TPWD - Park Ranger I (Park Interpreter)

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.

  
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.

PLEASE NOTE: 

All applications must contain complete job histories in the WORK HISTORY SECTION to include:

• Job Title

• Dates of employment (month/year)

• Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor Description of duties performed

• Volunteer experience credit is counted toward any experience requirement.  Please list those experiences to receive credit towards meeting the minimum requirements. 

• Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state ‘unknown’ for any incomplete fields.

• College Transcripts are required at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted on the posting) 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 with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

• Resumes are encouraged as attachments but will not be used to determine eligibility

• Work In Texas (WIT) Applications: WIT applicants are required to complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, login to CAPPS Recruit.

IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT SUBMITTED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Job Classification

Service

Military Specialty

Park Ranger I-V

Army

11B, 11C, 11A

Park Ranger I-V

Navy

RS, SN, YN, YNS

Park Ranger I-V

Coast Guard

MST, MSSR

Park Ranger I-V

Marine Corps

0300, 0365, 0369

Park Ranger I-V

Air Force

9T000

Park Ranger I-V

Space Force

No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.

*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

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.

HIRING CONTACT: John “JD” Miller, (940) 839-4331, john.miller@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Copper Breaks State Park, 777 Park Road 62, Quanah, Tx 79252

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Park Superintendent, this position performs routine (journey-level) state park operations work including the overall operations and management of interpretive, outreach, and volunteer programs, as well as assisting with the oversight and management of the natural and cultural resources at Copper Breaks State Park.  Duties include performing as a productive and contributing member of the Copper Breaks State Park work team.  Establishes neighbor and community relations, researches, develops, and implements interpretive programs, exhibits, tours, and outreach functions based on the interpretive purposes of the site and agency mission.  Conducts site promotion and marketing, assists with special event coordination, volunteer recruitment, preparation of assigned reports, training of volunteers and assisting in other areas of the park.  Assists with maintenance and operation of buildings, facilities, and equipment.  Operates all types of equipment such as trucks, tractors, mowers, hand tools and power tools.  Provides quality customer service, issues permits, collects revenue, and provides information.  Assists in enforcing park rules and regulations.  Works under moderate 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:

No experience required.

Licensure:       

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid State driver’s license.

NOTE: Retention of position is contingent on obtaining and maintaining required licenses.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Education:

One year of experience in interpretation or conducting educational programs may substitute for 30 hours of the required education, with a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:      

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: Park Administration, Recreation & Parks, Wildlife/Fisheries, Natural and/or Cultural Resource Conservation, Range Management, Forestry, Biology Anthropology/Archaeology, History or closely related fields.

Experience:

Experience in Natural and/or Cultural resource management.

Experience in Park Interpretation and Education.

Experience in facility, equipment, and grounds maintenance/repairs.

Experience in public speaking.

Experience in customer service and/or public outreach.

Experience in coordinating the work of volunteers.

Licensure:

Current National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Firefighter Type II or Type III (FFTII or FFTIII) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of natural resource management, research techniques, and methodologies.

Knowledge of species identification, field ecology, and natural history.

Knowledge of interpretive programing.

Knowledge of native plant communities and natural landscapes.

Knowledge of standard interpretation techniques.

Knowledge of facility, equipment and ground maintenance repairs and techniques.

Knowledge of accounting/accountability of revenue collection.

Knowledge of the principles of park administration.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of natural and cultural resource management.

Knowledge of standard financial and business management principles.

Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Skill in training others.

Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner.

Skill in using hand and power tools, mowers, trimmers, chain saws, tractors, vehicles, generators and other mechanical equipment.

Skill in making independent, sound and timely decisions.

Skill in interpretive program research and development.

Skill in volunteer management.

Skill in developing relationships and partnerships with volunteers, groups, external organizations.

Skill in planning, assigning and/or supervising the work of volunteers.

Skill in developing goals and objectives.

Skill in managing several projects simultaneously.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers, work-related contacts and staff at all levels of the department and other State, Government agencies and other organizations.

Skill in facilitating meetings.

Skill in making public presentations.

Ability to create and maintain partnerships with other nature-related organizations.

Ability to develop marketing and promotional activities and special events.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks to grounds, facilities, vehicles and equipment.

Ability to work under stressful conditions.

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

Ability to accurately handle cash and account for revenue collected.

Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to communicate effectively.

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 40 hours per week, with hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and days off other than Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

May be required to work in non-climate-controlled buildings.

Required to respond to emergencies and on-call situations.

Required to work in a public park with overnight camping.

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.

May be required to operate a State vehicle.

Required to travel 20% with possible overnight stays.

Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures.

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER