Natural Resources Specialist Sr.

At Travis County Natural Resources, we are committed to preserving biodiversity and protecting the unique ecosystems of Travis County. Our work focuses on ensuring the long-term conservation of rare and endangered species while maintaining the ecological integrity of Travis County-owned lands.

We are currently 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.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• 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.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the second in a series of four natural resources-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification is distinguished from lower classifications by having supervisory responsibilities and a higher level of project complexity. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Plans and conducts natural resources management protection and enhancement projects on lands owned or managed by Travis County, including conducting rare species population and habitat monitoring, directing and implementing problem species control programs, collecting base line survey data on plant and animal species, coordinating habitat restoration for endangered species, implementing fuel reduction activities, and maintaining preserve infrastructure. Maintains applicable state and federal permits, as required.
• Supervises and evaluates staff job performance, coordinates and prioritizes schedules and assignments, authorizes staff productive and non-productive work hours, and trains staff.
• Serves as subject-matter expert by advising Elected and Appointed Officials, department heads, County staff, general public and other agencies, and consultants on natural resources matters relevant to programs and projects.
• Performs as project manager for natural resources, land management, facilities management, and scientific research projects.   Develops and implements projects, oversees work, and manages budget.
• Researches and develops methodology to perform effective natural resources monitoring and management activities.  Coordinates with other agencies or professionals conducting similar work.
• Manages, compiles, analyzes and presents field data in the form of geodatabases, technical written reports, special materials, annual reports, land management plans, and professional and public presentations. Evaluates data results with regard to impact on natural resources management.
• Conducts education and outreach to the general public. Provides public with 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.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
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.
 
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Pesticide Applicator License or must obtain license within one (1) year of date of hire.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 
Knowledge of:

• Standard theory, principles, practices and techniques of land management protection and enhancement projects.
• Conducting investigations, including data collection, analyzing, interpreting and writing a report 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.

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.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.

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.
• Manage 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.
• Manage, plan, assign, motivate, train, evaluate and supervise technical staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

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

Department: Transportation & Natural Resources

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

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. 

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Victoria Besa at [email protected]. 

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.