Salary : $4,458.00 - $8,027.00 Monthly
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Promotion
Job Number: 513-217545-26
Department: Wildlife & Fisheries-Wildlife
Opening Date: 02/12/2026
Closing Date: 2/17/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
LDWF supports a strong work ethic in its employees and incorporates the use of good science, accurate information and technology. The Office of Wildlife exists to provide wise stewardship of Louisiana's wildlife and associated habitats and increase wildlife conservation awareness.
BIOLOGIST DCL-A DISEASE SPECIALIST- EAST BATON ROUGE
This position serves as the department's expert and senior staff advisor to agency staff and the public regarding research study design on wildlife disease sampling, wildlife disease statistical analysis, and emergency response to wildlife confiscations. This job is designated as a Dual Career Ladder requiring performance of higher-level complex duties and possession of advanced specialized skills.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus four years of experience in wildlife or fisheries, forestry, or environmental science; OR
A non-thesis master's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus three years of the required specialized experience; OR
A master's degree with a completed thesis or a doctorate in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus two years of the required specialized experience.
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 is responsible for the following:
This position will serve as the statewide expert in wildlife disease research study design, sampling coordination, and logistics, assist in determining wildlife species surveillance needs on a statewide basis, perform wildlife necropsies, and prepare tissue samples for shipping and diagnostics. The incumbent will maintain the wildlife disease lab and equipment and purchase sampling and processing supplies for Wildlife Division personnel, work closely with and serve as a special assistant to the state wildlife veterinarian, trap and monitor wildlife species for disease surveillance and health. This position serves as the statewide expert in coordinating emergency response to wildlife confiscations.
The incumbent will compile and analyze statewide wildlife disease data and write manuscripts. The position will also streamline the technology as well as data and submission forms utilized in disease sample collection, create reports for review with the state wildlife veterinarians, regional biologists, and species program managers. Maintain a statewide wildlife disease database, including diseases and parasites that affect white-tailed deer, feral swine, large carnivores, fur bearers, and other wildlife species. This position will communicate with state health agencies such as Louisiana Health and Hospitals, concerning zoonotic wildlife diseases as part of the One Health Initiative, communicate and collaborate with other state and federal wildlife disease labs, specialists, veterinarians, and researchers concerning wildlife disease surveillance and implications.
The incumbent will review wildlife disease research articles and literature, design and implement research investigations and projects to provide baseline data concerning wildlife diseases with emphasis on zoonotic and emerging diseases. This position will write and publish popular and scientific articles on wildlife disease and other research results and activities. This position will also collaborate and work with species program managers to investigate and address specific problems and issues that may be affecting wildlife species' health, productivity, or sustainability. The incumbent will investigate the potential use of new technologies to answer questions pertinent to wildlife disease ecology, work to obtain grants when possible to fund wildlife disease and wildlife disease ecology research, and adhere to the reporting requirements of those grants. The incumbent of this position will also assist species program managers as needed and educate & train biologists in wildlife disease sampling and necropsy technique. This position will perform other duties as assigned.
POSITION- SPECIFIC DETAILS:
Location: This position will be domiciled in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Appointment Type: This is a promotional opportunity open only to permanent status LDWF employees.
Supplemental Qualifications: Two years of experience in applied wildlife management, including working with wildlife health or disease sampling of various wildlife, conducting necropsies, and responding to nuisance/injured wildlife.
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 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 on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification. A criminal background check will be required of all selected applicants. Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.
If you are applying for a position that requires a baccalaureate and/or master's degree, you may apply 90 days prior to receipt of your degree; however, the effective date of the appointment cannot be prior to your graduation date.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities, see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
Wildlife & Fisheries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VACANCY CONTACT:
Cassandra Louis
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries- Human Resources
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
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
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Are you a current permanent employee with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries?
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Are you able to travel as required?
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Do you have a completed thesis with a master's degree? If so, enter the degree major and thesis subject. If you do not have a completed thesis, enter NA.
Required Question
