Biologist , or ; LOSCO

About This Job

The Office of the Secretary serves as the department's executive management office. The Secretary is the chief officer of the Department of Conservation and Energy (DCE), 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.

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 located 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).

A bachelor’s degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources.

• 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.
• Provides 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 engages at general meetings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, seminars, training opportunities, and drills.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.). NJMS 100, 200, 700, 800 series and HAZWOPER training are required and will be provided.

• Appointment Type: Probational.
• Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Biologist 1, 2, or 3.
• Work Schedule: Work hours are flexible.
• Compensation: This salary offered will be determined by qualifications and experience.

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

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 this job title must be included in the application (i.e.,…