TPWD - Natural Resources Specialist IV (State Parks Fire and Habitat Management Coordinator)

Texas A&M International; Pipe Creek (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department seeks a seasoned Natural Resources Specialist IV to oversee wildland fire and habitat management for state parks. You will lead teams, coordinate fire plans, and mentor staff while ensuring safety and compliance with incident standards.

The role requires extensive fieldwork, advanced planning, and collaboration with interagency partners to conserve resources and provide outdoor recreation opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Six years of experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire management or related field.
• Three years’ experience in wildland fire management and prescribed fire planning.
• Licensure and certifications as NWCG Fire-related qualifications are required or obtainable.

Responsibilities

• Lead wildland fire and habitat management projects across parks.
• Coordinate and schedule tasks, staff and equipment for fire management operations.
• Develop and implement prescribed fire plans and wildfire response strategies.
• Mentor staff and collaborate with partners and agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team coordination

GPS data collection

GIS applications

Wildland fire management

Budget administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management or related

Tools

GPS data collection

GIS

MS Office

Job description

Job Title TPWD - Natural Resources Specialist IV (State Parks Fire and Habitat Management Coordinator)

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.

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS

2 Positions, 1 Position at San Angelo SP - 3900 Mercedes St Ste 2 San Angelo, TX 76901 and 1 Position at Albert/Bessie Kronkosky SP - 7690 Hwy 46 West Pipe Creek, TX 78063

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the State Parks Wildland Fire and Habitat Program Manager, this position performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work and is responsible for oversight and coordination of natural resource stewardship, including wildland fire activities within assigned parks.Participates in natural resource stewardship initiatives, including wildland fire, throughout the state as assigned.Serves as Team Lead for regional wildland fire and habitat management office including establishing, coordinating, scheduling, and reporting projects and managing assigned staff and equipment.Works collaboratively with Natural and Cultural Resource Coordinators, park management staff, inter-divisional staff and inter-agency cooperators.Provides oversight and guidance to contractors and researchers working on conservation and stewardship projects.Provides leadership in planning and implementing prescribed fire and wildfire response operations according to established national and state fire management and incident command standards, and ensures the safety of staff, infrastructure, and the public. Develops management plans, prescribed fire plans, and detailed scopes of work for habitat stewardship projects. Coordinates with local, state and interagency fire management organizations.Performs database entry, maintenance, analysis and reporting.Coordinates and conducts flora and fauna inventories and assessments, including fire effects monitoring.Assesses fuel loads and fuel hazards that pose a threat to park infrastructure, resources, and visitors and develops plans for reducing/mitigating hazards.Manages and maintains preparedness of fire equipment, staff resources, and fire cache supplies.Mentors, evaluates and assigns tasks for fire management personnel.Develops training and experience opportunities to advance firefighter qualification levels.Serves on the TPWD Incident Management Team, as needed, for All Hazards Emergency Response and large planned events.Works under minimal 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Experience

Six years of experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire management, Fire Ecology or closely related field;

Three years' experience in wildland fire management and planning and implementing prescribed fires in multiple vegetation types and fuel models;

Experience developing and implementing habitat restoration plans with tools such as prescribed fire, selective thinning, herbicide, and grazing.

NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Licensure

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid state driver's license;

Must possess an NWCG Firefighter Type I certifications;

Must possess an NWCG Engine Boss (ENGB) certification;

Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firing Boss certification;

Must possess or be able to obtain, within three years of employment, the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type IV Incident Commander certification;

Must possess or be able to obtain, within three years of employment, certification as a Type II Prescribed Fire Boss (RXB2), following National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standards.

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

Physical Requirements

Must be able to pass at time of interview, or had passed within last 6 months (must provide documentation), the NWCG arduous level physical fitness standard (walk 3 miles with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes or less).

