TPWD - Information Specialist III (State Parks Public Information Officer)

Job Description:

TPWD - Information Specialist III (State Parks Public Information Officer)

Description

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.

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


PLEASE NOTE:

All applications must contain complete job histories in the WORK HISTORY SECTION to include

• Job Title
• Dates of employment (month/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor and Phone Number
• Description of duties performed
• Volunteer experience credit is counted toward any experience requirement. Please list those experiences 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.
• Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields.
• College Transcripts are required at the time of interview (unless otherwise noted on the posting) 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.
• Applications with "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
• Work In Texas (WIT) Applications : WIT applicants are required to complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. To complete the supplemental questions, login to CAPPS Recruit .

IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT SUBMITTED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

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MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Job Classification

Service

Military Specialty

Information Specialist I-V

Army

46S, 46Z, 46A

Information Specialist I-V

Navy

MC, 165X

Information Specialist I-V

Coast Guard

PA, INF, SEI13

Information Specialist I-V

Marine Corps

4511, 4512, 4591, 4502, 4503, 4505, 8055

Information Specialist I-V

Air Force

3N0X6,35PX

Information Specialist I-V

Space Force

No Military Crosswalk. Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply.

*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 attach the required documentation referenced below 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 or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
• 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.




HIRING CONTACT: Stephanie Garcia, (512) 389-8756/ Email: stephanie.garcia@tpwd.texas.gov

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Press Office, TPWD HQ, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas, 78744

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Under the direction of the Press Office Manager, this position performs highly complex (senior-level) informational and communications work. Responsible for being the media relations liaison for the State Parks Division, coordinating and overseeing research, writing, editing, and production of informational programs and materials for release to news media and for use by the agency, the public and other agencies. Responsibilities include advanced media relations for traditional and new media, crisis communications, developing and implementing communications plans and serving as an agency spokesperson. May assign and/or supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division, and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

NOTE: Must submit samples of work including but not limited to press releases, talking points and communications plans.


Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

Experience :

Two years of experience in media relations work, including but not limited to crisis communications, developing and distributing press releases, organizing media events, or related field.

One year of experience creating content for social media.

Licensure :

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid Class "C" Texas driver's license.

NOTE : Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS :

Education :

One additional year of the required experience may substitute for thirty semester hours of the required education, with a maximum substitution of 120 hours.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Experience :

Three years of experience in media relations work, including but not limited to crisis communications, developing and distributing press releases, organizing media events, or related field.

Two years of experience creating content for social media

Experience or course work in a State Parks related field.

Experience or course work in natural resource management or wildlife sciences or parks and recreation.

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge of agency functions, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of rules of style, grammar, spelling and punctuation, including the AP Style Manual, and the ability to adapt to concise social media style as appropriate.

Knowledge of news media and media relations.

Knowledge of editing and preparing informational material.

Knowledge of social media.

Knowledge of promotional strategies and tactics.

Knowledge of web page and web content development.

Knowledge of news interview techniques.

Knowledge of basic video photography, editing and production.

Knowledge of state parks.

Skill in effective written and verbal communication.

Skill in news reporting and writing, editorial and design concepts and practices.

Skill in effective news interviews, and crisis communications.

Skill in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Skill in the operation of applicable software including video editing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro.

Skill in the use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Skill in writing for a magazine.

Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other state agencies and organizations.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts.

Skill in editing and proofreading print and/or web content.

Ability to research and prepare information.

Ability to design communication plans and materials related to the goals and priorities of the agency.

Ability to respond to media requests and other requests for communications assistance after hours and on weekends.

Ability to compose content for the Web.

Ability to shoot and edit photos and short videos and post online via social media and the Internet.

Ability to conduct news interviews and serve as an agency spokesperson.

Ability to train others, especially in media and social media tactics and strategies.

Ability to build relationships with news media (print, radio, TV, bloggers, etc.).

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.

Ability to plan conferences, seminars, workshops, and public information events; to oversee and/or supervise the work of others

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

WORKING CONDITIONS :

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

Required to work on holidays, weekends and hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as necessary.

Required to work overtime as necessary.

Required to travel 10% or more with possible overnight stays.

Required to operate a state vehicle.

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

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

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER



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Closing Date: Dec 16, 2025, 11:59:00 PM