Petroleum Scientist 1, 2 or 3

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Baton Rouge, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

DCE-2025-OENF FRD

Department

DCE-Department of Conservation and Energy

Division

Office of Enforcement

Opening Date

10/31/2025

Closing Date

11/14/2025 11:59 PM Central

Office of Enforcement – 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.

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 (category 2 & 3 may include offshore LA state waters).

LOCATION AND POSITION INFORMATION:

This Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3 position is located in the Special Projects group will be supervised by the Petroleum Scientist Supervisor. Incumbents perform highly advanced, technical inspections of jurisdictional intrastate pipelines facilities which include reviews of engineering principles as they are applied to pipeline constructions, maintenance, and abandonment. These incumbents may inspect from 1 to 3 of the categories of intrastate pipelines facilities in all areas of the state. This role is classified as a remote field position and requires extensive travel. Additionally, completion of PHMSA Training and Qualifications Courses and is subject to random drug checks.

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

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

This position performs highly specialized Integrity Management Program (IMP), Control Room Management (CRM), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Breakout Tank (BT), and Underground Natural Gas Storage (UNGS) regulations protocol inspections, and assists in enforcement procedures. Additional duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews engineering theory and practices included in operator plans, and the application of the same as well. Assist in the pre-inspection compilation of data and review of data presented during these inspections for these protocol inspections.
• Performs non-routine and other job duties, temporary or permanent, as assigned.
• Incumbents perform on-site inspections of complex jurisdictional gas and hazardous liquid pipeline systems and related facilities, intrastate pipeline 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/aboveground facilities for compliance with federal and state regulations.
• These incumbents provide gas pipeline or hazardous liquid pipeline owners/operators with safety expertise/assistance, which may include audits of operations and maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, construction procedures, and 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.
• Incumbents of these positions are required to maintain inspector qualification through attendance of OPS training provided by the PHMSA Office of Training and Qualifications, located in Oklahoma City, OK.
• Additionally, the LDENR/OC/Pipeline Division/Pipeline Safety Section participates with the Louisiana Gas Association, offering training to small gas operators. Incumbents may participate in these seminars or may attend in order to keep abreast of regulatory amendments and to prepare for future regulatory changes.
• Keep abreast of changes to assigned operators' physical facilities and operational status. Provide data and assist in the preparation of reports requested by the department, office, or other agencies; perform non-routine and other job duties, temporary or permanent, as assigned. Attends and successfully completes all pipeline safety training courses assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational

Career Progression: Vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Petroleum Scientist 1, 2, or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.

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

ENGINEERING DEGREE (NON-PETROLEUM)/GEOLOGY or GEOSCIENCE DEGREE

Title/Level

Petroleum Scientist 1

Petroleum Scientist 2

Petroleum Scientist 3

Pay Level

TS-312

TS-314

TS-316

SER Hourly Range

$ $43.28

$ $49.55

$ $56.73

SER Monthly Range

$4, $7,502

$5, $8,589

$5, $9,833

SER Annual Range

$57,512 - $90,022

$63,544 - $103,064

$70, $117,988

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEGREE

SER Hourly Range

$ $43.28

$ $49.55

$ $56.73

SER Monthly Range

$5, $7,502

$5, $8,589

$6, $9,833

SER Annual Range

$60,008 - $90,022

$68, $103,064

$78, $117,998

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

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

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 the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Human Resources

Department of Conservation and Energy

PO Box 94396

Baton Rouge, LA

Email: DNR-

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement– State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System ). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana ),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System ), among others