Environmental Scientist (Parks and Recreation Department)

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science or related field plus four years of relevant experience.

One additional year of experience may substitute for one year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four years.

Master’s Degree may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Licenses or Certifications:
None.
Notes to Applicants

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

This Environmental Scientist position will work within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) Land Management Program. The mission of the Program is to restore parkland natural areas to mitigate risk, improve resilience, and provide ecosystem services to Austin in perpetuity. The Program is responsible for restoring approximately 10,000 acres of parkland natural areas with particular focus on improving climate resilience and reducing wildfire risk as well as operating the Austin Nature Preserve System.

The purpose of this Environmental Scientist position is to lead the Program’s vegetation monitoring and data analysis activities, conduct complex geographical analysis tasks, as well as plan, oversee, and implement forest and woodland management activities. This will involve activities such as:

• Designing and implementing environmental monitoring and statistical analysis methods.
• Using Geographic Information Systems ( GIS ) to collect, edit, analyze, and publish data.
• Preparing reports, graphics, and analyses to inform management decisions; presentation to coworkers, executives, the public, and professional conferences with opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Planning, overseeing, and conducting forest/woodland management activities such as prescribed burning, selective thinning, invasive species removal, planting, and seeding.
• Using primary scientific literature to inform management decisions.
• Possess ability to obtain National Wildfire Coordinating Group ( NWCG ) Firefighter Type 1 qualification or higher within 6 months of hire.

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
• Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. National Wildfire Coordinating Group ( NWCG ) arduous work capacity test requires carrying forty-five (45) pounds, three miles in under 45 minutes. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Other:

• Travel: If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you will drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
• 90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.

Pay Range
$28.85 - $36.06 per hour

Hours
Work/Location Schedule:

• Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
• This position will require traveling to multiple sites throughout the workday.
• May be required to work during City emergencies such as extreme weather events.

Job Close Date 06/20/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 2200 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Austin, TX 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of forest/woodland vegetation and ecology and/or fire ecology as they pertain to central Texas ecosystems.
• Experience with design and implementation of forest/woodland vegetation monitoring methods and statistical analyses.
• Experience with desktop GIS applications (e.g. ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro) for data editing and processing, mapping, spatial analysis, and dashboards.
• Experience planning, conducting, and supervising large scale, multi-year forest/woodland management or restoration operations including selective thinning and invasive species control.
• Experience with wildland fire operations such as fuel mitigation and prescribed burning.

Preferred Certification:

• Ability to obtain National Wildfire Coordinating Group ( NWCG ) Firefighter Type 1 qualification or higher within 6 months of hire.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


1.Perform project planning, prioritization, and tracking of technical resources
2.Conduct site selection and study design
3.Operate/calibrate equipment
4.Perform chemical, biological and physical testing and classification
5.Interpret water quality, flow and biological data
6.Conduct training in sampling and analysis
7.Organize and prepare reports and memos based on data evaluation
8.Review and interpret policies, codes, regulations and ordinances
9.Perform environmental assessments on proposed capital projects, systems, programs and development plans
10.Assist in development of code changes and rules development

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.


Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.

Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedures.

Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.

Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

Skill in using computers and related software applications.

Skill in data analysis and problem solving.

Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.

Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, or Natural Science, plus four (4) years of experience in a related field. Master degree may substitute for experience of up to two years. One (1) year of additional related experience may substitute for one (1) year of required education up to a maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* In reviewing the preferred qualifications section of this job posting, please describe in 500 words or less how you meet those preferred qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* Tasks frequently involve bending, lifting, walking long distances over rough terrain in all types of weather conditions, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds. Do you have the ability to complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) arduous work capacity test which requires carrying a 45-pound pack for three miles in under 45 minutes?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Which of the following certifications do you currently hold?

• Leed BD+C AP
• SITES AP
• LEED Green Associate
• LEED AP Neighborhood Development
• Envision Sustainability Professional
• Do not have the above certifications but willing to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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