GLO - Natural Resources Specialist I (Corpus Christi)

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist I (Coastal Biologist) within the Coastal Field Operations Department of the agency.

Performs routine (journey-level) natural resources work for Coastal Field Operations. Work involves conducting management, protection, preservation, or utilization of natural resources work. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Our Mission:

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be:

· Prepares routine written field reports and other compliance forms on proposed/existing projects involving piers, docks, cabins, habitat creation, dredging, fill, pipeline installation or removal, and commercial projects , etc., on state-owned submerged land as assigned by Manager/Director in a timely fashion. Including researching historic files as needed. Responsible for the follow-up of the outstanding file list on a weekly basis. Keeps Manager/ Director informed of any problems associated with these projects on a weekly basis.

· Conducts routine field inspections to evaluate natural resources on proposed or existing projects on state owned land for new and compliance purposes. This includes: piers, docks, marinas, dredging, fill, pipeline installation or removal, cabins, or natural hazards, etc., on state-owned land as assigned by Manager / Director. This also includes coordination of on-site inspections with applicants, agents, and government agencies regarding proposed, existing, or unauthorized projects located on state land.

· Evaluates and negotiates project design with applicants and agents in order to avoid or minimize impacts to the state’s natural resources and bring structures into compliance with GLO guidelines and policies. This involves coordination with various resource agencies at the state and federal level.

· Works with state and federal agencies, other entities, including stakeholders, to provide technical assistance, subject matter expertise, guidance, and education in requested natural resource agency workgroups and other meetings as directed.

· Performs review of US Army Corps of Engineers documents for coastal projects to determine any needed GLO authorizations. Provide correspondence to USACE regarding GLO requirements for projects to comply with State guidelines.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

· Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in natural or physical science, environmental studies, or a related field; and three letters of professional recommendation. 

· Knowledge and experience in trailering and operating outboard motor boats in Texas bay systems or comparable environments. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

· Experience performing field data collection, evaluations, inspections, or surveys to determine the impact on natural resources. 

· Experience providing technical assistance and research for natural resources programs.

· Experience researching and preparing technical reports, permits, and papers.

· Familiarity with the Texas coast waterbodies, coastlines, habitats, and ecology. 

· Experience with aerial photography or map-based programs, such as Google Earth and/or web-based GIS viewers.

· Experience interpreting and/or applying rules, statues and/or policies, or familiar with Federal and/or State permitting/leasing process. 

· Experience providing policy and procedure information to the public or customers. 

· Experience operating capital equipment such as outboard boats and tablet devices.

· Experience with coastal studies that address resiliency, erosion, subsidence, sea-level changes, restoration, and/or other similar factors.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform non-sedentary work; mobility (moving around the work-site) is routinely required to carry out some duties including extensive moving upon and traveling across uneven surfaces, rough terrain and/or desolate areas. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies; marginal or corrected visual and auditory requirements; constant use of personal computers, copiers, printers, and telephones; the ability to move about the office to access file cabinets and office machinery; requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; ability to move and transport records, documents, boxes and all related information, materials and tools, weighing up to 50 pounds; frequent sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position; ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and/or steer a boat as needed; the ability to work outside and adapt to adverse weather conditions to include sea, sky and land environments; the ability to work under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others; and the ability to remain stationary for long periods of time when commuting to and from assigned destination and when traveling on state business including field work and training assignments.

Compensation and Benefits:

· Free Parking

· Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts

· Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees’ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.

· Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.

· Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service.

· Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

Veterans:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Natural Resources

How to Apply:

· To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section.

· You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section.

· Applications must be fully completed with a detailed job history, including job title, employment dates, employer name, supervisor's name and phone number, and a summary of responsibilities. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. Please be aware that resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.

· In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. 

· A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.

· Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.