Environmental Scientist
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is seeking a detail-oriented, technically skilled Environmental Scientist to support critical Clean Water Act initiatives. Dive into meaningful work evaluating water quality data, shaping environmental policy, and mentoring the next generation of scientistsall while helping preserve the health of Louisiana's aquatic ecosystems.
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; OR
- A master's degree or 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.
Job Specification:
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here .
Job Duties and Other Information:
Job Duties:
- The incumbent of this Environmental Scientist position will perform work in the water quality program, Water Planning and Assessment Division, Office of Environmental Assessment, supporting the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Louisiana Environmental Quality Act (LEQA) and supporting regulations.
- The incumbent will be responsible for water quality data evaluation and reporting.
- The ES will be expected to become familiar with LDEQ contract laboratory requirements; familiar with Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) associated with the data sets; familiar with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); be able to read and understand water quality data analysis reports (including quality control data sets); and be able to evaluate the data based on applicable methods (for example: EPA and Standard Methods).
- The incumbent should have strong verbal and written communication skills and should possess technical, analytical, and computer skills with an understanding of spreadsheets, word processing, database querying, coding, data reporting tools, and statistical applications.
Position-Specific Details:
- Appointment Type: This position may be filled as either a probational appointment, job appointment (a temporary appointment not to exceed four years), or promotion of permanent classified employee.
- If the position is filled as a job appointment, it could be converted to a probational appointment should funding become available.
- Domicile: East Baton Rouge
- Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Environmental Scientist 1, 2, or 3
- Compensation: This position offers a Special Entrance Rate (SER) listed below. This is the minimum compensation that may be offered. The job title and salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
- + Environmental Scientist 1: $20.91 per hour
- + Environmental Scientist 2: $22.38 per hour
- + Environmental Scientist 3: $25.62 per hour
Overview of the five major offices within the agency:
- Office of the Secretary
- Office of Management and Finance
- Office of Environmental Services
- Office of Environmental Compliance
- Office of Environmental Assessment
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer.
How To Apply:
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., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. 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. You must submit an equivalency evaluation statement for any international degree(s) by the closing of this announcement. For recruitment purposes, applicants who are within 90 days of graduating with a qualifying degree may be eligible for this position.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Kierra Smith LDEQ/ Office of Management and Finance 602 N. Fifth Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (225)291-3830
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
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 (
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System ( among others
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