Natural Resources Specialist I-II-III (Wildlife Biologist) Natural Resources Specialist I-II-III (Wildlife Biologist) Salary $3,504.18 - $4,782.67 Monthly Location Tilden, TX Job Type Regular Full Time Division Wildlife Job Number 18-00571 Closing 4/5/2018 11:59 PM Central Work Address TPWD Daughtrey Wildlife Management Are, 198 Wildlife Ranch Road, Tilden, TX 78072 Hiring Contact (512) 676-3413 * Description * Benefits * Questions General Description Under the direction of the South Texas Ecosystem Project Leader, this position is responsible for performing the professional planning and implementation of natural resource management, monitoring, research duties and public hunting associated with wildlife and habitat resources on the James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and other WMAs within the South Texas Ecosystem Project. Provides technical assistance and public outreach programs to the general public, private landowners/land managers, sportsmen and new constituencies. Disseminates information to the general public through news releases, radio/TV interviews, program presentations, field days, demonstrations, tours and other public outreach and educational opportunities. Performs administrative duties and prepares technical reports, popular articles and professional journal publications. Responsible in assigned area for public relations, educational/extension efforts to involve private citizens and organizations in support of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) programs. Identifies public hunting and non-consumptive use opportunities on public and private lands. Assists in constructing, maintaining, and repairing infrastructure and equipment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures. NOTE: Natural Resources Specialist (NRS) I salary will be commensurate with experience and/or completion of an advanced degree. Current TPWD NRS I-III employees may apply for this position at their current classification title and at the established Wildlife Division salary rate. Career Ladder progression is available dependent upon business need. POSTING NUMBER: 18-00571 Qualification Guidelines MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education: * Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree preferably in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management, or closely related field in Natural Resources Management. Major coursework from bachelor's or post bachelor's degree programs must include a minimum of 24 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 relevant experience. * NRS III: Six years relevant experience. Licensure: * If driving is required, applicant must possess a valid State driver's license; * Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, a Non-commercial Political Subdivision Applicator license with appropriate applicator category as determined by the supervisor issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture; * Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II certification. NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license and certification. Physical Requirements: * Must be able to pass, within one year of employment, the FFT II moderate duty physical fitness standard (walk 2 miles with a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less) OR the arduous duty physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less). ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS: Experience: * NRS II and III ONLY: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for one year of the required experience. * NRS II and III ONLY: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for two years of the required experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: ? * Experience with native warm season grass restoration and management; * Experience working with rural landowners; * Experience working with upland game birds; * Experience with big game management; * Experience conducting wildlife habitat management and restoration. Licensure: * Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II certification. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities NRS I-III: * Knowledge of the basic life history, ecology and management needs of wildlife species and their habitats indigenous to the ecological region with particular emphasis relating to South Texas Plains Ecosystem; * Knowledge of general farm and ranching practices and their impacts on wildlife species and their habitats; * Knowledge of wildlife and habitat inventory and monitoring techniques for the ecological region; * Knowledge of North American Model of Wildlife Conservation; NRS I: * Skill in effective verbal and written communication; * Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook; * Skill in using statistical analysis programs; * Skill in operating GIS/GPS systems and other mobile applications; * Skill in collecting scientific data; * Skill in coordinating with the public, universities, department personnel, and other governmental agencies; * Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other State agencies and organizations; NRS II: * Skills of NRS I, PLUS: * Skill in collecting and analyzing scientific data; * Skill in applying common habitat enhancement techniques; * Skill in conducting conservation outreach programs; * Skill in developing comprehensive wildlife management plans in the ecological region; * Skill in plant identification; NRS III: * ?Skills of NRS II, PLUS: * Skill in supervising projects as assigned; * Skill in planning, assigning and/or supervising the work of others; * Skill in communicating with the general public and agency staff on a broad range of fish, wildlife, and habitat issues; * Skill in research planning and design; * Skill in identifying and developing potential solutions to resource related issues; NRS I: * Ability to work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment; * Ability to apply common habitat enhancement techniques; * Ability to work as a member of a team; * Ability to work independently with little or no supervision; * Ability to conduct conservation outreach programs; * Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.; * Ability to communicate with the general public and agency staff on a broad range of fish, wildlife, and habitat issues; * Ability to identify important wildlife plants; * Ability to operate field equipment such as outboard boats, dozers, skidsteers, tractors, shredders, ATV's, etc.; * Ability to perform minor maintenance and repair to infrastructure and equipment; NRS II: * Abilities of NRS I, PLUS: * Ability to work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment; * Ability to supervise projects as assigned; * Ability to understand the planning process; * Ability to understand the environmental permitting process; NRS III: * Abilities of NRS II; PLUS:

• Ability to work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment; * Ability to apply advanced habitat enhancement techniques; * Ability to train others; * Ability to participate in local, regional, and statewide conservation planning efforts; * Ability to participate in the environmental permitting process. Additional Information WORKING CONDITIONS: * Required to work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; * Required to work on holidays, weekends and hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as necessary; * Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions; * Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.; * Required to work in areas with heavy insect infestations; * Required to work in areas with muddy and unstable soils; * Required to work in remote field locations; * Required to travel 20% with possible overnight stays; * Required to operate a State vehicle; * Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In order to be considered for this position, the following information is required: * Submittal of a completed online application; * Work history experience MUST be completed in the online application; * A scanned copy of official college transcript(s) issued from the registrar must be attached to the online application (if applicable); * Applicants must attach a DD214 or other supporting documentation to the online application to claim Veterans Preference. NOTE: Resume and professional references may be attached to the online application, but not in place of the completed application. A skills test may be conducted at time of interview. Army 72, 92 Navy Meteorology and Oceanography, Restricted Line (Information Dominance) Coast Guard MST, 790, 72 Marine Corps 68, 88 Air Force 1W, 8E, 9S, 15 http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_NaturalResources.pdf (Download PDF reader) Available benefits as a TPWD employee: * Group Insurance Benefits Employees Retirement System * Health Insurance * Dental Insurance * Optional Term Life Insurance * Dependent Life Insurance * Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance * Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance * Flexible health and dependent day care accounts TexFlex * Retirement program Employees Retirement System * Deferred Compensation 401(k) and 457 Texa$aver * Group legal services program Texas Legal Protection Plan * Paid time off
• Longevity Pay * Direct Deposit * Free Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs * Training and Development Opportunities * Education Assistance Program * Wellness Opportunities 01 Which best describes your level of education? * 8th grade level education * High School Graduate or GED * Some college * Associate's Degree * Bachelor's Degree * Master's Degree
• Doctorate * None of the above 02 Is your degree (preferably) in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management, or closely related field in Natural Resources Management. Major coursework from bachelor's or post bachelor's degree programs must include a minimum of 24 hours in Wildlife/Habitat Conservation, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, and/or Research Methods? * Yes * No 03 I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I must be able to pass, within one year of employment, one of the following Fire Fighter Type II physical fitness standards: Moderate duty physical fitness standard (walk 2 miles with 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less) OR Arduous duty physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less) * Yes * No 04 I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, a Non-commercial Political Subdivision Applicator license with appropriate applicator category as determined by the supervisor issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture. * Yes * No 05 I ACKNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTAND that I must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II certification. * Yes * No Required Question Agency Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Address 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas, 78744 Phone 512-389-4545 Website http://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs/ Natural Resources Specialist I-II-III (Wildlife Biologist)