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 Biology, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology or closely related field in Natural Resource Management may substitute for one year of the required experience in Natural Resources Management, Conservation Science, Fire management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Fire Ecology, Conservation Science, Rangeland or Agriculture Management, or closely related Natural Resource Management field.

Experience

Experience developing land management objectives and plans;

Experience implementing fire management activities in Texas fuel models and vegetation types;

Experience implementing other resource management tools such as selective thinning, herbicide, grazing, etc.;

Experience with GPS data collection/processing and using GIS applications;

Experience with vegetation inventory and monitoring procedures;

Experience building partnerships and maintaining working relationships with partner agencies/organizations;

Experience with sound, science-based decision making as it relates to fire and natural resources management;

Experience in NWCG training and curriculum design;

Experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media;

Experience coordinating interagency incidents and resources;

Experience estimating fuel loads and utilizing fire behavior modeling and prediction systems such as BEHAVE Plus.

Licensure

Current National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firing Boss (FIRB);

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Commander Type IV (ICT4);

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Burn Boss (RXB2).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of NWCG standards, guidelines and training requirements;

Knowledge of community-based natural resource management and research techniques;

Knowledge of technical report writing and photographic skills;

Knowledge of computer systems and use of computerized databases;

Knowledge of wildland fire behavior and fire management planning;

Knowledge of current trends and practices in wildland fire and natural resources management and conservation;

Knowledge of ecological land management principles;

Knowledge of fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types;

Knowledge of fire ecology in vegetative communities of Texas;

Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;

Skill in effective verbal and written communication;

Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of an organization;

Skill in leadership and coordinating team operations;

Skill in presenting scientific data in verbal and written formats;

Skill in GPS field mapping systems;

Skill in GIS applications;

Skill in vegetation and fuel load sampling techniques;

Skill in ecological management techniques;

Skill in coordinating intra- and inter-agency incidents;

Skill in working on multiple projects with stringent timelines;

Skill in wildland fire management and planning;

Ability to manage and coordinate different program activities and accomplish program goals using independent judgement and initiative;

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;

Ability to work as a member of a team;

Ability to administer budgets, expenditures and contracts;

Ability to develop detailed inventories and manage procurement to maintain a state of readiness;

Ability to manage procurement for the assigned location in accordance with agency/division purchasing policies and directives;

Ability to manage and coordinate program goals in natural resource management and wildland fire management;

Ability to manage assigned team's schedule, work hours, and administrative needs;

Ability to clearly articulate program, division, and agency policies and procedures to field-based personnel;

Ability to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and other field staff to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives;

Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities;

Ability to lead and mentor fire skills in others;

Ability to work under stressful conditions;

Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;

Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Required to maintain the National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group arduous physical fitness level;

Regular workweek 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, may be required to work overtime as necessary;

Required to reside a distance that allows a maximum response time of 45 minutes to assigned work location;

Required to adjust to changing schedules;

Required to work any shift within a 24-hour period if necessary;

Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;

Required to stand for extended periods of time;

Required to operate a State vehicle;

Required to travel up to 35% with possible overnight stays;

Must be willing to reside in shared housing with other crewmembers;

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;

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

PLEASE NOTE

• Job title,
• Employer name,
• Dates of employment (month/year),
• If employment is less than full-time status, indicate part-time in the work history section or résumé, and
• Description of duties performed.
  NOTE: Volunteer experience may be counted toward required experience.

IMPORTANT

• College Transcripts: If education is used to meet the minimum qualifications, a copy of the college transcript(s) issued by the registrar must be provided at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted in the posting).
• 'N/A' may be entered in fields that are not applicable.
• Omission of required information may result in disqualification.

WIT applicants must complete the supplemental questions in the CAPPS Candidate Gateway to be considered.

• If you need assistance creating a résumé, please refer to the 'Create a Résumé' link for Job Seekers on the Work In Texas website .

If the required information and attachments are not submitted as noted above, your application will be considered incomplete.

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.

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.

*More information on military occupational specialty codes can be found below: