TPWD – Natural Resources Specialist IV (Senior Wildlife Biologist) (00037233)

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: This position location TBD within 14 Eastern Edwards Plateau Counties.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

NOTE (1): Successful applicant will be expected to reside within their assigned counties.

NOTE (2): College transcripts are required. A cover letter and resume are highly recommended.

Under the supervision of the Wildlife Division District 4 Leader, the Senior Wildlife Biologist serves as a team lead within a 14-county area of responsibility.  Demonstrates a strong understanding of wildlife and habitat management techniques in the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion.  Mentors less-tenured biologists and works with the district team to advance knowledge and expertise on wildlife and habitat management to improve technical guidance consultations on private lands in the Edwards Plateau.  Works directly with both public and private land managers to recommend wildlife management techniques and habitat enhancement practices for game and non-game species, formulate comprehensive plans concerning management techniques, and recommend appropriate harvest levels of game species.  Identifies staff training needs and directs new training to improve team performance or address changes to programs or policies.  Develops and coordinates dissemination of wildlife management related information to landowners, hunters and the general public through publications, clinics, seminars, social media, news releases, and popular articles.  Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Demonstrates a commitment to a high level of professionalism and demonstrates diplomacy and discretion working with team members and constituents. Welcomes the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and challenges, performing 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 in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or closely related field in Natural Resources Management.  Major coursework from bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s degree programs must include 24 hours minimum in Wildlife/Habitat Conservation, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management and/or Research from accredited college or university.

Experience:

Five years of experience employed as a professional biologist with a broad background of progressively responsible practical wildlife management experience.

Licensure:  

• Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid class “C” Texas driver’s license;
• Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildfire Coordinator Group’s (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type 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 FFTII moderate duty physical fitness standard (walk 2 miles with 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 departmental aircraft weight restrictions.  Weight limit restrictions prohibit flight with passengers that weigh in excess of 300 pounds.  

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

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or closely related field in natural resource management may substitute for one year of the required experience;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or closely related field in natural resource management may substitute for one year of the required experience, with a maximum substitution of two years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Experience mentoring and training others;
• Experience working with rural landowners;
• Experience with big game management;
• Experience with upland game bird management;
• Experience with nongame, threatened, and/or endangered species;
• Experience with native warm season grass restoration;
• Experience with project management.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of life history, habitat requirements and management needs of wildlife species indigenous to Texas with emphasis relating to private lands;
• Knowledge and understanding of ecosystem management;
• Knowledge of farm and ranch 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 Department programs, policies, procedures, and operations;
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication;
• Skill in planning, conducting and evaluating conservation outreach programs;
• Skill in conveying advanced broad range of fish, wildlife and habitat issues with a wide variety of audiences, especially land managers and the general public;
• Skill in collecting, analyzing and reporting advanced scientific data;
• Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner;
• Skill in coordinating and communicating with the public, universities, department personnel, media representatives and other governmental agencies;
• Skills in using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; 
• Skill in applying advanced habitat enhancement techniques;  
• Skill in planning, conducting, and evaluating activities concerning wildlife population dynamics, habitat requirements, and habitat enhancement activities;
• Skill in working independently with little or no supervision;
• Skill in working as a team member;
• Skill in project management;
• Skill in research planning, design, and data analysis;
• Skill in identifying and developing potential solutions to resource related issues;
• Skill in identifying plants important to wildlife;
• Ability to mentor and train others;
• Ability to bring individuals and groups together to accomplish common wildlife and habitat management goals;
• Ability to make decisions in the absence of the project leader;
• Ability to conduct fixed-wing/helicopter aerial surveys as needed/required.

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 travel up to 40% with possible overnight stays;
• Required to operate State vehicle;
• Required to work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER