Natural Resources Specialist

Job Summary This position is an integrated member of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Education and Outreach Team. The role and responsibility of this team is to develop programming and community engagement services that interpret the function and values of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and the Habitat Conservation Plan. Our goal is to ensure that community members feel connected to nature, are aware of the Preserve, understand its importance, and how their actions may benefit habitat and natural resource conservation. This position will work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and internal and external partners to recruit and lead volunteers for habitat restoration workdays, citizen science, and biological monitoring. Duties also include planning and leading guided hikes, supporting school outreach and programming, and participating in other educational and community engagement activities including night sky events, open houses, and educational seminars and workshops. Other responsibilities include supporting the Community Liaison to develop and deliver content (web-based resources, printed and in-person resources) for BCP neighbors and the community at-large. There will be opportunities to participate in biological monitoring and habitat restoration as time allows. This position will support the development of programming and volunteer engagement for our future Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Visitor Center (anticipated to open in 2028). The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, creative and flexible. They will have demonstrated experience with natural resource interpretation, volunteer coordination, as well as program development, delivery and evaluation. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the second in a series of three natural resources-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification is distinguished from other classifications by the computer knowledge required. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Duties and Responsibilities Plans and conducts natural resources management protection and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County, including monitoring and maintaining projects, conducting biological rare species monitoring, directing and implementing problem species control programs, collecting base line survey data on plant and animal species, coordinating habitat restoration for endangered species, and maintaining preserve infrastructure. Maintains applicable state and federal permits, as required. Provides technical geographic information system (GIS) mapping support for management. Creates and maintains GIS databases for land management activities. Maintains and updates maps. Researches and develops methods and protocols, or improves methods for natural resources management. Researches issues pertaining to natural resource protection and coordinates or works with other agencies or professionals to improve methods and project management for development and enforcement of statewide regulations. Manages, compiles, analyzes and presents field data in the form of public presentations, technical written reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, protocols and checklists for the general public. Evaluates data results with regard to impact on natural resources management. Conducts education and outreach to the general public. Provides public with in information on natural resources protection and preserves. Disseminates information to landowners, managers, and other public agencies that uses the preserves and parks as research sites. Coordinates, leads and trains parks staff and others in support of land management activities. Serves as an advisor and consultant for County parks and staff on a variety of natural resources issues. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or a directly related field AND one (1) year of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management; OR, Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Pesticide Applicator License or must obtain license within six (6) months of date of hire. Valid Texas Driver's License. Preferred: Spanish language skills (speaking and writing) GIS Experience facilitating professional development programs for educators. Experience working in museums, nature centers, or other cultural institutions. Experience working with a diverse audience and/or navigating different cultures and backgrounds respectfully. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects. Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines. Policies, practices, procedures and terminology related to land management protection. Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software applications, such as ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) hardware and software. Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation. Skill in: Using ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS). Using biological monitoring and censusing, and wildlife control equipment. Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language. Problem-solving and decision-making. Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: Manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, and implement environmental research and projects. Meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once. Managing data in geodatabases. Work as a team member within a diverse organization. Use hand and power tools. Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public. Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to driving, standing, walking/hiking (some rough terrain), good vision and hearing, sitting, repetitive motion, carrying, lifting, crouching/crawling, vision to monitor, pushing, reaching, and stooping, kneeling to perform the essential functions. May work in extreme temperature/weather change/conditions, and smoke on prescribed or wild fires. Maybe subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Location: NREQ Field Office-BCP Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc) Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions on this position, contact: View email address on click.appcast.io This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. Benefits Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment. FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees. Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits. Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction. Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit. Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family. Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction. Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs. Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year. Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $5