Conservation Enforcement Specialist or ; Enforcement

About This Job

Office of Enforcement – Inspections Division. The Department of Conservation & Energy (C&E) implements the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program and the Surface Mining Program. This remote field position is located in Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, & Vernon. The full‑time Conservation Enforcement Specialist (Level 1, 2, or 3) reports to the Injection & Mining Division in Baton Rouge, LA. The incumbent performs complex technical investigative and enforcement work statewide, including announced and unannounced inspections of energy resource exploration and development operations.

Responsibilities include maintaining enforcement files, conducting investigations, and ensuring compliance with EPA‑UIC and departmental policies. Functional supervision of lower‑level Specialists is performed. The role requires extensive travel, with at least 90 % travel expected.

• Communicating Effectively – Ability to relay information accurately and appropriately.
• Learning Actively – Ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance.
• Using Data – Ability to use relevant and valid data to inform recommendations.

• Three years of experience in petroleum exploration, production, gas and/or anhydrous ammonia handling or distribution, natural resources regulation, enforcement, law enforcement, or investigative work; or
• A bachelor’s degree in biological science, physical science, natural science, geoscience, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, or nuclear science.

• Thoroughly inspect and monitor by‑product operations, hazardous waste injection wells, solution mining, hydrocarbon storage in salt caverns, enhanced oil recovery wells, and commercial exploration and production waste disposal facilities.
• Perform well‑integrity tests and interpret results to ensure maintenance of injection well integrity.
• Review permits, equipment, and safety precautions for construction of energy resource exploration and development facilities.
• Maintain files on hazardous waste disposal wells, industrial plant sites, and commercial concerns; monitor operators’ reporting procedures for underground injection activity.
• Maintain files on salt dome storage cavity operations concerning oil and gas storage.
• Provide technical assistance to private industry in interpreting state and federal laws and departmental regulations.
• Supervise and train lower‑level Specialists in enforcement, well tests, investigations, and field reporting.
• Assist the Director and Assistant Director on special field investigations as required.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

• Ability to work independently.
• Self‑motivated scheduling of work.
• Previous experience with oil & gas wells (a plus).
• Physical requirements:
  
  walking on uneven terrain, outdoor work in summer and winter, ability to drive to oil‑field locations, lift at least 25 lb.
• Computer skills: basic knowledge of email, Microsoft Office, and online report entry.

• Appointment Type:
  Probationary.
• Career Progression Group participation.
• Compensation:
  Salary based on qualifications and experience.

No Civil Service test score is required. Apply by clicking the “Apply” link above and completing an electronic application. Applicants must include detailed experience and education in the application; resumes alone will not be accepted.

Human Resources
Department of Conservation and Energy
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge, LA 70804‑9396
Email: DNR‑Recruiting

Insurance Coverage information can be found at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Parental leave: up to six weeks paid. Holidays and leave:
State employees receive paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day; additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor). Sick and annual leave are accrued and can be saved for future use. Retirement:
Eligibility for various retirement systems based on appointment type and agency, including the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System, Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana, and Louisiana School Employees Retirement System.