TPWD - Program Specialist V (Region IV/V Fire Management Coordinator)

Job Description

Job Description

TPWD MISSION

To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

HIRING CONTACT: David Forrester, 979-255-8482, david.forrester@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Region IV Post Oak Savannah and Coastal Prairie, Location to be determined.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Under the direction of the Regional Director and working directly with the Wildlife Division Fire Management Coordinator, this position performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Responsible for the oversight and coordination of fire management activities within Region IV and V for the Wildlife Division. Assists TPWD and partner agencies with fire operations statewide. In coordination with field and program managers, this position implements the Wildlife Division Fire Management Policy and procedures. Coordinates with local, state and interagency fire management organizations and ensures fire management activities and training programs in the Wildlife Division meet national and state regulatory and accountability standards. Assists field staff with prescribed fire planning, preparation and implementation activities on state-owned/managed and private lands. Creates, compiles and disseminates fire related incident reports and records. Maintains fire program safety in a high-risk environment, including public and staff safety as well as infrastructure protection. Manages fire equipment and fire cache supplies. Assists with specifications, maintenance and preparedness of equipment and staff resources. Works with managers and project leaders to mentor, evaluate and certify Division staff and track staff qualifications and certifications in the Incident Qualifications System database. Promotes and assists project leaders, district leaders and field staff in establishing and achieving fire management goals and developing training and experience opportunities to advance staff qualifications. Serves on the TPWD Incident Management Team as needed for All Hazard Emergency Response and large planned fire events. Conducts public outreach events on fire management. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

Experience :

Five years of experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

Five years of experience in wildland fire management to include writing, reviewing, and critiquing prescribed burn unit plans and area fire management plans.

NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Licensure :

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid state driver's license.

Must possess current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) FFT1 Trainee certification. (Must provide copy of current NWCG qualifications and IQCS master record or equivalent with job application and resume).

Must possess the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Single Resource Boss and Firing Boss certification.

Must possess the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type IV Incident Commander certification.

Must possess the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Burn Boss (RXB2) certification.

Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, certification as a TPWD Burn Boss according to Texas Prescribed Burn Board standards for prescribed Burn Manager.

NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required licenses and certifications.

Physical Requirements :

Must be able to pass, within one year of employment, the FFTII arduous duty physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less).

NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon meeting and maintaining physical requirements.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS :

Education :

Ten years of experience in Wildland Fire Management to include writing, reviewing, and critiquing prescribed burn unit plans and area fire management plans, may substitute for the required education.

Five years of experience as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Burn Boss (RXB2), may substitute for the required education.

Experience :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field, may substitute for one year of required experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field, may substitute for two years of required experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

Experience :

Experience developing land management objectives.

Experience in implementing fire management activities in Texas fuel models and vegetation types.

Experience in resource and habitat management.

Experience with GPS data collection and processing and using GIS applications.

Experience using or prescribing land management tools such as prescribed fire, selective thinning, grazing etc.

Experience utilizing permanent vegetation plots and monitoring procedures.

Experience building partnerships and maintaining working relationships with NWCG partner agencies and organizations.

Experience with sound, science-based decision making as it relates to fire and natural resources management.

Experience in NWCG training and curriculum design.

Experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media.

Licensure :

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type I (FFT1).

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Engine Boss (ENGB).

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firing Boss (FIRB).

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Commander Type IV (ICT4).

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Burn Boss (RXB2).

Current Texas Prescribed Burn Board Prescribed Burn Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge of NWCG standards, guidelines and training requirements.

Knowledge of community based natural resource management and research techniques and methodologies.

Knowledge of technical report writing and photographic skills.

Knowledge of microcomputer systems and use of computerized databases.

Knowledge of wildland fire behavior and fire management planning.

Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, land management, grazing management, and natural resource conservation.

Knowledge of ecological land management principles.

Knowledge of fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types.

Knowledge of fire ecology in vegetative communities of Texas.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other State agencies and organizations.

Skill in presenting scientific data verbally and in written formats.

Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Skill in GPS field mapping systems.

Skill in GIS applications.

Skill in vegetation and fuel load sampling techniques.

Skill in coordinating intra- and inter-agency incidents.

Skill in working on multiple projects with stringent timelines.

Skill in Wildland fire management and planning.

Ability to manage and coordinate varied program activities and accomplish program goals using independent judgement and initiative.

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Ability to administer budgets, expenditures and contracts.

Ability to manage and coordinate program goals in natural resource management and wildland fire management.

Ability to clearly articulate fire policies to field based personnel.

Ability to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and other field staff to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives.

Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.

Ability to lead and mentor fire skills in others.

Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 75 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Required to maintain the National Wildfire Coordinating Group arduous physical fitness level.

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 work overtime as necessary.

Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 75 lbs.

Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

Required to travel 50% with possible overnight stays.

Required to operate a state vehicle.

Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures.

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

P LEASE NOTE:

All applications must include complete job history information for each period of employment, provided either in the WORK HISTORY SECTION or in the attached RÉSUMÉ. Please ensure each entry includes:

• Job title,
• Employer name,
• Dates of employment (month/year),
• If employment is less than full-time status, indicate part-time in the work history section or résumé, and
• Description of duties performed.
  NOTE: Volunteer experience may be counted toward required experience.

IMPORTANT:

• College Transcripts: If education is used to meet the minimum qualifications, a copy of the college transcript(s) issued by the registrar must be provided at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted in the posting).
• 'N/A' may be entered in fields that are not applicable.
• Omission of required information may result in disqualification.

Work In Texas (WIT) Applicants:

• WIT applicants must complete the supplemental questions in the CAPPS Candidate Gateway to be considered.
• To complete these questions, log in to CAPPS Candidate Gateway .
• If you need assistance creating a résumé, please refer to the 'Create a Résumé' link for Job Seekers on the Work In Texas website .

If the required information and attachments are not submitted as noted above, your application will be considered incomplete.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS:

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a variety of benefits for employees such as generous paid time off, group insurance, retirement and pension, and frequent training and staff development opportunities. Other benefits include longevity pay, merit pay, deferred compensation, flexible benefit plans, 401K/457 retirement plans, direct deposit, staggered work hours, Employee Assistance Program and a Return-to-Work Program. For new employees or rehires, health insurance is available on the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE:

If you choose to claim military employment preference as outlined by the State of Texas, you must attach the required documentation referenced below at the time your application is submitted . If you have questions regarding this requirement, please visit our Military Employment Reference page at https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs/veterans/ .

Required forms that will need to be attached with application for Military Employment Preference:

Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).

Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried- Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.

Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty- Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.

Spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on Active Duty- Marriage Certificate and copy of spouses active-duty military orders.

Spouse of a veteran with disability and is the primary income for household- Marriage Certificate, Veterans DD214, and VA Benefits Summary Letter showing disability rating.

Documentation must be attached to the application before military preference can be granted.

*More information on military occupational specialty codes can be found below:

https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MilitaryCrosswalkGuide.pdf

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Closing Date/Time: 2026-10-20