Natural Resource Specialist Senior (Austin Parks and Recreation)

Job Description:

Natural Resource Specialist Senior (Austin Parks and Recreation)

Description

About This Position

Job Description:

Natural Resource Specialist Senior

Purpose:

Under minimal supervision and using advanced knowledge, this position develops, implements, and maintains approved natural resource management plans to restore and protect vital habitats for native flora and fauna for the City of Austin.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops, leads, and implements land management projects on various properties at remote locations.
  
• Leads and implements installation, maintenance, and repair of infrastructure and equipment such as vehicles, tractors, small engines, chainsaws, fences, gates, trails, signage, storage areas, and/or work sites.
  
• Leads volunteer and education events on various properties at remote locations.
  
• Monitors vegetation on natural lands with limited road access.
  
• Develops, implements, and approves budget expenditures.
  
• Writes management plans, approves management strategies, and establishes program policies and guidelines.
  
• Provides annual reports.
  
• Liaises and coordinates as needed with Federal, State, and City agencies, as well as conservation and environmental interest groups and the general public.
  
• Stays current on issues such as endangered species, habitat management, wildfire risk, and fuel mitigation.
  
• Plans, implements and participates in prescription burns and fuel mitigation.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership and lead cross-functional and departmental conservation project teams, work assignments, evaluation, training, and provide guidance to others.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of leadership techniques.
  
• Knowledge of functions and operation of interrelating departments, divisions, and agencies.
  
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory agency requirements and of ecological and conservation biology principles.
  
• Skill in identifying local native and non-native flora, and fauna.
  
• Skill in prescribed burning and fuel mitigation. survey techniques for plants, animals, and avian and karst species.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other agencies and City departments.
  
• Skill in anticipating and accurately predicting the results of alternate courses of actions.
  
• Skill in giving public presentations.
  
• Skill in the developing and implementing long-range plans.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software such as geographic information systems.
  
• Skill in formulating program objectives and prioritizing critical tasks accordingly.
  
• Skill in communicating both orally and in writing to professionals and the public.
  
• Ability to operate trucks, farm tractors, and other vehicles on the road and off the road, as required, to reach/implement projects.
  
• Ability to train and oversee the work of others.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the natural sciences, such as Wildlife Management, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Botany, Biology, or a related field, plus six (6) years of experience in a related area.
  
• Experience directly related to the job duties may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must hold a current pesticide applicators license under Texas Department of Agriculture or obtain license within six (6) months of employment.
  
• Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
  

Preferred Qualifications/Experience:

• Experience planning, conducting, and leading large-scale fuel mitigation or forest management operations.
  
• Experience serving in leadership roles on prescribed burns and/or wildfire response.
  
• Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment such as UTVs, tractors, trailers, chainsaws, and small engines; maintaining and repairing facilities such as fences, gates, signage, roads and trails, and work areas.
  
• Experience collecting and analyzing data about wildland fuel conditions and/or vegetation communities to guide land management decisions.
  
• Experience with desktop and mobile GIS applications for collecting field data, editing, and mapping.
  

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of forest/woodland vegetation and fire ecology as they pertain to central Texas ecosystems.
  
• Ability to maintain a schedule of physically demanding activities including hiking over rough terrain and in dense vegetation while carrying loads of up to 45 lbs.
  

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.
  

Notes to Candidate:

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

This Natural Resource Specialist Senior will work within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (APR) Land Management Program. The mission of the Program is to restore parkland natural areas to mitigate risk, improve resilience, and provide ecosystem services to Austin residents in perpetuity. The Program is responsible for implementing restoration activities across 10,000+ acres of parkland natural areas with the goals of improving climate resilience and reducing wildfire risk as well as operating the Austin Nature Preserve System.

The purpose of this Natural Resource Specialist Senior position is to lead the Land Management Program’s fuel mitigation operations by planning, coordinating, overseeing, and implementing large-scale land management activities on City of Austin parkland. This will include planning and overseeing fuel mitigation projects, assisting with the preparation and implementation of prescribed burns, and maintaining related facilities, infrastructure, and equipment. This will involve activities such as:

• Developing and implementing work plans in conjunction with other workgroups, City departments, and community organizations
  
• Scheduling and overseeing contractors
  
• Communicating with neighbors, community organizations, and City staff about land management activities
  
• Procuring services and equipment via spot purchases and contract solicitations
  
• Obtaining and maintaining at least a National Wildfire Coordinating Group Firefighter Type 1 certification.
  
• Collecting and analyzing data following environmental monitoring plans
  
• Maintaining and repairing facilities and equipment such as fences, gates, signage, work areas, UTVs, trailers, and small motorized equipment.
  

Application Instructions/Job Requirements:

• Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
  
• Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
  
• Virtual Interviews: APR may conduct virtual interviews.
  
• Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
  
• Driving Requirement: This position requires current possession of a Texas Class C Driver’s License or to have the ability to obtain by the hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
  
• Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds. Work environment includes inside, and outside environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and hazards associated with equipment operation including fumes, oils, gases, and mists. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.
  

Other Information:

• Posting Guidelines: APR reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
  
• Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
  
• Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: APR work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any APR work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.
  

Salary Range:

$65,390.00 - $81,740.00 per year.

Work Location:

400 Deep Eddy Avenue

Austin, Texas 78703

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  
• May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends and holidays.
  
• Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
  
• May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.
  

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-07-14