Salary : $3,181.00 - $5,724.00 Monthly
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Classified
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: DENR-OS-2025-204295-MFR
Department: DENR-Office of the Secretary
Opening Date: 01/09/2025
Closing Date: 1/14/2025 11:59 PM Central
Supplemental InformationOffice of The Secretary - Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's OfficeThe Office of the Secretary serves as the department's executive management office. The Secretary is the chief officer of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), in charge of its policy, administration, and operations.
The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO) was created by state legislature in 1991. This division serves as the single point of contact for programs related to oil spills in Louisiana. LOSCO's mission is to minimize unauthorized discharges of oil, provide for an effective spill response, compensate the public for damages to the state's natural resources and services, and assist the public through education, service, and public outreach.
LOCATION AND POSITION INFORMATION:This Biologist 1, 2, or 3 position is located within the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO) of the Office of the Secretary and is domiciled in Baton Rouge, LA. The incumbent in this position is responsible for assisting in the implementation of oil spill-related Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDAs). Use of a state vehicle is required to perform duties. The individual in this position may participate in weekend response duty. Computer proficiency is required (to access work assignments, communicate with involved parties, and access electronic emails, media, reports, etc.) NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 series and HAZWOPER training are required and will be provided. Additional duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Designs and directs field plans to collect biological and habitat data for oil spills, damage assessments, and restoration projects using relevant scientific methods for the various environments within the state.
- Prepares comprehensive reports detailing project developments, biology and habitat issues, monitoring and management activities for NRDA projects.
- Provides guidance and direction in field investigations for NRDA projects associated with habitat, fish, and wildlife at both individual and population levels. This includes data intake, data management, data analysis, and data validation.
- Trains field personnel in proper techniques to collect, store, and transfer (under chain of custody), and ship scientific data.
- Conducts literature reviews and searches for articles related to NRDA topics and is involved in maintaining literature citation database and LOSCO's database.
- Assists in the development of wildlife and habitat response preparedness and protection plans.
- Assists with response activities according to the designated function(s) and associated duties during emergency oil spill response.
- Provide technical advice to the Oil Spill Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and Lead Responder during oil spill response.
- Serves on the State Natural Resource Response Team during NRDA. This includes activities such as natural resource protection activities, reconnaissance, and monitoring activities associated with protection efforts.
- Represents LOSCO and engage at general meetings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, seminars, training opportunities, and drills.
- Other duties as assigned.
As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Biologist 1, 2, or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant. Please refer to the "Job Specifications" tab located at the top of the LA Careers "Current Job Opportunities" page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications, and job concepts for each level.
Title/Level
Biologist 1Biologist 2Biologist 3Pay Level
TS-308
TS-309
TS-311
SER Hourly Range
$18.35 - $33.02
$19.63 - $35.33
$22.47 - $40.45
SER Monthly Range
$3,181 - $5,724
$3,403 - $6,124
$3,895 - $7,011
SER Annual Range
$38,168 - $68,682
$40,830 - $73,486
$46,738 - $84,136
**Note regarding the advertised pay range: The maximum amounts listed are the maximum salary amounts a person can make at each level over their career and not the amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS: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 applications 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.
A copy of your college transcript to verify the specialized degree requirement MUST be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. This may be done by way of an attachment to your online application and/or by fax/mail. Applicants possessing an international degree must submit an equivalency evaluation statement with their application. This may be done by way of an attachment to your online application.
Transcripts can either be mailed or faxed to the Louisiana Department of State Civil Service. Fax: 225-219-1041. Mailing Address: Department of State Civil Service, P.O. Box 94111, Capitol Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9111. *Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application.
Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
For further information about this vacancy contact:
DENR Human Resources
Department of Energy and Natural Resources
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396
Email: DNR-Recruiting@la.gov
The Department of Energy and Natural Resources is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at
The Department of Energy and Natural Resources is a participant in the E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes.
Minimum QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources.
Job ConceptsFUNCTION OF WORK:
To collect, compile, and analyze biological and environmental data.
LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
General from a Biologist Manager or Biologist Supervisor.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
May exercise functional over lower-level staff and/or direct over nonprofessional personnel.
LOCATION OF WORK:
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Biologist 2 by the degree of independence.
Examples of WorkEXAMPLES LISTED BELOW INCLUDE BRIEF SAMPLES OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL TASKS ARE INCLUDED.
Conducts field research and investigations to obtain biological samples and data using a variety of professionally accepted techniques.
Evaluates samples by laboratory analysis or organism identification and description; evaluates research data, organizes data, writes reports, plots findings, performs limited statistical analysis, and illustrates relationships of one set of data to another.
Prepares management plans as a consultant to private landowners, breeders, or other groups.
Investigates facilities and records of applicants for permits and special licenses; makes recommendations concerning issuance or denial of licenses.
Presents wildlife management programs and demonstrations to various groups.
Purchases, operates, and maintains data collection and analysis equipment.
Participates as a team member in complex research projects or special investigations of environmental impact assessment and monitoring.
Conducts small, independent, short-term research projects under the general supervision of supervisory personnel.
Maintains frequent public contact regarding general departmental procedures and cooperates with private, state, and federal personnel in routine problem resolution.
Provides technical support for the senior biologist on one or several projects such as design or procedural problems and recommendations for solutions.
Communicates department's biological programs to individuals and groups through outreach and promotion in educational settings.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others
