Position: Coastal Resources Scientist 1 - 3

Agency: Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority(CPRA)

Division: Planning and Research/Feasibility Studies 

Office Location: 150 Terrace Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

**CPRA may fill up to 3 positions from this posting**

This position may be filled as either a Probational or a temporary Job Appointment. If filled as a Job Appointment, there is a possibility that this position may later be converted to a Probational Appointment should funding become available.

Responsibilities – Position 1 (Atchafalaya/Feasibility Studies):

• Assists in evaluating and assessing the feasibility and/or benefits of specific coastal restoration and hurricane flood protection projects
  1. Performs analyses and interpretation of technical environmental and scientific data
  2. Provides recommendations for the development of the standard analytic techniques
  3. Reviews restoration and protection project proposals and provides recommendations to higher level staff in the Planning and Research Division
• Supports the administration of CPRA’s Atchafalaya Program
  1. Provides technical assistance in the planning, engineering and design, and construction of hydrologic restoration and access projects in the Atchafalaya Basin
  2. Assists in the development of the State Atchafalaya Master Plan
• Assists in the implementation of CPRA’s non-structural programs
• Prepares technical scientific/environmental reports, briefing packages, speeches, or other presentations on matters related to assigned areas for use by higher level staff in the Planning and Research Division or by higher levels in the CPRA, the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities, or members of the Louisiana Legislature
• May represent CPRA at public hearings, workshops, conferences, and seminars and/or by serving as a member of a technical scientific/ environmental committee, subcommittee, or board

Responsibilities – Position 2 (CWPPRA/Programs):

• Supports the administration and coordination of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)
  1. Provides procedural expertise in the administration and coordination of the CWPPRA planning process in the development and implementation of CPRA projects
  2. Reviews Wetland Value Assessments (WVA’s) for accuracy and compliance with CWPPRA procedures
  3. Develops project proposals on an annual basis for the CWPPRA program in support of the Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast
  4. Represents CPRA on the CWPPRA Environmental Workgroup
  5. Assists in coordinating and leading public meetings for CWPPRA planning efforts, including scoping, alternative development, and discussing environmental consequence
• Supports the administration of CPRA’s grant matching programs; Conservation and Restoration Partnership Fund and Parish Matching Program
  1. Generates Requests For Proposals for grant matching programs, coordinates with prospective applicants, and reviews and evaluates program grant proposals
  2. Makes recommendations for grant awards and briefs higher level staff in the Planning and Research Division, CPRA Executives, Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities personnel, the CPRA Board, and members of the Louisiana Legislature
  3. Manages Cooperative Endeavor Agreements and Intergovernmental Agreements with partnering entities including negotiating scopes of work, budgets, and objectives
• Assists in evaluating and assessing the feasibility and/or benefits of specific coastal restoration and hurricane flood protection projects
  1. Performs analyses and interpretation of technical environmental and scientific data
  2. Provides recommendations for the development of the standard analytic techniques
  3. Reviews restoration and protection project proposals and provides recommendations to higher level staff in the Planning and Research Division
• Prepares technical scientific/environmental reports, briefing packages, speeches, or other presentations on matters related to assigned areas for use by higher level staff in the Planning and Research Division or by higher levels in the CPRA, the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities, or members of the Louisiana Legislature
• May represent CPRA at public hearings, workshops, conferences, and seminars and/or by serving as a member of a technical scientific/ environmental committee, subcommittee, or board

As part of Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Coastal Resources Scientist 1, Coastal Resources Scientist 2 or a Coastal Resources Scientist 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). 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 of salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level. The maximum salary for the Coastal Resources Scientist 3 is $84,136 annually. This position is eligible for premium pay. 

There are special bi-weekly entrance rates established for this position:

Coastal Resources Scientist 1 $1,672.80

Coastal Resources Scientist 2 $1,789.60

Coastal Resources Scientist 3 $2,036.80

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.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

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

If you have any questions, you may contact:
 Rachel Dunbar, HR Supervisor

P.O. Box 44027

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

CPRA.HumanResources@la.gov

EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.

Assists in making verbal presentations to higher level Coastal Resource Scientists and/or preparing written technical reports documenting field investigations, permit reviews, consistency reviews, enforcement reviews, or compliance reviews.

Assists in performing scientific searches, compiling and cataloging data, collecting field samples, analyzing data, and preparing reports and maps. 

Assists with on-site scientific/technical ecosystem information gathering and analysis of data for the preparation of various position papers to be used in determining the best coastal restoration or hurricane protection projects for implementation.

Provides general information through written correspondence, arranging and preparing information for public meetings, hearings, workshops, symposiums, and etc., or by assisting in public awareness and education activities. 

Conducts basic analyses of environmental data using computerized data base(s) or GIS. 

Assists in the preparation of Coastal Use Permits, consistency authorizations, or enforcement actions; may draft permits for projects under close supervision. 

Assists in reviews of local coastal programs and in providing pertinent information and technical assistance to the coastal parishes. 

May be assigned scientific studies of very limited size and complexity, or assist in studies or programs of larger scope and complexity.

 Assists in inventorying land uses, solid and hydrological and meteorological regimes, and obtaining and analyzing biological samples and data to determine which conditions may cause or be causing adverse impacts to coastal wetlands, marshes, flood plains, ecosystems, and other natural resources within these areas. 

Assists in preparing technical reports, publications, and pamphlets relative to the protection, conservation and enhancement of coastal wetlands, marshes, and flood plain areas in Louisiana, and hurricane flood protection for the citizens of the state.