Natural Resources Specialist Senior

Full Job Description

At Travis County Natural Resources, we are committed to preserving biodiversity and protecting the unique ecosystems of the Austin area.

Our work focuses on ensuring the long-term conservation of rare and endangered species and maintaining the ecological integrity of Travis County-owned lands.We are currently seeking a skilled and self-motivated Natural Resources Specialist Senior to lead our karst monitoring and management program.

This role is central to the County’s efforts to protect sensitive cave ecosystems and groundwater-dependent habitats that support federally listed species.

Work includes surface and subterranean restoration, invasive species management, rare invertebrate monitoring, data analysis, and program leadership, while fostering collaboration with internal teams, researchers, regulatory agencies, and preserve partners.In addition to serving as karst lead, this position will serve as a land steward for certain Balcones Canyonlands Preserve tracts and will assist on a variety of wildlife monitoring and land management activities throughout the preserve.

This position offers a nice balance of field work, in-office, and teleworking opportunities.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the second in a series of four natural resources-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family.

This classification is distinguished from lower classifications by having supervisory responsibilities and a higher level of project complexity.

This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Plans and conducts natural resources management protection and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County, including conducting rare species population and habitat monitoring, directing and implementing problem species control programs, collecting base line survey data on plant and animal species, coordinating habitat restoration for endangered species, implementing fuel reduction activities, and maintaining preserve infrastructure.

Maintains applicable state and federal permits, as required.

Supervises and evaluates staff job performance, coordinates and prioritizes schedules and assignments, authorizes staff productive and non-productive work hours, and trains staff.

Serves as subject-matter expert by advising Elected and Appointed Officials, department heads, County staff, general public and other agencies, and consultants on natural resources matters relevant to programs and projects.

Performs as project manager for natural resources, land management, facilities management, and scientific research projects. Develops and implements projects, oversees work, and manages budget.

Researches and develops methodology to perform effective natural resources monitoring and management activities. Coordinates with other agencies or professionals conducting similar work.

Manages, compiles, analyzes and presents field data in the form of geodatabases, technical written reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, and professional and public presentations. Evaluates data results with regard to impact on natural resources management.

Conducts education and outreach to the general public. Provides public with 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.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or a directly related field AND three (3) years of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management, and one (1) year of supervisory or management experience;
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:
Pesticide Applicator License or must obtain license within one (1) year of date of hire.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
Wildland Firefighter Certification (Red card)
Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB)
State and/or Federal Scientific Research Permits
ArcPro GIS experience
Lidar analysis experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects.
• Conducting investigations, including data collection, analyzing, interpreting and writing a report of results.
• 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.

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.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.

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.
• Manage 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.
• Manage, plan, assign, motivate, train, evaluate and supervise technical staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Additional Information

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.

Location: NREQ Field Office - BCP

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

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

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Sylvia.Villanueva@traviscountytx.gov

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.