Natural Resources Specialist

Travis County•11920 Wilson Parke Avenue, TX

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Natural Resources Specialist supports biodiversity conservation and natural resource management on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and other Travis County-managed lands. The role focuses on general maintenance and land management, including coordinating and performing fleet, facility, and equipment maintenance; invasive plant control; habitat management; boundary inspections; road and trail maintenance; wildfire fuel reduction; and grounds keeping. The specialist regularly leads staff workdays and may assist with wildlife management activities such as feral hog management, cowbird trapping, fire ant control, deer management, and endangered species monitoring. The position plans and conducts natural resources protection and enhancement projects, monitors and maintains projects, collects biological and baseline survey data, supports habitat restoration for endangered species, directs problem-species control, and maintains preserve infrastructure and applicable permits. It also provides GIS mapping support, maintains GIS databases and maps, researches and improves management methods and protocols, and compiles, analyzes, and presents field data through reports, plans, protocols, checklists, and public presentations. The specialist conducts public education and outreach, shares information with landowners, managers, agencies, and preserve users, and coordinates, leads, and trains parks staff and others in land management activities. The role advises County parks and staff on natural resources issues and performs other job-related duties as assigned. The position may require a flexible schedule to meet department needs. Regular hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, at 11920 Wilson Parke Avenue. Criminal, driving, education, and employment background checks are required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, or a directly related field, plus one year of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job duties.
Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain the license within six months of hire.
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Knowledge of standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques for land management protection and enhancement projects.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, procedures, and terminology related to land management protection.
Computer knowledge, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and software applications such as ArcView GIS hardware and software.
Knowledge of business letter writing, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.
Skill using ArcView GIS, biological monitoring and censusing methods, and wildlife control equipment.
Ability to explain technical problems in simple, non-technical language; solve problems and make decisions; and communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to manage time, prioritize and organize multiple tasks and activities, implement environmental research and projects, and meet deadlines.
Ability to manage data in geodatabases.
Ability to work as a team member in a diverse organization and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, outside agencies, and the public.
Ability to use hand and power tools and to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare memorandums or reports.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including occasional lifting or carrying of 20–50 pounds and performing the listed field and office activities.
Ability to work in extreme temperatures or changing weather conditions and smoke from prescribed or wild fires; potential exposure to dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable or infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.
Ability to be assigned to business continuity efforts outside normal job functions.

Nice To Haves

Wildland Firefighter Certification (Red Card Certification).
Geographic Information System (GIS) and ArcGIS software experience.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct natural resources management, protection, and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County.
Monitor and maintain projects; conduct biological rare-species monitoring; collect baseline plant and animal survey data; direct and implement problem-species control; coordinate endangered-species habitat restoration; and maintain preserve infrastructure.
Maintain applicable state and federal permits as required.
Provide technical GIS mapping support; create and maintain GIS databases for land management activities; and maintain and update maps.
Research and develop or improve natural resource management methods and protocols.
Research natural resource protection issues and coordinate or work with agencies and professionals to improve methods, project management, and enforcement of statewide regulations.
Compile, analyze, and present field data through public presentations, technical reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, protocols, and checklists; evaluate results for their impact on natural resource management.
Conduct public education and outreach and provide information about natural resource protection and preserves.
Disseminate information to landowners, managers, and public agencies using preserves and parks as research sites.
Coordinate, lead, and train parks staff and others in support of land management activities.
Advise and consult County parks and staff on natural resources issues.
Coordinate and perform fleet, facility, and equipment maintenance and land management work, including invasive plant control, habitat management, boundary inspections, road and trail maintenance, wildfire fuel reduction, and grounds keeping.
Regularly lead staff workdays.
Assist with wildlife management activities, potentially including feral hog management, cowbird trapping, fire ant control, deer management, and endangered species monitoring.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.