HIRING CONTACT: Samuel Harryman, (806) 368-1233

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Wildlife Region 1 - District 2, TBD, Preferred location is Canyon, TX or Lubbock, TX

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Wildlife Division District 2 Leader, the Senior Wildlife Biologist performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work and serves as a team lead within a 27-county area of responsibility.  Demonstrates a strong understanding of wildlife and habitat management techniques in the High Plains and Rolling Plains Ecoregions.  Mentors new employees 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 High Plains and Rolling Plains Ecoregions.  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.  Coordinates and directs wildlife management related information for landowners, hunters, and the general public including 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. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 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 two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Experience in farm and ranch practices. 
• Experience with native warm season grass restoration
• Experience working with rural landowners.
• Experience with grazing regimes utilized for domestic livestock
• Experience with big game management.
• Experience with upland game bird management.
• Experience with waterfowl and other migratory game bird management
• Experience with nongame, threatened, and/or endangered species
• Experience with project management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of life history, habitat requirements and management need of wildlife species indigenous to the ecological region with particular emphasis relating to private lands;
• Knowledge of farm and ranch practices and their impact 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 and understanding of Ecosystem Management;
• 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 GIS/GPS programs and other mobile applications;
• 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 mentoring and training others;
• 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 work independently with little or no supervision;
• Ability to work as a member of a team;
• 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;
• 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;
• Required to travel up to 50% with possible overnight stays;
• Required to operate State vehicle;
• Required to work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• 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

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON HOW TO APPLY FOR JOBS

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. 

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, 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.