TPWD - Program Specialist VI (Wildlife Division Fire Program Leader)

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: Kevin Mote, (512) 217-2779, Email: kevin.mote@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: TBD - Multiple possible duty stations statewide.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

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.

NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.

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.

NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required licenses and certifications.

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.

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 full-time status, indicate part-time 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 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. 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 active-duty 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

Closing Date/Time: 2026-07-31

Texas Parks and Wildlife

(512) 389-4545 Show more