Description

Apply through the Texas Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).
Link to CAPPS posting: 
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/802/jobdetail.ftl?job=00054408&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

HIRING CONTACT: Laura Zebehazy, (512) 389-4638, Email: laura.zebehazy@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Ecological and Environmental Planning Program, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position supervises the Texas Natural Diversity Database (TXNDD) staff and establishes TXNDD team goals and objectives; develops team guidelines, procedures, and policies; develops schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving team goals; monitors and evaluates team activities; develops and evaluates budget requests; and coordinates team activities.

Under the direction of the Ecological & Environmental Planning Program (EEPP) Director, this position performs highly complex (senior-level) administrative and supervisory work.  Work involves establishing Texas Natural Diversity Database (TXNDD) team goals and objectives; developing team guidelines, procedures, and policies; developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving team goals; monitoring and evaluating team activities; developing and evaluating budget requests; and coordinating team activities. The TXNDD team is responsible for processing, managing, and distributing data for Texas Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) submitted from a variety of sources. The TXNDD team is also responsible for developing data products and analyses that can be distributed to supplement the primary observation information. Collaborates with the Environmental Review Team and the Landscape Ecology Program. Supervises the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.  Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division, and Program rules, regulations, and procedures. 

NOTE: At the time of submittal, all applications are required to include copies of college transcripts and a cover letter as attachments.

Requirements

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Experience:

Five years of experience managing Wildlife or Ecological data using geographic information systems, or a relational database.

Experience developing predictive species models.

Experience effectively leading and overseeing a team or workgroup in either a formal or informal capacity and /or experience that shows increasing use of initiative, independent judgement, and the ability to navigate complex tasks to reach favorable outcomes.

NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Licensure:       

Applicant must possess a valid State driver’s license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience managing Wildlife or Ecological data using geographic information systems or a relational database.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. in in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or closely related field may substitute for two years of the required experience managing Wildlife or Ecological data using geographic information systems or a relational database.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:      

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters degree or Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Experience:

Two years of experience as a professional biologist in a wildlife or ecological discipline collecting biological data in a field setting.

Five years of experience managing biological data using NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology and a Biotics database.

One year of experience developing species habitat suitability models using one or more of the commonly used algorithms (e.g., MaxEnt, Random Forest), including statistical evaluation of model results.

One year of experience as a supervisor or team leader with increasing use of initiative, independent judgement, and the ability to navigate complex tasks to reach favorable outcomes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the Texas Natural Diversity Database and NatureServe Natural Heritage Methodology.

Knowledge of the Texas Wildlife Action Plan and the State Wildlife Grant program.

Knowledge of Texas wildlife and plants (particularly nongame and rare species), ecology, ecosystem functions, and natural history and associated conservation and management issues or concerns.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of natural resource management.

Knowledge of database management, GIS analysis, and modeling techniques (particularly habitat suitability modeling).

Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in geospatial data, science, landscape modeling, and data delivery.

Knowledge of electronic field data collection techniques and platforms, including but not limited to Survey123, Field Maps, and Quick Capture.

Knowledge of leadership and team management concepts.

Knowledge of project management and training in time management and other associated topics.

Knowledge of administrative procedures like budgeting, program planning, and personnel evaluations.

Knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to natural resources.

Skill in leading, setting priorities, evaluating performance, and fostering professional development.

Skill in inspiring teams to accomplish goals.

Skill in developing and maintaining highly cooperative and collaborative relationships.

Skill in managing data in a variety of applications and developing data products to appropriately display complex data to the benefit of conservation goals.

Skill in implementing electronic field data collection solutions to standardize and expedite data submission and entry.

Skill in developing deductive and/or inductive habitat suitability models for a variety of taxa.

Skill in coordinating with members of the public, elected officials, advisory boards, media representatives, Department personnel, and other governmental agencies.

Skill in synthesizing complex information and data and communicating clearly to various audiences.

Skill in generating a variety of creative solutions to problems.

Skill in creating procedures and recognizing and improving inefficiencies.

Skill in meeting deadlines.

Skill in administrative and budget management.

Skill in training others.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Skill in technical writing.

Skill in generating creative solutions to problems.

Skill in recognizing and improving inefficiencies.

Skill in navigating evolving work priorities to ensure timely completion of tasks.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

Ability to supervise, mentor, and motivate staff while promoting teamwork and accountability.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to analyze systems and procedures and to explain abstract concepts in concrete terms.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and solve complex problems.

Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements.

Ability to recognize trends and position the team to capitalize on them while also managing routine workload.

Ability to effectively manage staff.

Ability to effectively achieve a shared goal or outcome while on a team.

Ability to lead.

Ability to work under stressful conditions.

Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities.

Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.

Ability to work effectively independently with little supervision.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Required to work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Required to work on holidays, weekends and hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as necessary.

Required to travel 25% with possible overnight stays.

Required to operate a State vehicle.

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

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

 TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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