Program Specialist IV (Staff Relations Specialist)

TPWD – Program Specialist IV (Staff Relations Specialist) (00039451) 

Organization: PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 

Primary Location: Texas-Austin 

Work Locations: 

DW-TPWD Headquarters 

4200 Smith School Road 

 Austin 78744

Job: Office and Administrative Support 

Employee Status: Regular 

Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time 

State Job Code: 1573  

Salary Admin Plan: B 

Grade: 20  

Salary (Pay Basis): 5,600.00 – 5,600.00 (Monthly) 

Number of Openings: 1 

Overtime Status: Exempt 

Job Posting: Feb 2, 2024, 5:38:43 AM 

Closing Date: Feb 23, 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

Program Specialist I-VII

Army

No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.

Program Specialist I-VII

Navy

OS, YN,  YNS, 611X, 612X, 641X, 712X

Program Specialist I-VII

Coast Guard

OS, YN, OSS, PERS,

Program Specialist I-VII

Marine Corps

No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.

Program Specialist I-VII

Air Force

8U000, 16GX, 60C0, 63G0, 86M0, 86P0, 88A0, 88B0

*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:  Carolyn Gonzales, (512) 389-4893

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: TPWD Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position is responsible for helping the division maintain harmonious and productive work environments supportive of individual and organizational success. Activities support the divisions goals and agency mission by bridging gaps and leading all to success while working cohesively with key partners in the Human Resources, Legal, and Internal Affairs Divisions.

Under the direction of the State Parks Staff Services Program Director, this position is responsible for improving and enhancing State Parks work relationships, performance, and employee engagement for paid and unpaid staff.  Performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services and technical support work.  Evaluates State Parks personnel and operations to identify areas of needed change and helps make recommendations for improvement or how to appropriately address areas of concern.  Assists management in addressing performance and conduct issues, to include development of tools, resources, and training for supervisors and employees.  Duties include conducting working conditions complaint investigations, preparing relevant reports/documentation, and coordinating corrective actions.  Maintains high level of confidentiality in managing sensitive employee information.  Ensures compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations, and agency policies and procedures.  Manages multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in support of organizational objectives.  Coordinates and collaborates with division management, TPWD’s Legal, Internal Affairs, and Human Resources Divisions.  Works under limited 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.  

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

Five years experience with employee performance management and the disciplinary process in the human resources employee relations field or closely related experience associated with advising managers and employees, and conducting complaint investigations;

Two years experience in a supervisory or management capacity responsible for employee relations, coaching and/or counseling employees.

NOTE:  Experience may have occurred concurrently.

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 contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Education:

One additional year of the required experience in employee performance management and the disciplinary process in the human resources employee relations field or closely related experience associated with advising managers and employees, and conducting complaint investigations may substitute for 30 hours of the required education, with a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Human Resources Management, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Experience in human resources, employee relations or closely related field;
• Experience with providing consultative services, mediation or coaching and/or counseling;
• Experience with conducting complaint investigations;
• Experience with creating and preparing report findings.

Licensure:  

Texas Basic 40-hour Mediator Certification issued by a professional accreditation;

Current HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification OR SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of TPWD policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of Human Resources related state and federal laws;
• Knowledge of federal and state employment law, including Title VII, ADAA, FMLA and FLSA;
• Knowledge of performance management and disciplinary procedures and best practices;
• Knowledge of workplace complaint procedures and best practices;
• Knowledge of recruitment and retention, employee engagement and inclusion strategies;
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
• Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts;
• Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other State agencies and organizations;
• Skill in monitoring/assessing performance of individuals or organizations;
• Skill in identifying, researching and compiling information;
• Skill in interpreting, analyzing and explaining policies and procedures;
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workload;
• Skill in handling multiple assignments within established deadlines;
• Skill in using virtual meeting technology;
• Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;
• Ability to analyze complaints, plan and conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations for corrective action;
• Ability to maintain composure, emotions and behavior in difficult situations;
• Ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations;
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Ability to work with diverse constituents and populations;
• Ability to work well with diverse groups and age ranges;
• Ability to understand human behavior and performance;
• Ability to understand individual differences in ability, personality and interests;
• Ability to understand differences in learning styles and motivation techniques;
• Ability to train others;
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and have sound judgment;
• Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities;
• Ability to work as a member of team;
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• 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;
• This position is suitable to telework two days per week and the candidate may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval;
• Required to travel 25% with possible overnight stays and prolonged periods of drive time which may exceed 3 hours;
• May be required to operate a State vehicle;

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER