TPWD - Natural Resources Specialist III (State Parks Habitat and Fuels Specialist)

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: Jeff Sparks, 903-566-5698, jeff.sparks@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: 3900 Mercedes St Ste 2 San Angelo, TX 76901

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the supervision of the State Parks Fire and Habitat Management Coordinator, this position performs highly complex (senior-level) natural resources work and is responsible for fuels management and habitat stewardship project planning and implementation within assigned state parks. Participates in other natural resource stewardship initiatives, including wildland fire, throughout the state as assigned. Conducts and coordinates habitat management activities such as brush management, timber marking/thinning, planting, exotic species control, fire-line construction, and erosion control. Assesses projects for impacts to natural and sensitive resources. Conducts habitat assessments and surveys to collect baseline flora and fauna data and monitors fire effects following department standard long-term sampling protocols. Directs/leads firefighters during prescribed fire operations and wildfire response. Collects fire behavior and meteorological data as part of the compilation of post-burn reports and long-term monitoring programs. Informs and educates staff and the public about wildland fire management. Organizes fire cache and maintains wildland fire equipment including engines, trucks, all-terrain vehicles, suppression pumps, and tools and maintains detailed inventories. Develops and implements procedures for immediate and effective response of equipment and personnel to wildland fire operations. Assesses fuel loads and identifies fuel hazards that pose a risk to park infrastructure or visitors and develops plans for reducing/mitigating hazards. Develop project reports and after-action reviews for assigned projects. 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.

Experience:

Four years of relevant experience.

Licensure:

Must possess a valid class 'A' Texas Commercial driver's license OR must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid class 'C' Texas driver's license and convert to a class 'A' Commercial driver's license within 24 months of employment;

Required to pass the air brake component of a class 'A' Commercial driver's license standard examination.

NOTE: Retention of position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required licenses and compliance with State and Federal regulations including the Department of Transportation (DOT) required drug and alcohol testing.

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 9 months of employment, a Non-Commercial Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators license issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture;

Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) certification.

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

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to pass at time of interview or had passed within last 6 months, the NWCG arduous level 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:

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for one year of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Fire Ecology, Conservation Science, Rangeland or Agriculture Management, or closely related Natural Resource Management field.

Experience:

Experience preparing natural resource management plans or fire management plans;

Experience in implementing habitat management and restoration projects;

Experience working with GPS field mapping systems;

Experience working with GIS applications;

Experience in herbicide application;

Experience calculating herbicide application rates, mixing chemicals, and calibrating herbicide application equipment;

Experience in developing public and private partnerships to implement projects;

Experience operating Wildland fire engines and tools;

Experience operating heavy equipment such as haul trucks, trailers, tractors, skid steers, and other forestry and wildland fire equipment.

Licensure:

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 1 certification;

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Incident Commander Type 5;

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Engine Boss certification;

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) Firing Boss certification;

Current Non-Commercial Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators license issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture;

Current Texas Commercial driver's license class 'A' Commercial driver's, with air brake endorsement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of issues affecting natural and cultural resources;

Knowledge of basic fire behavior in varying fuel types (forest, shrub and grasslands);

Knowledge of first aid, CPR and emergency procedures;

Knowledge of habitat enhancement practices and their impacts on wildlife;

Knowledge of the fundamentals of natural and cultural resource management;

Knowledge of herbicide application, mixing, storage, and documentation procedures.

Knowledge of water delivery using portable pumps and engines;

Knowledge of wildland fire ignition strategies;

Knowledge of basic equipment, vehicle, and machinery maintenance;

Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook;

Skill in using standard office equipment;

Skill in effective verbal and written communication;

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts;

Skill in managing time and meeting deadlines;

Skill in applying common habitat management techniques;

Skill in land navigation and data collection with conventional means and using mobile technology applications;

Skill in making independent, sound and timely decisions;

Skill in the use of hand and power tools, mowers, trimmers, chain saws, tractors, vehicles, generators and other mechanical equipment;

Skill in maintaining and repairing hand and power tools, mowers, trimmers, chain saws, tractors, vehicles, generators and other mechanical equipment;

Skill in weighing the relative costs and benefits of a potential action;

Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other state and federal agencies and organizations;

Skill in applying critical thinking skills to specific problems to come up with appropriate solutions;

Skill in training others;

Skill in making sound decisions based upon available data within short time-frames;

Skill in managing several projects simultaneously;

Skill in conducting conservation outreach programs;

Skill in identifying, researching and compiling information;

Skill in keeping records, documenting activities, and preparing reports.

Ability to work as a member of a team;

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;

Ability to use GPS units and interface with GIS mapping software;

Ability to operate field equipment such as tractors, shredders, ATVs, etc.;

Ability to troubleshoot and maintain equipment;

Ability to accurately follow instructions;

Ability to work under stressful conditions;

Ability to travel to various and remote work locations;

Ability to provide leadership within a team, including conflict resolution;

Ability to supervise projects;

Ability to exercise sound judgment when making critical decisions;

Ability to uniformly and consistently interpret and communicate rules and regulations and State and Federal laws;

Ability to perform manual labor, including lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;

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

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Regular workweek 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, may be required to work overtime as necessary;

Required to reside a distance that allows a maximum response time of 45 minutes to assigned work location;

Required to adjust to changing schedules;

Required to work any shift within a 24-hour period if necessary;

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

Required to stand for extended periods of time;

Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;

Required to operate a State vehicle;

Required to travel greater than 50% of time with possible overnight stays;

Must be willing to reside in shared housing with other crewmembers;

Required to pass drug screening prior to employment;

Required to pass a previous employment drug testing history verification for all CDL positions held within the past two years;

Subject to random, post-accident and reasonable cause testing for the duration of employment;

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

PLEASE 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: 2026-11-02