Manager Fire Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Program Director for Private Lands and Public Hunting, the Wildlife Division Fire Program Leader performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work and is responsible for overall direction and coordination of fire management activities in the Wildlife Division. Responsible for coordinating with interagency fire management organizations and ensuring that fire management and training programs in the Wildlife Division meet national and state regulatory and accountability standards. Assists field staff with prescribed fire planning, preparation, and implementation activities on state-owned/managed and private lands. Provides review/oversight of fire related Incident reports and is responsible for implementing National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified prescribed fire operations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and assisting with prescribed fire implementation on private lands. Works with regional coordinators in managing budgets for fire equipment, training, and supplies, and in maintaining databases on staff qualifications and certifications, wildfire and prescribed fire events, and fire equipment needs and replacement schedules. Works with managers and project leaders to mentor, evaluate, and certify Division staff. Promotes and assists project leaders and field staff in establishing and achieving fire management goals and developing training and experience opportunities to advance staff qualifications. Serves as the Wildlife Division representative for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Incident Command as needed for all disaster declarations and emergency responses pertaining to TPWD personnel and property. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division, and Branch rules, regulations, and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Natural Resources Management, Agriculture, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Fire Ecology or closely related field.
• Experience: Five years experience in natural resources management, conservation science, fire management, fire ecology or closely related field. Five years experience writing, reviewing, and critiquing prescribed burn unit plans and area fire management plans.
• Licensure: Must possess, or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid state driver's license. Must possess a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type II Burn Boss (RXB2). Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, a Texas Prescribed Burn Board Lead Instructor certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: Experience developing land management objectives. Experience in implementing fire management activities in Texas fuel models and vegetation types. Experience in resource and habitat management. Experience with GPS data collection and processing and using GIS applications. Experience using or prescribing land management tools such as prescribed fire, selective thinning, grazing etc. Experience utilizing permanent vegetation plots and monitoring procedures. Experience building partnerships and maintaining working relationships with NWCG partner agencies and organizations. Experience with sound, science-based decision making as it relates to fire and natural resources management. Experience in NWCG training and curriculum design. Experience communicating effectively with the public and/or media.
• Licensure: Certification as a Texas Prescribed Burn Board Lead Instructor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of NWCG standards, guidelines and training requirements.
• Knowledge of community based natural resource management and research techniques and methodologies.
• Knowledge of technical report writing and photographic skills.
• Knowledge of microcomputer systems and use of computerized databases.
• Knowledge of wildland fire behavior and fire management planning.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in fire management, land management, grazing management, and natural resource conservation.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
• Knowledge of fire effects and fire behavior in local fuel types.
• Knowledge of fire ecology in vegetative communities of Texas.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other State agencies and organizations.
• Skill in presenting scientific data verbally and in written formats.
• Skill in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Skill in GPS field mapping systems.
• Skill in GIS applications.
• Skill in vegetation and fuel load sampling techniques.
• Skill in coordinating intra- and inter-agency incidents.
• Skill in working on multiple projects with stringent timelines.
• Skill in Wildland fire management and planning.
• Ability to manage and coordinate program activities and accomplish program goals using independent judgement and initiative.
• Ability to administer budgets, expenditures and contracts.
• Ability to manage and coordinate program goals in natural resource management and wildland fire management.
• Ability to develop sound policies based on Division goals and clearly articulate these policies to field based personnel.
• Ability to communicate and work closely with burn bosses, land managers and other field staff to develop strategies and meet conservation and fire management objectives.
• Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Ability to mentor fire skills in others, including leadership.
• Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.
• Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 75 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Required to work from 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 perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 75 lbs.
• Required to travel 30% with possible overnight stays
• Required to operate a State vehicle. Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicle.

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.