TPWD - Natural Resources Specialist I - II - III - IV (Fisheries Research and Conservation Biologist)

Job Description:

TPWD - Natural Resources Specialist I - II - III - IV (Fisheries Research and Conservation Biologist)

Description

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.

EXCELLENT 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, 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. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.


PLEASE NOTE:

All applications must contain complete job histories in the WORK HISTORY SECTION to include

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  Job Title
  
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  Dates of employment (month/year)
  
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  Hours worked per week
  
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  Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor and Phone Number
  
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  Description of duties performed
  
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  Volunteer experience credit is counted toward any experience requirement. Please list those experiences to receive credit towards meeting the minimum requirements.
  
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  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.
  
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  Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields.
  
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  College Transcripts are required at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted on the posting) 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.
  
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  Applications with "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
  
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  Work In Texas (WIT) Applications : WIT applicants are required to complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, login to CAPPS Recruit .
  

IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT SUBMITTED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

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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

Natural Resources Specialist I-V

Space Force

No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.

*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:

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  Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
  
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  Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried- Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
  
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  Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty- Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
  
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  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.
  
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  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.



HIRING CONTACT: Nathan G. Smith, (830) 866-3356 nate.smith@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Inland Fisheries, Science and Policy. Intended office location is Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center, 5103 Junction Hwy., Mountain Home, TX 78058. Potential alternative work locations could include TPWD headquarters in Austin or AE Wood facility in San Marcos.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Successful applicant will work within a team environment conducting and facilitating research on and conservation of Texas fishes with an emphasis on filling data gaps for native Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that enable recovery and conservation actions.

Under the supervision of the Fisheries Research Scientist, the Fisheries Research and Conservation Biologist (NRS I-IV) performs natural resources work involving research and conservation. Works with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, to identify, develop, and conduct fisheries research that informs and advances science-based conservation and management of aquatic resources throughout Texas. Research responsibilities include contributing to the design, field and laboratory collection, and analyses of research data as well as the interpretation of results and dissemination of findings through presentations, reports, and scientific publication. Provides consultation on aquatic species conservation planning and delivery. Performs 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 Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Experience :

NRS I: None

NRS II: Two years of relevant experience.

NRS III: Six years of relevant experience.

NRS IV: Ten years of relevant experience.

Licensure :

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid class "C" Texas driver's license.

NOTE: Retention of position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS :

Experience (NRS II-IV Only) :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree in Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Experience :

Experience in conducting research or conservation work in one or more of the following areas: aquatic habitat, fishery management, aquatic species conservation, human dimensions, and invasive species.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

NRS I:

Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies concerning conservation of fish and wildlife resources and their habitat.

Knowledge of basic ecological principles.

Knowledge of flora and fauna of Texas including aquatic organisms and their ecosystems.

Knowledge of basic statistical analysis techniques.

NRS II:

Knowledge of NRS I plus:

Knowledge of fish biology, fisheries science, and principles of watershed ecology.

Knowledge of experimental design and implementation.

Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

NRS III:

Knowledge of NRS II plus:

Knowledge of threats to ecological integrity and appropriate management and policy approaches to address them.

NRS IV:

Knowledge of NRS III plus:

Knowledge of advanced data analysis techniques.

NRS I:

Skill in interacting and communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, on technical issues to various groups including TPWD staff, the public, and scientific audiences.

Skill in using computers and office software (word processing, spreadsheet, database and analytical software).

Skill in planning and preparing research proposals.

Skill in conducting surveys, investigative research, and studies; analyzing natural resources samples and in preparing concise reports.

Skill in GIS data collection and analysis.

Skill in basic statistical methods used for analyzing and interpreting natural resource data.

Skill in reviewing, interpreting, summarizing, and commenting on technical documents.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts.

NRS II:

Skills of NRS I plus:

Skill in managing several projects simultaneously.

Skill in developing original research questions and conducting research with application to fisheries resource management needs.

NRS III:

Skills of NRS II plus:

Skill in planning and preparing project budgets.

Skill in developing goals and objectives.

NRS IV:

Skills of NRS III plus:

Skill in developing, coordinating and implementing research and applied management projects from conceptualization to implementation of results.

Skill in planning, assigning and/or mentoring the work of less experienced staff.

Skill in advanced data analysis.

NRS I:

Ability to perform routine (journey-level) natural resources work.

Ability to conduct statistical analysis of natural resources data including preparation of technical reports and manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed, scientific journals.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Ability to assist in direction of technical staff.

Ability to review, interpret, summarize, and comment on technical documents.

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

Ability to work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

NRS II:

Abilities of NRS I plus:

Ability to perform complex (journey-level) natural resources work.

Ability to plan fieldwork, including habitat assessments and measuring ecological outcomes.

Ability to work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

NRS III:

Abilities of NRS II plus:

Ability to perform highly complex (senior-level) natural resources work.

Ability to communicate and constructively interact with state, federal and private resource and conservation organizations, academic institutions, and the public regarding department programs and activities.

Ability to work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Ability to coordinate and/or perform data collection, research, analysis, evaluations, inspections, or surveys, and evaluate impact on natural resources.

NRS IV:

Abilities of NRS III plus:

Ability to perform advanced (senior-level) natural resources work;

Ability to work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Ability to assist with administrative duties.

Ability to oversee and/or perform data collection, research, analysis, evaluations, inspections, or surveys, and evaluate impact on natural resources.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturday, Sundays, and holidays.

Required to work overtime if necessary.

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

Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules, and safety procedures.

Required to travel up to 25% with possible overnight stays.

Required to operate a State vehicle.

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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Closing Date: Nov 25, 2025, 11:59:00 PM