Petroleum Scientist , or ; Enforcement

Office of Enforcement – Inspections 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.

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.

This position is responsible for coordinating and directing the technical and administrative functions relating to the program’s field surveillance, enforcement, and compliance activities of injection wells within a public safety program that regulates the environmental impacts of statewide energy resource exploration, development and storage, and the subsurface mining of minerals pursuant to the Louisiana UIC Program and certain additional activities regulated under the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Parts XIX and XVII.

A bachelor’s degree in a geoscience field or engineering.

• In conjunction with the C&E OENF-Inspections, the incumbent will assist with the closure of abandoned commercial exploration and production waste management facilities. This includes providing administrative and technical assistance in preparing and evaluating environmental site assessment and closure plans, and preparing Requests for Proposals for contractor bidding. Incumbent establishes standard operating procedures for field staff and other programs, which are used by staff and by the regulated community to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
• Assists clerical staff in scheduling, preparing, distributing, and collecting statutory and regulatory fees and civil penalties of the Injection and Mining Section; scheduling the preparation, mail‑out, collection, and audit of the divisional self‑monitoring reports and Organization Reports.
• Reviews various technical and field reports/inspections and makes recommendations to the Petroleum Scientist Manager or higher divisional personnel on matters of regulatory noncompliance. Manages the timely submission by various operators of required technical and operational self‑monitoring reports. Performs audits of operator self‑monitoring reports for technical accuracy, completeness, and consistency of information to evaluate operator conformance/compliance to statutes, regulations, or permit conditions.
• Performs timely follow‑up audits on inaccurate, incomplete, and delinquent operator filings (reports, fees, etc.) to ensure timely compliance by operators. Makes recommendations to Petroleum Scientist Manager or higher divisional personnel on matters of regulatory noncompliance and determines the appropriate enforcement action to levy against delinquent or noncompliant operators.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Appointment Type:
Probational

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

Work Schedule:

40 hrs/week in Baton Rouge Office

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

This position offers premium pay.

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