HIRING CONTACT: Toni Aguilar, (903) 245-3178     toni.aguilar@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: WL - Regional Office - Tyler, 11942 FM 848, Tyler, TX 75707
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Seasonal positions for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provide opportunities to gain practical experience in natural and cultural resource fields.

Under the direct supervision of the Wildlife Regional Fire Program Specialist, this position performs routine (journey-level) fish and wildlife conservation work and will assist three Ecosystem Projects and two Districts in Northeast Texas to install and maintain fire breaks that include mowing, chainsaw cutting, leaf blowing, and herbicide spraying. Assist with conducting prescribed fires on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), private lands, and/or partner lands. Maintain fire equipment.  Assist with field fire vegetative monitoring including maintaining vegetation points, taking measurement of duff layer, identifying species, measuring canopy density and vegetation height, etc. Assist with brush pile burning on WMAs. Assist WMA Managers with various land management tasks such as invasive species removal, fencing, sign posting, mowing, etc. Assist District Biologists with deer surveys, workshop, etc.  Works under moderate supervision, with minimal 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 High School or GED.

Experience:

• National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) training; or willing to obtain training prior to start date of the position. (Free online training is available to individuals without previous experience https://www.nwcg.gov/positions/fft2/position-qualification-requirements).
• FWT IA – no previous season experience with TPWD required.
• FWT IB – one season of prescribed fire experience with TPWD required.
• FWT IC – two seasons of prescribed fire experience with TPWD required.

Licensure:

• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

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

Physical Requirements:
Must be able to pass, within one month of employment, the FFTII 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 a 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes   or less).
NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon meeting and maintaining physical requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:     
Current undergraduate or graduate of an accredited college or university in a Wildlife Science or closely related Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program.

Experience:
National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) training; or a trainee.
Experience in safe operation and maintenance of field equipment (including but not limited to: tractor/skid steer and implements, ATV/UTVs, four-wheel drive vehicles, hauling trailers, pumps, chainsaws, mowers, leaf blower, trimmer, etc.).
Experience using hand and power tools and shop equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of prescribed burns.
• Knowledge of field vegetation survey techniques.
• Knowledge of natural and cultural resource management.
• Knowledge of Texas wildlife habitats and species.
• Skill in using MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work as a member of a team. 
• Ability to travel to various work locations.
• Ability to use a compass, GPS, monitoring apps, and other equipment as assigned.
• Ability to follow scientific protocols.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and organize assigned work activities.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, comply with purchasing documentation, and prepare written correspondence.
• Ability to conduct field work in potentially harsh weather conditions over rough terrain.
• Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to conduct activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Required to work mostly 40 hours per week.  Some weeks could be more dependent on weather 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 outdoor work, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
• Required to perform work in wet unstable soils and muddy conditions.
• Required to work in areas with heavy extreme insect infestation.
• Required to work in remote field locations.
• May be required to travel 50-75% with some overnight stays.  A state vehicle will be available to travel to and from the field.  Lodging and food costs are reimbursable for approved overnight travel.
• 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 operate heavy equipment and farm machinery.
  Bunkhouse lodging is available.
• 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.
 
EXCELLENT 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 on the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.

PLEASE NOTE:  

All applications must contain complete job histories in the WORK HISTORY SECTION to include

• Job Title
• Dates of employment (month/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor and Phone Number
• Description of duties performed
• Volunteer experience credit is counted toward any experience requirement.  Please list those experiences 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.
• Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state ‘unknown’ for any incomplete fields.
• College Transcripts are required at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted on the posting) 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. 
• Applications with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
• Work In Texas (WIT) Applications: WIT applicants are required to complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, login to CAPPS Recruit.

IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT SUBMITTED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

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MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Job Classification | Service | Military Specialty
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Army | 68T, 64A
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Navy | No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Coast Guard | MST, OAR15, SEI18
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Marine Corps | No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Air Force | No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.
Fish and Wildlife Technician I-III | Space Force | No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.*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