Natural Resources Specialist I - II - III

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the District 8 Leader, this position is responsible for planning and implementing natural resource management, monitoring, and research for wildlife and habitat resources in Bastrop and Caldwell counties within the Post Oak Savannah ecological region of the Southern Blackland Prairie Wildlife District. Provides technical assistance and public outreach to the public, private landowners, land managers, sportsmen, and new constituencies. Develops comprehensive wildlife management plans for private landowners upon request. Disseminates information via news releases, radio/TV interviews, presentations, and educational programs. Performs administrative duties and prepares technical reports, popular articles, and journal publications. Leads public relations and extension efforts to involve citizens and organizations in supporting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) programs. Identifies public hunting and non-consumptive use opportunities on public and private lands. Performs additional duties as assigned and complies with all agency rules, regulations, and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management, or a closely related Natural Resources Management field.

• Minimum of 24 credit hours in Wildlife/Habitat Conservation, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, and/or Research Methods.

Experience:

• NRS I: No experience required.

• NRS II: Two years of relevant experience.

• NRS III: Six years of relevant experience.

Licensure and Physical Requirements:

• Valid State driver's license within 30 days of employment.

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II (FFT II) certification within one year of employment.

• Within one year of employment, pass the FFT II moderate duty physical fitness standard (2-mile walk with a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less) or arduous duty standard (3-mile walk with a 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less).

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Education (NRS I-III): Current Associate or Certified Wildlife Biologist certification from The Wildlife Society may substitute for the required 24 credit hours of specialized coursework.

• Experience (NRS II-III only): A Master's degree in a qualifying wildlife or natural resources field may substitute for one year of required experience; a Ph.D. in a qualifying field may substitute for two years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with domestic livestock grazing regimes, rural landowners, big game management, and nongame, threatened, or endangered species.

• Current NWCG Fire Fighter Type II certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of life history, ecology, inventory, monitoring, and management needs of indigenous wildlife and habitats, particularly on private lands, as well as farm and ranching impacts.

• Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, statistical analysis programs, and GIS/GPS systems.

• Skill in research planning, collecting and analyzing scientific data, plant identification, and applying common and advanced habitat enhancement techniques.

• Skill in developing comprehensive wildlife management plans, conducting conservation outreach, and identifying solutions to resource issues.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills for engaging the public, agency staff, universities, and government agencies on fish, wildlife, and habitat issues.

• Ability to plan, assign, train, and supervise projects and staff, participating in local, regional, and statewide conservation planning.

• Ability to perform routine to highly complex natural resources work independently or on a team under varying levels of supervision, exercising appropriate initiative and judgment.

• Ability to operate field equipment (tractors, shredders, ATVs), perform manual labor lifting up to 50 lbs., and follow TPWD safety programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Standard hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with evening, weekend, and holiday work as needed.

• Requires outdoor work in adverse weather, manual labor lifting up to 50 lbs., and 20% travel with possible overnight stays.

• Must conform to TPWD dress, grooming, work, and safety rules, and operate a State vehicle in a non-smoking environment.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS: TPWD offers generous paid time off, group insurance (health insurance available the 1st of the month following a 60-day waiting period), retirement/pension, 401K/457 plans, longevity and merit pay, deferred compensation, flexible benefits, direct deposit, staggered hours, training opportunities, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Return-to-Work Program.