Natural Resource Specialist Senior (Austin Parks and Recreation)

City of Austin

3d•$65,390 - $81,740•Onsite

About The Position

Under minimal supervision and using advanced knowledge, this position develops, implements, and maintains approved natural resource management plans to restore and protect vital habitats for native flora and fauna for the City of Austin. The mission of the Program is to restore parkland natural areas to mitigate risk, improve resilience, and provide ecosystem services to Austin residents in perpetuity. The Program is responsible for implementing restoration activities across 10,000+ acres of parkland natural areas with the goals of improving climate resilience and reducing wildfire risk as well as operating the Austin Nature Preserve System. The purpose of this Natural Resource Specialist Senior position is to lead the Land Management Program’s fuel mitigation operations by planning, coordinating, overseeing, and implementing large-scale land management activities on City of Austin parkland. This will include planning and overseeing fuel mitigation projects, assisting with the preparation and implementation of prescribed burns, and maintaining related facilities, infrastructure, and equipment.

Requirements

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the natural sciences, such as Wildlife Management, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Botany, Biology, or a related field, plus six (6) years of experience in a related area.
Experience directly related to the job duties may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.
Must hold a current pesticide applicators license under Texas Department of Agriculture or obtain license within six (6) months of employment.
Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
Knowledge of leadership techniques.
Knowledge of functions and operation of interrelating departments, divisions, and agencies.
Knowledge of applicable regulatory agency requirements and of ecological and conservation biology principles.
Skill in identifying local native and non-native flora, and fauna.
Skill in prescribed burning and fuel mitigation.
Skill in survey techniques for plants, animals, and avian and karst species.
Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other agencies and City departments.
Skill in anticipating and accurately predicting the results of alternate courses of actions.
Skill in giving public presentations.
Skill in the developing and implementing long-range plans.
Skill in using computers and related software such as geographic information systems.
Skill in formulating program objectives and prioritizing critical tasks accordingly.
Skill in communicating both orally and in writing to professionals and the public.
Ability to operate trucks, farm tractors, and other vehicles on the road and off the road, as required, to reach/implement projects.
Ability to train and oversee the work of others.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.
A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting – up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation.
Employment Record dates must include month and year.
Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
Virtual interviews may be conducted.
An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
This position requires current possession of a Texas Class C Driver’s License or to have the ability to obtain by the hire date.
External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite.
To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists.
Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience planning, conducting, and leading large-scale fuel mitigation or forest management operations.
Experience serving in leadership roles on prescribed burns and/or wildfire response.
Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment such as UTVs, tractors, trailers, chainsaws, and small engines; maintaining and repairing facilities such as fences, gates, signage, roads and trails, and work areas.
Experience collecting and analyzing data about wildland fuel conditions and/or vegetation communities to guide land management decisions.
Experience with desktop and mobile GIS applications for collecting field data, editing, and mapping.
Knowledge of forest/woodland vegetation and fire ecology as they pertain to central Texas ecosystems.
Ability to maintain a schedule of physically demanding activities including hiking over rough terrain and in dense vegetation while carrying loads of up to 45 lbs.

Responsibilities

Develops, leads, and implements land management projects on various properties at remote locations.
Leads and implements installation, maintenance, and repair of infrastructure and equipment such as vehicles, tractors, small engines, chainsaws, fences, gates, trails, signage, storage areas, and/or work sites.
Leads volunteer and education events on various properties at remote locations.
Monitors vegetation on natural lands with limited road access.
Develops, implements, and approves budget expenditures.
Writes management plans, approves management strategies, and establishes program policies and guidelines.
Provides annual reports.
Liaises and coordinates as needed with Federal, State, and City agencies, as well as conservation and environmental interest groups and the general public.
Stays current on issues such as endangered species, habitat management, wildfire risk, and fuel mitigation.
Plans, implements and participates in prescription burns and fuel mitigation.
May provide leadership and lead cross-functional and departmental conservation project teams, work assignments, evaluation, training, and provide guidance to others.
Develops and implements work plans in conjunction with other workgroups, City departments, and community organizations.
Schedules and oversees contractors.
Communicates with neighbors, community organizations, and City staff about land management activities.
Procures services and equipment via spot purchases and contract solicitations.
Obtains and maintains at least a National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighter Type 1 certification.
Collects and analyzes data following environmental monitoring plans.
Maintains and repairs facilities and equipment such as fences, gates, signage, work areas, UTVs, trailers, and small motorized equipment.