Tpwd - Natural Resources Specialist I-Ii-Iii (Research Specialist)

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.
PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment (month/year) and hours worked per week, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete. Applications with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state ‘unknown’ for any incomplete fields. If education is used to meet the minimum requirements of the job posting, a copy of a college transcript(s) issued from the registrar must be provided if you are selected for an interview.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login. CAPPS Recruit, https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES can be found at http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

• 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

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE: If you choose to claim veteran’s employment preference including surviving spouse or orphan of a veteran as outlined by the State of Texas, you must attach a DD214 at the time your application is submitted. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please visit our Veteran’s Hiring Reference page at https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs/veterans/

BENEFITS:

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a variety of benefits for employees such as Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Paid Holiday time, Group Insurance, Retirement, and Training and Staff Development Opportunities. Other benefits include longevity pay, merit salary increases, deferred compensation, flexible benefits plans, a 401K retirement plan, direct deposit for paychecks, telework, staggered work hours, Employee Assistance Program and a Return to Work Program. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.

FOR NEW HIRES/REHIRES: Health insurance is available the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period.
TO APPLY: Application must be completed at: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
HIRING CONTACT: Joel Anderson, (361) 550-7383
PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: TPWD - Coastal Fisheries/Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station, 3864 FM 328, Palacios, TX 77465

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Perry R. Bass research team designs and implements research projects that support fisheries management and stock enhancement in Texas and the broader Gulf of Mexico. This position is unique within the TPWD Coastal Fisheries division, in that the focus is mainly research-oriented; we work as a team towards simultaneously supporting our agency's primary mission of conservation while also elevating the status of TPWD within Texas' broader coastal and marine research community.

Under the direction of the facility director and research team leader, this position is responsible for (journey-level) to (senior-level) natural resources work including coordinating, implementing and reporting on fisheries and aquaculture research in Texas coastal waters. The position is responsible for devising and conducting research projects related to all phases of fish biology including growth, reproduction and maturity, spawning, migration, population genetics, taxonomy, systematics, and environmental DNA analysis. The position will communicate and interact with the public, scientific community and agency peers to identify and design research projects that benefit fishery management, stock enhancement or other elements of marine resource conservation and management in Texas. Expected to work both independently, and as a member of a team, addressing the research needs of the Coastal Fisheries division. This includes involvement in all phases of research, including study design, data collection, data analysis, and writing. 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 OR higher degree in Fisheries Science, Mariculture, Marine Biology, Zoology, Biology, or closely related field.

Experience:

NRS I: No experience required;

NRS II: Two years relevant experience;

NRS III: Six years relevant experience;

Licensure:

If driving is required, applicant must possess a valid State driver’s license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a MS degree in a Fisheries Sciences or Marine Biology may be substituted for one year of required experience;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in Fisheries or Marine Biology may be substituted for two years of required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a MS or PhD in Fisheries Science, Mariculture, Marine Biology, Zoology, or closely related field.

Experience:

Experience with statistical analysis of large data sets, including parametric statistics, multivariate statistics, machine learning, Bayesian analysis, or related focus areas;

Experience with background publishing research in the peer-reviewed scientific literature in one of the following focus areas: fisheries statistics, stock assessment, otolith microchemistry, age and growth, aquaculture/stock enhancement, genetics, bioinformatics, environmental DNA, metagenomics/metabarcoding, or closely related focus areas.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Natural Resources Specialist I:

Knowledge of basic fisheries management concepts and techniques;

Knowledge of basic statistical concepts and analysis techniques;

Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures;

Knowledge of fisheries sampling methods;

Knowledge of marine organisms from the Gulf of Mexico;

Natural Resources Specialist II:

Knowledge of NRS I, PLUS:

Knowledge of age, growth, reproduction, physiology and genetics marine fishes;

Knowledge of basic migration and movement of GOM organisms during all life stages;

Knowledge of applications of the scientific method in fisheries research;

Knowledge of basic aquaculture techniques;

Natural Resources Specialist III:

Knowledge of NRS II, PLUS:

Knowledge of advanced aquaculture techniques;

Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis principles and how they apply to fisheries management;

Knowledge of all phases of marine fish life history including how fisheries management techniques can be applied at each phase;

Knowledge of ecosystem-based management of Texas coastal fisheries and ecosystems;

Knowledge of fisheries-related issues currently faced by the State of Texas;

Natural Resources Specialist I:

Skill in using MS Word, Excel and Outlook;

Skill in effective verbal and written communication;

Skill in managing several projects simultaneously;

Skill in meeting deadlines;

Skill in problem solving;

Skill in making independent, sound and timely decisions;

Skill in identifying, researching and compiling information;

Skill in general fish life history laboratory techniques such as fish ID, dissection, and sample preparation/preservation;

Skill in operating and maintaining basic laboratory equipment;

Skill in conducting field sampling of marine fishes using boats and standard fisheries sampling gear;

Natural Resources Specialist II:

Skill of NRS I, PLUS:

Skill in preparing technical scientific manuscripts and research papers;

Skill in implementing histological/physiological/biological study designs as directed;

Skill in conducting statistical analyses using software such as R, SAS, JMP, ArcMap or PRIMER;

Natural Resources Specialist III:

Skill of NRS II, PLUS:

Skill in operating and maintaining specialized laboratory equipment for image analysis, microscopy, histology, DNA sequencing and PCR

Skill in designing and building experimental aquaculture systems

Skill in instructing other employees in fisheries sampling techniques and marine fish identification;

Skill in applying the scientific method to answer technical questions related to fisheries management;

Skill in designing fish life history, physiology or aquaculture studies;

Natural Resources Specialist I:

Ability to communicate effectively with the public;

Ability to accurately follow instructions;

Ability to work under stressful conditions;

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

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;

Ability to work as a member of a team;

Ability to conduct detail-oriented tasks with efficiency and precision;

Ability to take on projects with minimal instruction;

Ability to quickly learn new technical skills;

Ability to perform manual labor including, lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;

Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety procedures;

Ability to work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment;

Natural Resources Specialist II:

Ability of NRS I, PLUS:

Ability to work under direct supervision to complete assigned tasks;

Ability to work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement;

Natural Resources Specialist III:

Ability of NRS II, PLUS:

Ability to supervise others on a limited basis, including assisting others with troubleshooting complex analytical problems;

Ability to work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturdays, Sundays and holidays;

Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather and/or difficult environmental conditions, extreme temperature and inclement weather;

Required to perform work in water-based field activities, including work aboard seagoing vessels, wading in water and deep mud, or over rough and uneven surfaces or bay bottom;

Required to perform manual labor, including lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.;

May be 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;

Non-smoking environment in all State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER