participation in these responses; responsible for equipment maintenance and repairs; oversees purchase requisitions for subordinate staff.
• Provides consultation to the Section Manager and Division Administrator when requested. Performs other duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Promotional only open to current Louisiana Department of Conservation & Energy employee

Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group.

Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.

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

This position will be filled by way of an internal promotion with a current Louisiana Department of Conservation & Energy employee.

How To Apply:

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

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.

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  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