Conservation Enforcement Specialist 1, 2 or 3

The State of Louisiana is hiring a Conservation Enforcement Specialist (1, 2, or 3) for the Pipeline Division. This role involves conducting advanced inspections of intrastate natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing safety expertise to pipeline operators. The position is remote, with inspections covering several parishes in Louisiana. Inspector qualification training is required, along with data preparation and reporting duties.
Office of Conservation – Pipeline Division

The Pipeline Division regulates the use, end-use, conservation, and transportation facilities for movement of intrastate natural gas; regulates carbon dioxide pipelines and compressed natural gas fueling facilities; and they serve as clearing house to provide information to users of natural gas regarding the availability of supplies of natural gas. The Division is also responsible for a comprehensive pipeline safety inspection and enforcement program for both intrastate natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines, and damage prevention enforcement on pipeline right of ways.

LOCATION AND POSITION INFORMATION:

This Conservation Enforcement Specialist 1, 2, or 3 is located in the Pipeline Division within the Office of Conservation (OC). The incumbent of the position will work out of his/her home and inspection areas include the parishes of East Feliciana, West Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, and West Baton Rouge, Saint Landry, Point Coupee, Feliciana, Saint Helena, Livingston, Tangipahoa, Washington and Saint Tammany.

Incumbents of these positions perform highly advanced technical inspections of jurisdiction intrastate pipeline facilities. There are three categories of intrastate pipelines facilities which are regulated and inspected by all: 1) gas distribution pipelines, 2) gas transmission and, 3) hazardous liquid transmission pipelines. These incumbents may inspect from 1 to 3 of the categories of intrastate pipelines facilities in their area.
• Perform on-site inspections of complex jurisdictional gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems and related facilities intrastate pipelines facilities such as: 1) review/evaluate procedures for operations & maintenance manuals, emergency plans, and other operational procedures; 2) review/evaluate record keeping procedures and actual records of below/above ground facilities for compliance with federal and state regulations. Such inspections are performed for transmission/gathering pipelines, bi-directional pipelines, pipelines transporting multiple products, and offshore pipelines and related facilities.
• Provide gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline owners/operations safety expertise/assistance, which may include audits of operations and maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, construction procedures, drug and alcohol program procedures to determine accuracy and completeness as required by the most current regulations. This is usually initiated by the pipeline companies.
• Required to maintain inspector qualification through attendance of OPS training provided by the PHMSA Office of Training and Qualifications, located in Oklahoma City, OK. Completion of core courses for gas and hazardous liquid pipelines safety are mandatory as are completion of specialty courses for the respective pipeline type.
• Provide data and assist in the preparation of reports requested by the department, office, or other agencies; performs non-routine and other job duties, temporary or permanent, as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following skills and experience are preferred but not required:
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas.
• Learning Actively: The ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance and achieve organizational goals.
• Using Data: The ability to use relevant and valid data to inform a recommendation for action.

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Conservation Enforcement Specialist 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

Conservation Enforcement Specialist 1

Conservation Enforcement Specialist 2

Conservation Enforcement Specialist 3

Pay Level

TS-306

TS-307

TS-309

Hourly Range

$18.76-$26.93

$20.07 - $28.82

$22.98 - $33.00

Monthly Range

$3,252 - $4,668

$3,479 - $4,996

$3,983 - $5,720

Annual Range

$39,021 - $56,014

$41,746 - $59,946

$47,798 - $68,640
• Note regarding the advertised pay range: The Conservation Enforcement Specialist job series has an established special entrance rate (SER) that is set above the minimum of the pay level and the advertised minimum. 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.

Employees are eligible for flexible work schedules upon hire.

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:

Farren Doumit

Department of Natural Resources

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Email: farren.doumit@la.gov

The Department of 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 http://www.laworks.net/Downloads/LRS/EmploymentResourceGuide_2018.pdf.

The Department of Natural Resources is a participant in the E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of experience in petroleum exploration, petroleum production, petroleum gas and/or anhydrous ammonia handling or distribution, natural resources regulation, natural resources enforcement, law enforcement, or investigatory work; OR

A bachelor’s degree in a biological science, physical science, natural science, geoscience, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, or nuclear science.

FUNCTION OF WORK:

To regulate exploration and production operations, injection wells, surface mining operations, hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines and related facilities by serving as an inspector, performing enforcement, emergency response, data collection and evaluation, and investigation tasks to insure compliance with State and Federal regulations.

LEVEL OF WORK:

Entry.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Close supervision from a Conservation Program Manager, Petroleum Scientist Supervisor, or unclassified Director. May also receive guidance from higher-level Conservation Enforcement Specialists. Other reporting relationships may be approved by SCS.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

LOCATION OF WORK:

Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, all Divisions and programs, statewide; Department of Public Safety.

JOB DISTINCTIONS:

Differs from Conservation Enforcement Specialist 2 by the absence of independent responsibility. Primary function at this level is as a training position preparing for higher levels which will include more complex duties and independent performance of duties.

Serves as training position preparing for higher level positions and more involved responsibility to:

Assist in on-site inspections of exploration and production operations, injection wells, surface mining operations, hazardous liquids pipelines and natural gas pipelines and related facilities to assess compliance with State and Federal regulations.

Assist in review of industry records to insure hazardous liquid pipeline and natural gas pipeline facilities are performing random drug and alcohol testing as required under the regulations.

Assist in collection and review of preliminary data required in on-site inspections.

Assist in the presentation of findings obtained during inspections/investigations of exploration and production operations, injection wells, surface mining operations or hazardous liquid pipeline systems and natural gas pipeline systems or related facilities.

Assist in field investigations in response to citizen complaints.

Participate in emergency response activities involving well blowouts or spills, explosions, environmental emergencies, pipeline leaks and related accidents.

Prepare written reports documenting inspection activities, investigations and/or citations for review by higher level officials.

Operate and maintains various specialized monitoring equipment.

Assist in presentation of technical seminars for industry representatives.

Attend classes and seminars which are required by the Federal government and are sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior or the U.S. Transportation Safety Institute in order to remain up-to-date on regulations and enforcement requirements.

Performs statewide inspections and compliance audits to implement the rules and regulations enforced by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission to protect public safety.

Assist with conducting safety inspections of all transportation equipment, school buses and mass transit vehicles powered by Liquified Petroleum Gas.

Assist with approving installations of Liquefied Petroleum Gas for places of public assembly.