TPWD – Research Specialist II – III – IV (Wildlife Data Analyst)

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.

PLEASE NOTE:

All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment (month/year) and hours worked per week, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed.

Job history and volunteer experience should be listed in the work history section of the application to receive credit towards meeting the minimum requirements. Part-time experience credit is prorated based on the duration and hours worked per week. Please indicate hours worked for part-time/temporary/seasonal experience. If this information is not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete.

Applications with "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields. 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.

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APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login. CAPPS Recruit, https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Job Classification

Service

Military Specialty

Research Specialist I-V

Army

35F, 38A, 49A

Research Specialist I-V

Navy

IS, 683X, 783X

Research Specialist I-V

Coast Guard

IS, ISS, OSS

Research Specialist I-V

Marine Corps

0231, 0531, 4591, 4505, 8051, 8825, 8850

Research Specialist I-V

Air Force

15AX

*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 complete the Military Employment Preference Survey and attach this form and required documentation referenced on this form 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. 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.

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, telework, staggered work hours, Employee Assistance Program and a Return to Work Program. For new employees or rehires, health insurance is available the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. Click HERE to view our Benefits page.

HIRING CONTACT: Nathan Kuhn, (512) 389-8024

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Position will be located either at TPWD Austin Headquarters: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 - OR - TPWD Tyler Nature Center/Regional Office Complex: 11942 FM 848, Tyler, TX 75707

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Under the direction of the Research and Technical Programs Coordinator, this position is responsible for conducting, analyzing, and reporting on existing Wildlife Division harvest and hunter/permit holder public surveys (mail and electronic). As requested, position is also responsible for conducting other, one-time, public surveys including their design, analysis, and reports. Position is responsible for managing data entry into, maintenance, and querying of existing survey and license databases and possibly creating new databases as needed. Position is responsible for exploring and/or collaborating on and implementing changes to surveys/survey methodologies currently under development/investigation by Wildlife Division. Position also supports, maintains, and enhances a custom Delphi client-server database system used to manage several permits issued by the Wildlife Division. As requested, position provides technical support to Wildlife Division program and field staff for experimental design and statistical analysis of their data. Position may review research proposals for statistical validity and study design. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations, and procedures.

NOTE : Position will be for a period of 3 years from start date, with possibility of extension for 1 to 2 additional years depending on business need.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Science, Statistics or Computer Science.

Experience :

RS II: Two years of relevant professional experience performing statistical analysis/experimental design, conducting various wildlife-related mail/electronic public surveys, and developing software applications using object-oriented programming languages;

RS III: Six years of relevant professional experience performing statistical analysis/experimental design, conducting various wildlife-related mail/electronic public surveys, and developing software applications using object-oriented programming languages;

RS IV: Seven years of relevant professional experience performing statistical analysis/experimental design, conducting various wildlife-related mail/electronic public surveys, and developing software applications using object-oriented programming languages.

Licensure :

If driving is required, applicant must possess a valid Texas driver's license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS :

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Ph.D. degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or Ph.D. in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, or closely related field, with extensive training in statistical theories, techniques and applications;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or Ph.D. in Statistics or Computer Science, with substantial training in Wildlife Sciences.

Experience :

Five or more years' experience performing statistical analysis using SAS and/or R, conducting various wildlife-related electronic/mail-out surveys, developing experimental designs, performing modeling and conducting power analyses for wildlife research projects;

Five or more years' experience designing, maintaining, and querying large databases using Structured query language (SQL);

Five or more years' experience developing custom software applications using object-oriented computer programming languages such as C++, Delphi or Visual Basic.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

RS II:

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to wildlife management and hunting;

Knowledge of the basic life history, ecology and management needs of wildlife species and their habitats;

Knowledge of theoretical and applied statistics;

Knowledge of experimental design and survey sampling techniques;

Knowledge of data entry into and querying of relational databases;

Knowledge of SAS, R, or other statistical software and programming in this software;

Knowledge of object-oriented computer programming languages such as C++, Delphi, or Visual Basic;

RS III: Knowledge of RS-II, Plus:

Knowledge of SAS, R, or other statistical software for complex analyses and its use for biological modeling;

Knowledge of the maintenance of existing agency relational databases;

RS IV: Knowledge of RS-III, Plus:

Knowledge of the design and development of new relational databases;

Knowledge of Delphi programming language;

RS II:

Skill in effective verbal and written communication;

Skill in the use of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, etc.;

Skill in using SAS, R, or other statistical software to analyze research and survey data;

Skill in designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on electronic/mail public surveys;

Skill in use and querying of relational databases;

Skill in use of object-oriented computer programming languages such as C++, Delphi, or Visual Basic

RS III: Skills of RS-II, Plus:

Skill in using SAS, R, or other statistical software to analyze complex research and public survey data and perform modeling;

Skill in maintenance of existing agency relational databases;

RS IV: Skills of RS-III, Plus:

Skill in design, development, querying, and maintenance of new relational databases;

Skill in communicating and presenting results of statistical analyses to the public and/or agency staff;

Skill in providing statistical and/or experimental design assistance/training to individual Wildlife Division staff for their projects;

Skill specifically in use of Delphi programming language;

RS II:

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;

Ability to complete accurate and precise survey reports by established timelines;

Ability to learn new statistical analyses, computer hardware and software systems;

Ability to program in object-oriented computer programming languages such as C++, Delphi, or Visual Basic

Ability to work as part of a team of biologists;

Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program;

Ability to work under general supervision;

RS III: Ability of RS-II, Plus:

Ability to provide general, informal consultation and support for individual staff in the areas of experimental design, applied statistics and use of statistical software;

Ability to work under limited supervision;

RS IV: Ability of RS-III, Plus:

Ability to provide individualized assistance or training to staff in the areas of experimental design, applied statistics, and use of statistical software;

Ability to respond to requests quickly and flexibly from Wildlife Program Staff to make various changes to surveys;

Ability to convert existing SAS programs into R or other statistical programs;

Ability specifically to program in Delphi;

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Required to work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday;

Required to work overtime as necessary;

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

Required to travel 5%;

May be required to operate a State vehicle;

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Closing Date: Nov 21, 2023, 12:59:00 AM