TPWD - Intern I - II - III (Wildlife Field Intern - Matador WMA)

Job Description:

TPWD - Intern I - II - III (Wildlife Field Intern - Matador WMA)

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

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  Job Title
  
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  Dates of employment (month/year)
  
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  Hours worked per week
  
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  Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor and Phone Number
  
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  Description of duties performed
  
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  Volunteer experience credit is counted toward any experience requirement. Please list those experiences to receive credit towards meeting the minimum requirements.
  
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  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.
  
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  Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification. you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields.
  
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  Applications with "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
  
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  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.



READ - IMPORTANT TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENT:

A copy of a current college transcript, ISSUED FROM THE REGISTRAR with a signature and/or school watermark, must be attached to the application at time of submission. The transcript must show current GPA, credits, and current enrollment or recent graduation with a bachelor's or higher degree. Graduation date must be December 2025 or more recent.



DEGREE PLANS OR GRADES FROM A STUDENT SELF-SERVICE PORTAL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED . Omission of a transcript will be the basis for disqualification.



International degrees must be accompanied with an evaluation of the comparable academic qualification. There are several associations related to degree evaluations that can be contacted to obtain the required documentation (i.e. Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), etc.).



MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES can be found at http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE: If you choose to claim military employment preference as outlined by the State of Texas, you must attach 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:

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  Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
  
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  Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried- Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
  
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  Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty- Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
  
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  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.
  
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  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.





TO APPLY: Application must be completed at: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

HIRING CONTACT: Donald Ruthven, (806) 492-3405, [email protected]

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Matador Wildlife Management Area, 3036 FM 3256 Paducah, TX 79248

GENERAL DESCRIPTION :

Under direct supervision of the Area Manager/Assistant Area Manager(s) at the Matador Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the Intern is responsible for assisting staff with all facets of WMA operations. Assists with baseline inventory and monitoring activities to include vegetation sampling, mist netting of birds, and monitoring of drift fence arrays and Sherman traps. Provides assistance with research activities investigating the effects of land use practices on vegetation and wildlife. Assists with habitat enhancement activities including use of heavy equipment for mechanical brush management, application of chemicals to manage woody vegetation, and prescribed burning. Helps with maintenance of facilities, roads, grounds, and fences. Assists with capital improvement and public access projects. Conducts surveys and monitoring of wildlife populations including dove banding activities. Performs data entry of research, baseline inventory, and wildlife census data, and collects GPS data. Assists with public outreach programs as needed.

NOTE: As students, paid work experience reflected on your application may be limited. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to include any additional educational, volunteer, civic/community engagement or life experiences that addresses the knowledge, skills and abilities reflected on this intern opportunity within the work experience section of the application.



ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES :

% of Time

Essential Job Duties by Category

40 %

Outdoor Work Requirement.

15 %

Operating a computer and related equipment .

20 %

Verbal communication .

2 0%

Maintenance of vehicle, lodging, property infrastructure.

5%

Marginal Job Duties:

Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with Agency, Division and Department rules, regulations, and procedures.



Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education :
Current enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college or university or recent graduate with a bachelor's degree or higher within the last 6 months.
Minimum of 18 completed semester credit hours from an accredited college or university at time of application.
Must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 grade point scale or "Pass" on a Pass/Fail system.
Experience :
None required.
Licensure :
Must possess a valid state driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education :
Current enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college or university in a Wildlife Science or closely related program.
Experience :
Experience in safe equipment operation and maintenance (including, but not limited to, tractors and associated implements, ATVs/UTVs, four-wheel drive and off-road vehicles, etc.).
Experience with monitoring and survey equipment (including, but not limited to, radio telemetry, GPS, vegetation sampling, mist netting, and Sherman traps).
Experience in personal computers and personal computer applications.
Experience in application of chemicals to manage woody vegetation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of native and non-native wildlife, vegetation, habitats and land use practices in Texas Panhandle and/or southern High Plains regions.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
Skill in effective interaction with staff at all levels of the department and other state agencies and organizations.
Skill in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
Skill in the use of personal computers.
Ability to safely operate and maintain heavy equipment (including but not limited to tractors and associated implements, ATVs/UTVs, four-wheeled drive and off-road vehicles).
Ability to safely operate powered and non-powered hand tools and other equipment as assigned.
Ability to use GPS and radio telemetry equipment.
Ability to collect and analyze scientific data.
Ability to maintain assigned equipment in good working condition.
Ability to safely work independently with little or no supervision.
Ability to work as a member of a team.
Ability to perform manual labor including lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.
Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Internship duration and work week schedule to be mutually determined by supervisor and intern.
Required to work overtime as necessary.
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 perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
Required to perform manual labor including lifting supplies and materials up to 50 lbs.
Lodging available.
Required to maintain order and cleanliness of lodging.
Required to travel 10% with possible overnight stays.
Required to operate a State vehicle.
Required to conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures.
Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER



Closing Date: Mar 11, 2026, 9:59:00 PM