Apply through the Texas Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).
Link to CAPPS posting: 
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/802/jobdetail.ftl?job=00050433&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

HIRING CONTACT: Michelle Haggerty, (830) 896-2504              michelle.haggerty@tpwd.texas.gov 

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Boerne, TX or a TPWD office location within 150 miles of Boerne, TX and within the position’s area of focus being the south and west portions of the state, from the Trans-Pecos to South Texas and the Gulf Coast.
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This position provides an opportunity to work in the field and on a broad spectrum of nongame wildlife species and conservation research. The position also offers a great opportunity to engage the public, partners and peers through Texas Nature Trackers projects while also assisting with several community stewardship and engagement programs of the branch. The position provides opportunity for work across the state and in world-class conservation areas of Texas.
Under the direction of the Community Stewardship and Engagement Programs Leader, this position performs highly complex (senior-level) natural resources work. Responsible for developing and managing community science programs for species of concern and species of greatest conservation need in the south and west portions of the state, from the Trans-Pecos to South Texas and the Gulf Coast.  Responsibilities include selection of species targeted for community science projects  and designing strategies to detect and monitor wildlife targets; recruiting and training citizen/community scientists; recruiting, networking, and supporting experts to enhance citizen/community science programs; conducting training programs for volunteers, conservation organizations, and agency biologists; recruiting, training, and managing  volunteers; conducting program publicity, and compilation, analysis and presentation of data.  Engages the public, partners, agency employees, and Texas Master Naturalist volunteers to increase and expand participants in volunteer and crowd-sourced data collection and monitoring programs.  Other duties may include creating programs that directly aid in the recovery of species of concern. Serves in a technical advisory capacity to conservation planning efforts and provides support to the Texas Master Naturalist Program.  Works under limited 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.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science or closely related field such as Biology, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management.

NOTE: Copies of transcripts issued from the registrar indicating conferred degree are required at time of application (Applications without transcripts indicating conferred degree attached will be subject to rejection).

Experience:

• Six years of experience in natural resources work, with at least three years Field Biology experience.
• Proficient experience with iNaturalist.
• Proficient experience with MS Office Suite, especially tabular data analysis in Excel.

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:
Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management or other closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in Biology, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management or other closely related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:     

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Botany, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management or other closely related field with strong emphasis in Field Biology and sampling techniques AND/OR Environmental Education and Statistical Analysis.

Experience:

• Five years field biology experience with broad experience in sampling vertebrate, invertebrate and plant populations. NOTE: Work experience should include teaching field techniques, presentation of data in both technical and popular settings and leading or working with volunteers.
• Experience managing citizen/community science programs, projects and volunteers.
• Experience with GIS Software.
• Experience with Kaleidoscope Pro Analysis software, ArcGIS and Survey 123.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Texas animals, plants and ecosystems especially species of concern/greatest conservation need.
• Knowledge of conservation issues and conservation organizations in Texas.
• Knowledge of the use of monitoring programs to detect issues of concern for plant and animal species.
• Knowledge of principles of volunteer management.
• Knowledge of wildlife survey techniques and population sampling analyses, with particular emphasis on abilities and limitations of citizen science data.
• Knowledge of Texas and Federal laws affecting species conservation.
• Knowledge of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department programs, policies, procedures, and operations.
• Skill in application of various quantitative field sampling techniques to collect biological data.
• Skill in participating in or leading citizen science/volunteer monitoring programs, projects, platforms and volunteers that crowd-source natural history observations, data collection and volunteer impacts.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in planning, conducting and evaluating conservation outreach programs/technical guidance.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing and reporting advanced scientific data.
• Skill in coordinating and communicating with the public, universities, department personnel, media representatives and other governmental agencies.
• Skill in use of personal computers.
• Skill in data management.
• Skill in use of GIS and GPS to collect and compile biological data.
• Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Skill in hosting meetings and presentations on virtual platforms such as Webex, Zoom and MS Teams.
• Skill in working with and training others—especially adult learners.
• Skill in analyzing population trends of rare, sensitive, or declining species.
• Ability to establish highly effective relationships with scientific experts and naturalist communities to recruit and support curatorial partners.
• Ability to conceive, plan, organize and develop new conservation programs and training with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with varied audiences including naturalists, educators, agency biologists, research scientists, and policy makers and in a way that engages and retains volunteers in meaningful conservation efforts.
• Ability to use social media, videos, and mobile/web technology to engage new audiences.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to motivate others.
• 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 pm as necessary.
• Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
• Required to travel up to 25% with possible overnight stays.
• Required to operate a state vehicle.
• 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
 
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 with your application. 

 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 attach the required documentation referenced below 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 or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
• 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, 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.