We are currently seeking a skilled and passionate Natural Resources Specialist to join our team to assist with projects that protect, conserve, and restore the ecological health of the Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) and other conservation lands. Under the general direction of the Environmental Project Manager, the position implements projects related to habitat restoration, land management, ecological monitoring, climate change resilience, soil and water conservation, and native plant propagation.

This position involves field work and provides extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Candidates for this position need to be self-motivated, able to work independently outdoors, off-trail and under extreme conditions; and possess an in-depth knowledge of plant/wildlife identification, restoration, and conservation.

This is the second in a series of three natural resources-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification is distinguished from other classifications by the computer knowledge required. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or a directly related field AND one (1) year of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management;

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 six (6) months of date of hire.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
ESRI ArcGIS ArcPro software and Field Maps App experience.
Wildland Firefighter Certification (S-190/S-130)
Experience using chainsaw or certification
Experience with habitat restoration techniques
Experience with native plant propagation techniques
Ecological knowledge and experience with rare and endemic flora and fauna of Central Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• Managing 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.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

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. May work some

holidays, some nights, some weekends

Location: Natural Resources Field Office (Nootsie)- 9512 FM 620 North

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Criminal background check, Driving, Education, and

Employment verification required.