TPWD - Fish and Wildlife Technician I - II

About the role

This position performs routine (journey-level) fish and wildlife conservation work. It involves assisting in the collection, recording, and editing of fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data in the Matagorda Bay ecosystem. The role also includes operating equipment safely, maintaining gear, equipment, and facilities, and performing additional duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Collects, records, and edits fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data in the Matagorda Bay ecosystem.
• Operates equipment safely.
• Maintains gear, equipment, and facility.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Graduation from high school or GED.
• Experience: Fish and Wildlife Technician IA - No experience required. Fish and Wildlife Technician IB - Two years of relevant experience. Fish and Wildlife Technician II - Four years of relevant experience.
• Licenses: Must possess or be able to obtain, within thirty days of employment, a valid class "C" Texas driver's license and a Texas Boater Education Course or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Experience: Two years of relevant experience.
• Experience: Navigating vessels in shallow bay systems.
• Experience: Constructing, using, and maintaining specialized fisheries-sampling gears such as seines, nets, trawls, and oyster dredges.
• Licenses: Hold a U.S.C.G. issued Captain's License.

Skills

• Knowledge: Knowledge of Texas coastal ecosystems, marine organisms, and commercial and recreational fisheries.
• Skills: Skill in collecting and recording biological and environmental data and maintaining accurate records; skill in effective communication and in building and maintaining positive working relationships; skill in using computers and standard office software; skill in operating and maintaining boats, outboard motors, and trailers; skill in basic vehicle maintenance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Fish and Wildlife Technician I: Knowledge of common Texas marine organisms; knowledge of Texas commercial and recreational fisheries; knowledge of Texas coastal ecosystems; skill in effective verbal and written communication; skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts; skill in repair, maintenance, construction, and use of fisheries sampling gears such as seines, gill nets, trawls, dredges, and longlines; skill in the use of computers and MS Word, Excel and Outlook; skill in effective work habits, efficiently completing tasks, and following directions; skill in operating and maintaining boats, outboard motors and trailers; skill in collecting and recording data, and maintaining accurate records.
• Fish and Wildlife Technician II: Knowledge of Fish and Wildlife Technician I; plus knowledge of basic fishery management practices, conservation laws, and regulations; skill in managing several projects simultaneously; ability to function effectively as a member of a team; ability to interact effectively with the public; ability to learn to identify common marine organisms; ability to accurately follow instructions; ability to fully participate in field and water-based sampling activities.

Working Conditions

• Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturday, Sunday and holidays as needed.
• Required to travel with possible overnight stays.
• Required to work overtime as necessary.
• Required to perform work in water-based field activities, including work aboard seagoing vessels in the inshore bays and nearshore Gulf of America.
• Required to perform work outdoors in extreme temperatures and occasionally adverse weather conditions.
• Required to wade in water and deep mud, and walk over rough, uneven, and slippery surfaces or bay bottoms.
• Required to lift, push, and pull heavy objects.
• Must conform to agency work rules, safety program and dress and grooming standards.
• Non-smoking environment in all state buildings and vehicles.