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.
PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment (month/year) and hours worked per week, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed.
Job history and volunteer experience should be listed in the work history section of the application to receive credit towards meeting the minimum requirements. Part-time experience credit is prorated based on the duration and hours worked per week. Please indicate hours worked for part-time/temporary/seasonal experience. If this information is not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete.
Applications with "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields. If education is used to meet the minimum requirements of the job posting, a copy of a college transcript(s) issued from the registrar must be provided if you are selected for an interview.
WATCH OUR VIDEO ON HOW TO APPLY FOR JOBS APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login. CAPPS Recruit,
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES: Job Classification Service Military Specialty Natural Resources Specialist I-V
Army
92W
Natural Resources Specialist I-V
Navy
AG, 180X, 680X
Natural Resources Specialist I-V
Coast Guard
MST, MSSR, OAR15
Natural Resources Specialist I-V
Marine Corps
6842, 6862, 6802, 8831
Natural Resources Specialist I-V
Air Force
1W0X1, 9S100, 15WX
*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 MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE: If you choose to claim military employment preference as outlined by the State of Texas, you must complete the
Military Employment Preference Survey and attach this form and required documentation referenced on this form 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: 1. Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge.
2. Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried- Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
3. Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty- Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
4. 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.
5. 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. 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 the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period.
Click HERE to view our Benefits page. HIRING CONTACT: Jeff Sparks, (903) 566-5698
PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: To Be Determined
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the State Parks Wildland Fire Program Manager, this position performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work and is responsible for oversight and coordination of natural resource stewardship, including wildland fire activities as assigned statewide. Serves as a Team Lead for habitat management and restoration projects, including establishing, coordinating, scheduling, and reporting project goals. Provides oversight and guidance to contractors and researchers working on conservation and stewardship projects. Provides leadership in planning and implementing prescribed fire and wildfire response operations according to established national and state fire management and incident command standards, and ensures the safety of staff, infrastructure and the general public. Coordinates with local, state and interagency fire management organizations. Coordinates and conducts flora and fauna inventories and assessments, including fire effects monitoring. Assesses fuel loads and fuel hazards that pose a threat to park infrastructure, resources, and visitors and develops plans for reducing/mitigating hazards. Manages and maintains preparedness of fire equipment, staff resources, and fire cache supplies. Mentors, evaluates and assigns tasks for fire management personnel. Develops training and experience opportunities to advance firefighter qualification levels. Serves on the TPWD Incident Management Team, as needed, for All Hazards Emergency Response and large planned events. Works under minimal 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.
NOTE: Position may fluctuate between full-time/part-time hours based on operational needs.
Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
Experience: Ten years' experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field;
Five years' experience in Wildland Fire Management and Planning and implementing prescribed fires in multiple vegetation types and fuel models;
Experience developing and implementing habitat restoration plans with tools such as prescribed fire, selective thinning, herbicide, grazing, etc;
Experience serving as a NWCG burn boss in Texas Fuel Models.
NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.
Licensure: Applicant must possess a valid State driver's license;
Must possess the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Engine Boss (ENGB) and Firing Boss (FIRB) certifications;
Must possess the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type IV Incident Commander (ICT4) certification;
Must possess the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Prescribed Fire Boss (RXB2) certification.
NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required licenses and certifications.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to pass the NWCG arduous level physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less) within 4 weeks of hire.
NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon meeting and maintaining physical requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in a Natural Resource Management or Conservation Science field.
Experience: Experience developing land management objectives and plans;
Experience implementing fire management activities in Texas fuel models and vegetation types;
Experience implementing other resource management tools such as selective thinning, herbicide, grazing, etc.;
Experience with GPS data collection/processing and using GIS applications;
Experience with vegetation inventory and monitoring procedures;
Experience building partnerships and maintaining working relationships with partner agencies/organizations;
Experience in NWCG training and curriculum design;
Experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media;
Experience coordinating interagency incidents and resources;
Experience estimating fuel loads and utilizing fire behavior modeling and prediction systems such as BEHAVE Plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of NWCG standards, guidelines and training requirements;
Knowledge of community-based natural resource management and research techniques;
Knowledge of technical report writing and photographic skills;
Knowledge of computer systems and use of computerized databases;
Knowledge of wildland fire behavior and fire management planning;
Knowledge of current trends and practices in wildland fire and natural resources management and conservation
Knowledge of ecological land management principles;
Knowledge of forest systems and ecology;
Knowledge of fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types;
Knowledge of fire ecology in vegetative communities of Texas;
Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;
Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of an organization;
Skill in presenting scientific data in verbal and written formats;
Skill in GPS field mapping systems;
Skill in GIS applications;
Skill in vegetation and fuel load sampling techniques;
Skill in ecological management 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 different 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 work under stressful conditions;
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 Required to maintain the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group arduous physical fitness level;
Regular workweek 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, may be required to work overtime as necessary;
This position will fluctuate between part-time and full-time status throughout the term of employment. Changing from part-time to full-time and vice versa may impact the amount of leave accrued, eligibility for longevity pay, and health insurance rates;
Required to operate a State vehicle;
Required to travel up to 90% with possible overnight stays;
Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;
Performs work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures;
Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles;
TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WATCH OUR VIDEO ON HOW TO APPLY FOR JOBS Closing Date: Aug 28, 2025, 11:59:00 PM