Natural Resources Specialist II-III-IV (Assessment and Restoration Biologist) (00040785)

TPWD – Natural Resources Specialist II-III-IV (Assessment and Restoration Biologist)  (00040785) 

Organization: PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 

Primary Location: Texas-Austin 

Work Locations: 

DW-TPWD Headquarters 

4200 Smith School Road 

 Austin 78744

Other Locations: Texas-Mathis 

Job: Management 

Employee Status: Regular 

Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time 

State Job Code: 2682  

Salary Admin Plan: B 

Grade: 18 20, 22 

Salary (Pay Basis): 5,096.07 – 6,146.80 (Monthly) 

Number of Openings: 1 

Overtime Status: Non-exempt 

Job Posting: Apr 9, 2024, 1:48:58 PM 

Closing Date: May 9, 2024, 11:59:00 PM 

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. 

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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:

• Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge.
• 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.

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,  telework, 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: Angela Schrift, (512) 389-8755

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS:  Applicant will have an opportunity to choose between the following two work locations: TPWD Austin Headquarters – Inland Fisheries, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; Corpus Christi Fisheries Management Office, 23198 Park Rd. 25, Mathis, TX 78368

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Program Leader, the Natural Resources Specialist II  position performs complex (journey-level) natural resources work, Natural Resources Specialist III Performs highly complex (senior-level) natural resources work,  Performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work. This includes working as a member of the Department’s Natural Resources Damage Assessment Team, in cooperation with other state and federal natural resource trustee agencies. Works as a principal scientist in natural resource damage investigations to evaluate potential injuries caused by oil spills and the release of hazardous substances, to pursue compensation for those injuries.  As part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process, assists in the development and implementation of injury assessment studies for natural resources.  Assists in the development of damage assessment and restoration plans to quantify injuries and propose restoration alternatives to the public.  Reviews ecological risk assessments, evaluating the analysis of the impacts of chemicals and other contaminants to natural resources, and assembling recommendations to minimize impacts to natural resources.  Assists in the development and oversight of remediation plans.  Plans and manages the implementation of habitat restoration and conservation projects supported through damage recoveries and settlements, including task and budget tracking.  Works under general supervision, with moderate 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 (1): This position will assist in performing Natural Resource Damage Assessments: https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/environconcerns/damage_assessment/ 

NOTE (2): Please submit a writing sample (e.g., thesis, publication, professional letter or report), where you were the primary/lead author.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology, or closely related field.

Experience:

• NRS II: Two years relevant experience.
• NRS III:  Six years relevant experience.
• NRS IV:  Ten years relevant experience.

Licensure:

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid class “C” Texas driver’s license.  

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

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology, or closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology, or closely related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology, or closely related field.

Experience:

Six years of relevant experience.

Experience in project management (planning, organizing, and accomplishing multiple, simultaneous assignments).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of ecological, toxicological, and/or pollution assessment principles and techniques;
• Knowledge of field methods for assessing environmental impacts;
• Knowledge of the effects of water pollution and environmental contaminants on fish, benthics, wildlife, and their habitat;
• Knowledge of Texas and U.S. laws, regulations, and policies regarding natural resource damage assessments (NRDA);
• Skill in using MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
• Skill in the operation of a variety of scientific and analytical equipment, including laboratory equipment,
• field sampling gear, and global positioning system (GPS) equipment;
• Skill in ESRI ArcGIS software.
• Skill in coordinating and communicating with department personnel, other governmental agencies, public, universities, non-profits, private sector partners and contractors;
• Skill in project management;
• Skill in bringing individuals and groups together to accomplish common goals;
• Skill in designing and conducting water quality, biological, and/or habitat studies;
• Skill in research planning, design, and data analysis using statistics and statistical programs such as R or SAS;

NRS II:

• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, regulations, and laws;
• Ability to review, interpret, summarize, and comment on technical documents in a professional manner;
• Ability to work as a member of a team;
• Ability to make independent evaluations and plan, organize, and accomplish multiple, simultaneous assignments without close supervision;
• Ability to review financial documents for accuracy and compliance with departmental policies and procedures;
• Ability to manage project quality to ensure that project deliverables are acceptable and fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications;
• Ability to monitor and manage project cost to ensure that project is completed within budget;
• Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program;
• Ability to perform complex (journey-level) natural resources work;
• Ability to work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;

NRS III:

• Abilities of NRS II; PLUS:
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and train others;
• Ability to perform highly complex (senior-level) natural resources work;
• Ability to work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;

NRS IV:

• Abilities of NRS III; PLUS:
• Ability to performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work;
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturday, Sundays, and holidays;
• Required to work overtime if necessary;
• Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules, and safety procedures;
• Required to travel 30% with possible overnight stays;
• Required to operate a State vehicle;
• Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles;
• This position is suitable to telework two days per week and the candidate may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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