Natural Resources Specialist (Patrol)

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County seeks a Specialist to patrol Balcones Canyonlands Preserve tracts, document issues, and coordinate with the Park Police. You will communicate preserve rules, assist with access for contractors and researchers, and support land-management and wildlife monitoring tasks across diverse terrains.

You should have a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources and GIS experience, with strong data reporting and public outreach abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or related field, and 1 year of directly related experience.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the stated requirements and knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and conducting natural resources management projects on Travis County lands, including monitoring and habitat restoration.
• Provide GIS mapping support and maintain GIS databases for land management activities.
• Research and develop methods for natural resources protection and coordinates with agencies to improve project management.
• Compile and analyze field data for reports, presentations, and land management plans.
• Educate the public about natural resources protection and preserves; disseminate information to landowners and agencies.
• Advise County parks staff on natural resources issues and perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

GIS mapping

Biological monitoring

Data collection

Report writing

Public communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources

1 year experience in natural resource management

Tools

ArcView GIS

Geodatabases

Job description

The primary responsibility of this Specialist is to conduct regular patrols of Travis County-managed tracts of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). Patrols will be conducted by driving and/or hiking the BCP boundaries and interior. Patrols may occur off-trail in rough terrain with thick vegetation, potentially in extreme temperatures or weather conditions. Specialist will document and address issues and incidents that are encountered during patrols. This is not a law enforcement position, but this specialist will coordinate with the Travis County Park Police on relevant matters affecting the BCP. Specialist will also communicate BCP rules and information with neighbors, visitors, and potential violators, as necessary. Specialist will also assist in coordinating access on the BCP with approved parties such as contractors, researchers, and infrastructure crews. Specialist may assist with other land-management and wildlife monitoring duties as assigned and needed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the second in a series of three natural resources-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification is distinguished from other classifications by the computer knowledge required. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Assists in planning and conducting natural resources management protection and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County, including monitoring and maintaining projects, conducting biological rare species monitoring, directing and implementing problem species control programs, collecting base line survey data on plant and animal species, coordinating habitat restoration for endangered species, and maintaining preserve infrastructure.
• Assists in providing geographic information system (GIS) mapping support for management and maintaining GIS databases for land management activities. Maintains and updates maps.
• Assists in researching and developing methods and protocols, or improves methods for natural resources management. Researches issues pertaining to natural resource protection and coordinates or works with other agencies or professionals to improve methods and project management for development and enforcement of statewide regulations.
• Assists in compiling and analyzing field data in the form of public presentations, technical written reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, protocols and checklists for the general public. Evaluates data results with regard to impact on natural resources management.
• Assists in conducting education and outreach to the general public. Provides public with in information on natural resources protection and preserves. Disseminates information to landowners, managers, and other public agencies that uses the preserves and parks as research sites.
• Assists in serving as an advisor and consultant for County parks and staff on a variety of natural resources issues. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or a directly related field AND one (1) year of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred

• Previous experience with patrolling or land stewardship of a large wildlife preserve or similar conservation area.
• Pesticide Applicator License.
• Wildland Firefighter Certification (Red Card Certification).
• ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) geoprocessing experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology related to land management protection.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software applications, such as ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) hardware and software.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• Knowledge of endangered species and wildlife issues in Central Texas
• Knowledge of Texas public and private property rights

Skill in

• Using ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Using biological monitoring and censusing, and wildlife control equipment.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Writing detailed incident and technical reports
• Collecting and managing data in ArcGIS or similar GIS software

Ability to

• Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, and implement environmental research and projects.
• Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once.
• Managing data in geodatabases.
• Work as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Use hand and power tools.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), good vision and hearing, sitting, repetitive motion, carrying, lifting, crouching/crawling, vision to monitor, pushing, reaching, and stooping, kneeling to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. Maybe subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Works some nights and weekends.

Location: 11920 Wilson Parke Ave, Austin, TX 78726

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [e-mail]

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.