Description

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Ensures compliance with the Hays County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, to include, but not limited to: annual reporting, site inspections, citizen communication, issuance of permits, mitigation, and property and easement acquisition.
• Performs baseline preserve evaluations and writes land management plans.
• Conducts territory mapping surveys, habitat occupancy surveys, and habitat monitoring surveys for threatened and endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler.
• Conducts light land management work such as fence and sign repairs, brush management, and invasive species control.
• Assists the Director of Parks and Natural Resources in developing procedures that result in effective operations as it relates to natural resource conservation and protection.
• Coordinates field inspections and interacts with citizens, property owners, businesses, and contractors to answer questions and resolve problems while ensuring development projects comply with environmental regulations.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements countywide environmental policies, procedures, and programs with Commissioners Court, Parks and Natural Resources Director, and legal staff.
• Monitors existing County programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Coordinates County activities and projects with local and regional watershed and environmental groups.
• Identifies locations of environmentally sensitive resources.
• Provides technical assistance and education to citizens, community residents, special interest groups, and land developers on environmental requirements and regulations.
• Issues directives for non-compliance with environmental, trespassing, encroachment, and easement regulations.
• Communicates with state and county agencies in reference to regulatory matters.
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with landowners and surrounding communities.
• Works directly with the Budget and Parks Manager in the preparation of the annual budget as it relates to natural resource projects.
• Researches and works directly with County Grant Writers to secure grant funding for natural resource related projects.
• Attends and/or conducts public meetings or hearings that require a high level of representation to address issues or to present sensitive material.
• Represents Hays County and the Commissioners Court when interacting with Federal, State, and Municipal officials.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• Minimum three years’ experience conducting wildlife and/or habitat surveys.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Class C driver’s license.
• Must hold or be able to obtain within one year a USFWS permit to survey golden-cheeked warblers.