Biologist 1, 2, or 3 (LOSCO)

This position is located within the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO) of the Office of the Secretary, domiciled in Baton Rouge, LA. The incumbent coordinates with state and federal agencies to ensure prompt and thorough oil spill response, travels to remote sites for field investigations, site visits, and monitoring events, and uses a state vehicle to perform duties. Weekend response duty may be required. Computer proficiency is required, and NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 series and HAZWOPER training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Respond to oil spill incidents during nights and weekends while on an on-call rotation throughout the State of Louisiana.
• Coordinate oil spill cleanup and/or Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) activities with responsible parties, contractors, and other local, state, and federal government agencies to ensure effective oil spill response, clean-up, and/or NRDA and restoration actions.
• Operate within an Incident Command structure, fulfilling assigned roles and supporting unified oil spill response and/or NRDA efforts for the State of Louisiana as needed.
• Coordinate and collaborate with state agencies to support oil spill emergency response, recovery, and/or NRDA and restoration efforts.
• Provide support for the implementation of various LOSCO programs including Oil Spill Planning, Prevention, and Response, NRDA, and RRP.
• Provide guidance and direction in field investigations for oil spill response and/or NRDA activities associated with habitat, fish, and wildlife, including data intake, data management, data analysis, and data validation.
• Apply established protocols for collecting, storing, transferring (under chain of custody), and shipping scientific data, and provide support to other field staff as needed.
• Assist in the development of wildlife and habitat oil spill response preparedness and protection plans.
• Assist in the coordination of oil spill preparedness drills.
• Represent and participate in meetings, workshops, symposiums, conferences, and seminars to enhance the development of LOSCO’s NRDA, RRP, and oil spill response, planning, and prevention programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources.
• Computer proficiency (to access work assignments, communicate with involved parties, and access electronic emails, media, reports, etc.).
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 series and HAZWOPER training (will be provided).
• Ability to travel to remote sites and use a state vehicle to perform duties.
• Willingness to participate in weekend response duty.

Benefits

• Insurance Coverage: Competitive health, dental, vision, and life insurance options. More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/.
• Parental Leave: Up to six weeks of paid parental leave. More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx.
• Holidays and Leave: Paid holidays including 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, with accrual rates increasing based on years of service.
• Retirement: Eligibility to participate in various state retirement systems (e.g., Louisiana State Employees Retirement System, Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana, Louisiana School Employees Retirement System). More information can be found at www.lasersonline.org, www.trsl.org, and www.lsers.net.

This position may be filled as a Biologist 1, 2, or 3, with a probational appointment type. The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience. Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) supporting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.