Park Ranger Assistant Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Job 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.
HIRING CONTACT: Jason Castle, 2812027594, Email Address: jason.castle@tpwd.texas.gov
PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762 RD, Needville, TX 77461
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Park Superintendent, this position performs complex (journeylevel) state park operations work. Responsible for monitoring, managing, and restoring the natural and cultural resources of Brazos Bend State Park. This position also works closely with regional staff to assist at other parks throughout the region. Responsibilities include sustaining and supporting wildlife and plant communities and addressing problems associated with the management of natural resources at the park. Plans and carries out various assignments of natural resource management which may include herbicide application in the park's prairie and wetland areas, shredding prairies, manual removal of trees, and controlling invasive species. Assists with conducting prescribed burns and is responsible for sensitive site management and feral animal control. Assists with the coordination of all natural and cultural resource clearances for projects and monitors cultural sites around the park. Assists with the development of comprehensive Natural and Cultural Resource Management Plans for the park. Assists with interpretative programming and large school groups, park promotion, marketing, volunteer recruitment, preparation of assigned reports, training of staff and volunteers. Maintains adjacent landowner relationships and coordinates academia research permits. Performs routine park maintenance, issues permits, collects revenue, registers visitors, and provides information to park guests and visitors. Works under general supervision, with limited 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 degree.
Experience:
Two years of experience in natural/cultural resource management.
Licensure:
Must possess a valid state driver's license.
Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, the National Wildfire Coordinator Group's (NWCG) Fire Fighter Type II certification.
Must possess or be able to obtain, within one year of employment, a NonCommercial Political Pesticide/Herbicide Applicators license issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license and certification.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to pass, within one year of employment, the FFTII moderate duty physical fitness standard (walk 2 miles with 25 lb. pack in 30 minutes or less).
NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon meeting and maintaining physical requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife/Fisheries Science, Natural and/or Cultural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Biology, Biology, Park Administration, or Recreation and Parks.
Experience:
Experience working with the public.
Conducting interpretive activities and professional audience presentations; in a language other than English in one or more critical languages including, but not limited to: Urdu, Japanese, Spanish, Persian, Hindi, Arabic, Korean, Russian, Chinese, Punjabi, Swahili, Portuguese, or Turkish.
Licensure:
Current Pesticide Applicator license issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Current Wildland Fire Fighter certification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of Resource management techniques and principles.
Knowledge of techniques and principles of managing invasive plants and animals.
Knowledge of interpretative techniques and principles.
Knowledge of volunteer program oversight and management.
Knowledge of basic plumbing, carpentry, electrical, masonry, janitorial and mechanical maintenance and repair tasks.
Knowledge of prescribed fire operations and techniques.
Knowledge of standard financial and business management principles.
Skill in using MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner.
Skill in using hand and power tools, mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, tractors, vehicles and other mechanical equipment.
Skill in conducting interpretive activities and professional audience presentations.
Skill in identifying and managing invasive plants and animals.
Skill in leading groups conducting.
Skill in making independent, sound and timely decisions.
Skill in training others.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with coworkers and workrelated contacts.
Ability to keep detailed herbicide application records required by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Ability to use GPS/GIS equipment and software.
Ability to plan and conduct natural resource surveys and inventories, compile study data, and prepare reports.
Ability to develop a sound management program for the park's natural and cultural resources.
Ability to effectively and properly present resource management topics to staff, volunteers and the general public.
Ability to monitor cultural resource sites.
Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities.
Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with the agency employee safety program.
Ability to prepare and complete various daily, weekly, quarterly, annual, and special reports.
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
Ability to work as a member of a team.
Ability to follow park rules and regulations.
Ability to coordinate the work of staff and volunteers.
Ability to uniformly and consistently interpret and help enforce state and federal safety laws and park rules and regulations.
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.
Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Required to work in a public park with overnight camping and day use.
Required to work 40 hours per week, includes various schedules with hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and days off other than Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Required to respond to emergencies with little to no notice.
Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
Required to work in and around natural outdoor pests, such as insects, animals, and poisonous plants.
Required to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.
Required to operate a State vehicle.
Required to travel 10% with possible overnight stays.
Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures.
Nonsmoking, nontobacco, and nonvaping environment in State buildings and vehicles.
PLEASE NOTE:
All applications must include complete job history information for each period of employment, provided either in the WORK HISTORY SECTION or in the attached RÉSUMÉ. Please ensure each entry includes:

• Job title,
• Employer name,
• Dates of employment (month/year),
• If employment is less than fulltime status, indicate parttime in the work history section or résumé, and
• Description of duties performed.
  NOTE: Volunteer experience may be counted toward required experience.

IMPORTANT:

• College Transcripts: If education is used to meet the minimum qualifications, a copy of the college transcript(s) issued by the registrar must be provided at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted in the posting).
• `N/A' may be entered in fields that are not applicable.
• Omission of required information may result in disqualification.

Work In Texas (WIT) Applicants:

• WIT applicants must complete the supplemental questions in the CAPPS Candidate Gateway to be considered.
• To complete these questions, log in to CAPPS Candidate Gateway .
• If you need assistance creating a résumé, please refer to the `Create a Résumé' link for Job Seekers on the Work In Texas website .

If the required information and attachments are not submitted as noted above, your application will be considered incomplete.
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 ReturntoWork Program. For new employees or rehires, health insurance is available on the 1st of the following month after a 60day waiting period. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.
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:
Veteran DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
Spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on Active Duty Marriage Certificate and copy of spouses activeduty military orders.
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.
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
TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER