Natural Resources Specialist Sr.

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled and passionate Natural Resources Specialist Sr. to lead our black-capped vireo (BCVI) monitoring and management program. This role is central to the County’s efforts to conserve one of Central Texas’ signature songbirds through population monitoring, habitat management, research coordination, and adaptive conservation planning. The position combines extensive fieldwork, avian monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species management, data analysis, and program leadership while fostering collaboration with internal teams, researchers, regulatory agencies, landowners, and preserve partners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the BCVI monitoring program, including presence/absence surveys, territory mapping, nest monitoring, habitat assessments, and long-term population data collection.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate management strategies for BCVI habitat, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, recovery permits, and habitat conservation plans.
• Coordinate with avian biologists, regulatory agencies, researchers, and preserve partners to guide conservation priorities and implement best management practices.
• Manage and maintain ecological datasets, including GIS-based territory maps, survey records, nest monitoring data, and long-term population trends.
• Contribute to habitat restoration projects that improve BCVI breeding habitat through vegetation management, invasive species control, and adaptive land stewardship.
• Serve as the primary tract manager for assigned preserve properties by coordinating day-to-day land stewardship activities, conducting routine property inspections, maintaining infrastructure and boundary features, responding to constituent and partner inquiries, coordinating and overseeing contractors and maintenance projects, documenting management activities, and ensuring compliance with preserve management plans, conservation easements, and applicable regulations.
• Prepare technical reports, permit documentation, land management plans, and presentations for County leadership, partner agencies, and the public.
• Supervise, train, and mentor staff, seasonal technicians, interns, and volunteers conducting BCVI surveys and habitat management activities.
• Monitor environmental conditions, land-use changes, and emerging conservation issues affecting BCVI populations and provide science-based recommendations for adaptive management.
• Plan and conduct natural resources management, protection, and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County, including rare species population and habitat monitoring, directing problem species control programs, collecting baseline survey data on plant and animal species, coordinating habitat restoration for endangered species, implementing fuel reduction activities, and maintaining preserve infrastructure.
• Maintain applicable state and federal permits, as required.
• Supervise and evaluate staff job performance, coordinate and prioritize schedules and assignments, authorize staff productive and non-productive work hours, and train staff.
• Serve as subject-matter expert by advising elected and appointed officials, department heads, County staff, the general public, and other agencies and consultants on natural resources matters relevant to programs and projects.
• Perform as project manager for natural resources, land management, facilities management, and scientific research projects. Develop and implement projects, oversee work, and manage budget.
• Research and develop methodology to perform effective natural resources monitoring and management activities. Coordinate with other agencies or professionals conducting similar work.
• Manage, compile, analyze, and present field data in the form of geodatabases, technical written reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, and professional and public presentations.
• Evaluate data results with regard to impact on natural resources management.
• Conduct education and outreach to the general public. Provide information on natural resources protection and preserves. Disseminate information to landowners, managers, and other public agencies that use the preserves and parks as research sites.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, or a directly related field AND three (3) years of directly related, increasingly responsible demonstrated experience in natural resource management, and one (1) year of supervisory or management experience; 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.
• Pesticide Applicator License or must obtain license within one (1) year of date of hire.
• Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible experience in wildlife biology, avian ecology, or natural resources management, with emphasis on songbird monitoring, habitat management, or endangered species conservation.
• Knowledge of avian monitoring techniques, endangered species management, habitat conservation, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, organizational, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in rugged terrain under variable weather conditions, including extended hiking, while adhering to established safety protocols.
• Red Card S130/190 Certification.
• Avian banding experience.
• State or Federal species survey permits.
• Certified Wildlife Biologist.

Skills

• Standard theory, principles, practices, and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects.
• Conducting investigations, including data collection, analyzing, interpreting, and writing reports of results.
• 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.
• 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.
• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
• Ability to manage time well, perform and prioritize multiple tasks, organize diverse activities, and implement environmental research and projects.
• Ability to meet deadlines and produce projects in a timely manner while working on several projects at once.
• Ability to manage data in geodatabases.
• Ability to work as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Ability to use hand and power tools.
• Ability to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Ability to manage, plan, assign, motivate, train, evaluate, and supervise technical staff.
• Ability to 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. May be subject to contact with dangerous machinery, fumes, communicable/infectious disease, and hazardous chemicals.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: NREQ Field Office, 9512 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78726