TPWD – Natural Resources Specialist I – II – III (WMA Biologist) (00038999)

HIRING CONTACT:  Chip Ruthven, (806) 492-3405

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area, 2562 FM 301, Whiteface, TX 79379

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Panhandle WMA Project Leader, this position is responsible for performing the professional planning and implementation of natural resource management, monitoring, research duties, and public hunting associated with wildlife and habitat resources on the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and other WMAs within the Panhandle WMA Project.  Provides technical assistance and public outreach programs to the general public, private landowners/land managers, sportsmen, and new constituencies.  Disseminates information to the general public through news releases, radio/TV interviews, program presentations, field days, demonstrations, tours, and other public outreach and educational opportunities.  Performs administrative duties and prepares technical reports, popular articles and professional journal publications.  Responsible in assigned area for public relations and educational/extension efforts to involve private citizens and organizations in support of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) programs.  Identifies public hunting and non-consumptive use opportunities on public and private lands.  Assists in constructing, maintaining, and repairing infrastructure and equipment. Performs additional duties as assigned.  Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures. 

NOTE:  Natural Resources Specialist (NRS) I salary will be commensurate with experience and/or completion of an advanced degree.  Current TPWD NRS I-III employees may apply for this position at their current classification title and at the established Wildlife Division salary rate.  Career Ladder progression is available dependent upon business need.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree preferably in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management, or closely related field in Natural Resources Management.  Major coursework from Bachelor’s or post-Bachelor’s degree programs must include a minimum of 24 hours in Wildlife/Habitat Conservation, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, and/or Research Methods.

Experience:

• NRS I:  No experience required;
• NRS II:  Two years relevant experience;
• NRS III: Six years relevant experience.

Licensure:   

• If driving is required, applicant must possess a valid State driver’s license;
• Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, a Non-commercial Political Subdivision Applicator license with appropriate applicator category as determined by the supervisor issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture;
• Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II (FFT II) certification.

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

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to pass, within one year of employment, the FFT II moderate duty physical fitness standard (walk 2 miles with a 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less) OR the arduous duty physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less);

Required to conduct (without air sickness) low-level aerial fixed wing aircraft and helicopter surveys. TPWD employees are required to comply with aircraft weight restrictions. Weight limit restrictions prohibit flight with passengers that weigh in excess of 300 pounds. Must meet weight restrictions to accomplish annual low-level aerial surveys.

NOTE:  Retention of position contingent upon meeting and maintaining physical requirements

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Education:

NRS I-II-III: Current Associate Wildlife Biologist certification OR current Certified Wildlife Biologist certification issued by the Wildlife Society may substitute for the required minimum of 24 hours in Wildlife/Habitat Conservation, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Biology, and/or Research Methods from Bachelor’s or post-Bachelor’s degree program.

Experience:

NRS II and III ONLY:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for one year of the required experience;

NRS II and III ONLY:   Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Range and Wildlife Management or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Experience with native warm season grass restoration and management;
• Experience with grazing regimes utilized for domestic livestock;
• Experience working with rural landowners;
• Experience working with upland game birds;
• Experience with big game management;
• Experience working with nongame, threatened, and/or endangered species;
• Experience working with waterfowl and other migratory game birds;
• Experience conducting wildlife habitat management and restoration.

Licensure:   

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

NRS I-III:

• Knowledge of the basic life history, ecology and management needs of wildlife species and their habitats indigenous to the ecological region with particular emphasis relating to High and Rolling Plains;
• Knowledge of general farm and ranching practices and their impacts on wildlife species and their habitats;
• Knowledge of wildlife and habitat inventory and monitoring techniques for the ecological region;
• Knowledge of experimental research planning, design, and data analysis;
• Knowledge of basic ecosystem management with emphasis on watershed management and its impact on wildlife, their habitat, and water resources;
• Knowledge of North American Model of Wildlife Conservation;

NRS I:

• Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
• Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook;
• Skill in using statistical analysis programs;
• Skill in operating GIS/GPS systems and other mobile applications;
• Skill in collecting scientific data;
• Skill in coordinating with the public, universities, department personnel, and other governmental agencies;
• Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other State agencies and organizations;

NRS II:  Skills of NRS I; PLUS:

• Skill in collecting and analyzing scientific data;
• Skill in applying common habitat enhancement techniques;
• Skill in conducting conservation outreach programs;
• Skill in developing comprehensive wildlife management plans in the ecological region;
• Skill in plant identification;

NRS III:  Skills of NRS II; PLUS:

• Skill in supervising projects as assigned;
• Skill in planning, assigning and/or supervising the work of others;
• Skill in communicating with the general public and agency staff on a broad range of fish, wildlife, and habitat issues;
• Skill in research planning and design;
• Skill in identifying and developing potential solutions to resource related issues;

NRS I:

• Ability to apply common habitat enhancement techniques;
• Ability to work as a member of a team;
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Ability to conduct conservation outreach programs;
• Ability to communicate with the general public and agency staff on a broad range of fish, wildlife, and habitat issues;
• Ability to identify important wildlife plants;
• Ability to operate field equipment such as tractors, shredders, ATVs, etc.;
• Ability to perform minor maintenance and repair to infrastructure and equipment;
• 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;
• Ability to perform routine (journey-level) natural resources work;
• Ability to work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;
• NRS II:  Abilities of NRS I; PLUS:
• Ability to work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;
• Ability to supervise projects as assigned;
• Ability to understand the planning process;
• Ability to understand the environmental permitting process;
• 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 work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;
• Ability to apply advanced habitat enhancement techniques;
• Ability to train others;
• Ability to participate in local, regional, and statewide conservation planning efforts;
• Ability to participate in the environmental permitting process;
• 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.

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;
• Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• Required to perform manual labor, including lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;
• Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules, and safety procedures;
• Required to work in remote field locations;
• Required to live on-site in State housing with a monthly deduction of  $185.93.  Housing rate is established by TPWD policy, calculated using federal guidelines, and may change according to market value;
• Required to travel 20% with possible overnight stays;
• May be required to operate State vehicle;
• Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER