ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST STAFF DCLA

The State of Louisiana is hiring an Environmental Scientist Staff DCLA for the Water Quality Standards and Assessment Section in Baton Rouge, LA. This position requires three years of experience in water quality management and involves expert research, data documentation, and compliance with environmental regulations. Applicants must be current permanent employees of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The role is not remote and includes a special entrance rate of $31.38 per hour.
25-30 DCLA BR KS
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST STAFF DCLA
OEA / WATER PLANNING / WQSAS

This position is within the Water Quality Standards and Assessment Section of the Water Planning Division within the Office of Environmental Assessment. This position is domiciled at Headquarters in East Baton Rouge.

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT, PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS: Three years of professional level scientific/technical experience directly involved in the water quality management program, such as through water quality standards, assessment, and data analysis and reporting.

The Environmental Scientist Staff is a technical expert for water quality standards and assessment. The incumbent of this Environmental Scientist Staff performs expert water research; develops and maintains documentation and data for water quality standards and assessment; may perform other scientific/technical tasks for the division. The Environmental Scientist Staff work is performed in accordance with Department rules, regulations, policies, quality management plans, and applicable state and federal laws, internal policy based on historical precedents, draft regulations, and best professional judgment Supervision is received from the Manager. The incumbent must have experience in water quality management programs, knowledge of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Louisiana Environmental Quality Act (LEQA) and supporting regulations, and assessment The incumbent must have experience working with multi-divisional and/or multi-agency projects and programs, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong organizational skills to assist in planning and implementing division's environmental data programs.

There is a special entrance rate (SER) for this position, as follows: Environmental Scientist Staff DCL A: $31.38 per hour or $2,510.20 biweekly

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.

Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application if possible (PDF format preferred). The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Applications will be rejected if the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications, submits an incomplete application or fails to apply by the closing date of the announcement.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application listing complete work experience and education. You must submit an equivalency evaluation statement for any international degree(s) by the closing of this announcement.

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for individuals with disabilities.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Kierra Smith
Human Resources
LA Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 4303
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Kierra.Smith2@la.gov
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor’s degree in an environmental, biological, atmospheric, chemical, health, nuclear or physical science field, an engineering field, a geography/geosciences field, a natural resources field, or in a statistics or quantitative methods field plus three years of experience in an environmental program, nuclear energy or radiation protection program; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); an environmental, analytical, or research laboratory, LIMS (Lab Integrated Management Systems), or laboratory auditing; OR

A master’s degree in an environmental, biological, atmospheric, chemical, health, nuclear or physical science field, an engineering field, a geography/geosciences field, a natural resources field, or in a statistics or quantitative methods field plus two years of experience in an environmental program, nuclear energy or radiation protection program; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); an environmental, analytical, or research laboratory, LIMS (Lab Integrated Management Systems), or laboratory auditing; OR

A doctorate in an environmental, biological, atmospheric, chemical, health, nuclear or physical science field, an engineering field, a geography/geosciences field, a natural resources field, or in a statistics or quantitative methods field plus one year of experience in an environmental program, nuclear energy or radiation protection program; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); an environmental, analytical, or research laboratory, LIMS (Lab Integrated Management Systems), or laboratory auditing.

Function of Work:

To perform as a staff advisor and expert to agency staff and the public in the regulation of environmental impacts and the possible consequences of those impacts from industrial, commercial, governmental, or construction activities. To perform as a high level advisor for the state on a specific area of environmental policy or other areas of technical or regulatory expertise and in the process serves as a mentor to lower level Environmental Scientists. To coordinate/monitor the technical aspects of various teams in the Regional Office(s).

This job is designated a Dual Career Ladder job as defined in CS Rule 1.14.1.1 requiring performance of higher level more complex duties and possession of advanced specialized skills. A Civil Service Commission approved agency policy is required prior to implementation.

Level of Work:

Expert.

Supervision Received:

Broad direction from an Environmental Scientist Supervisor, Environmental Scientist Manager or Environmental Division Administrator.

Supervision Exercised:

May exercise functional/project supervision over Environmental Scientists of a lower level.

Location of Work:

Department of Environmental Quality.

Job Distinctions:

Differs from Environmental Scientist Senior by absence of responsibility for serving as the Departments state expert.
Manages contractual agreements.

Represents the department at meeting with citizen groups, news media, educational forums, and the regulated community regarding complex environmental issues.

Initiates, negotiates, and manages settlement agreements for environmental violations and problems.

Provides technical testimony and serves as an expert witness at hearings and enforcement proceedings.

Makes technical decisions related to the granting of permits, variances, exemptions and enforcement action.

Directs the technical operations of delegated federal programs.

Formulates and establishes technical standards and necessary operating procedures and compulsory scientific testing methods.

Directs activities related to the researching, drafting, and promulgation of rules, regulations, and guidelines.

Directs the implementation of quality control and quality assurance procedures necessary to ensure that scientifically sound and reproducible dates are provided.

Performs related work as assigned.