TPWD - Government Relations Spec II (Government Relations Specialist)

Job Description:

TPWD - Government Relations Spec II (Government Relations Specialist)

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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  Name of Employer, Name of Supervisor 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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  Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification; you may state 'unknown' for any incomplete fields.
  
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  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.
  
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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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  Resumes are encouraged as attachments but will not be used to determine eligibility
  
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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.



MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Job Classification

Service

Military Specialty

Government Relations Specialist l-III

Army

46S, 46Z, 46A, 48B, 48E, 48G, 48J, 48P, 48X

Government Relations Specialist l-III

Navy

MC, 165X, 171X

Government Relations Specialist l-III

Coast Guard

PA, INF, SEI13, SEI14, SEI15

Government Relations Specialist l-III

Marine Corps

0570, 0571, 8231, 8232, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8236, 8237, 8238, 0570, 0571, 4502, 4505, 8018, 8221, 8222, 8223, 8224, 8225, 8226, 8227, 8228, 8240, 8241, 8242, 8243, 8244, 8245, 8246, 8247, 8248

Government Relations Specialist l-III

Air Force

3N090, 14FX, 16FX, 16PX, 35PX

Government Relations Specialist l-III

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:

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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 .

HIRING CONTACT: David Eichler, (512) 389-4949, Email: [email protected]

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: Austin HQ, 4200 Smith School Rd, Austin, TX 78744

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Director of Governmental and External Affairs, the Governmental Relations Specialist performs advanced (senior level) legislative work to include coordinating moderate- to high-level communications between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Governor's Office, legislative offices, and other governmental entities. Coordinates legislative inquiries and responses. Identifies and facilitates opportunities for communications between TPWD executive management and TPW Commission with elected state and federal officials regarding department programs. Coordinates the agency's legislative bill analysis, tracking process, and legislative implementation. Performs highly advanced (senior level) legislative and consultative work. Must be detail-oriented; enjoy working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; and be able to adapt as circumstances are required. Coordinates and participates in agency activities related to the Texas legislative session and attends legislative hearings and meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons. Reviews and prepares reports on newly enacted laws and pending state and federal legislation and report summaries of meetings and hearings. Develops, conducts, and evaluates legislative training. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned.



Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Experience :

Three years' experience in governmental relations, analyzing legislation, legislative and strategic planning, developing performance measures or related field.

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 experience in developing and interpreting policies, analyzing legislation, legislative planning, strategic planning, or developing performance measures may substitute for thirty semester hours of the required education, with a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours.

Experience :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD may substitute for two years of the required experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Experience :

Extensive experience working with the federal or state legislature and managing legislative and appropriation processes and public policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, functions, and operations.

Knowledge of the legislative appropriation process in the Texas Legislature and political environments and affecting TPWD programs.

Knowledge of House and Senate rules.

Knowledge of natural and cultural resources

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

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Skill in researching complex issues, extracting information from written materials, providing summaries and updates and making recommendations; to prepare concise reports; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; and to train others.

Skill in communicating and interacting with other individuals and groups while simultaneously building credibility and rapport.

Skill in consulting and advising others.

Skill in planning, coordinating the work of others and handling and resolving problems resourcefully.

Skill in using tact and diplomacy in building effective working relationships with Governor's Office contacts, legislative offices, TPWD Commission, external stakeholders, and all levels of staff and the public.

Skill in working independently and effectively within established guidelines and time frames.

Skill in identifying committees with jurisdiction over TPWD legislative and appropriation matters.

Skill in using initiative in accomplishing tasks without direct supervision.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts to devise solutions to problems, to prepare concise reports, and to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to translate information pertaining to department programs into lay terminology.

Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships, including effective interaction with a variety of professional groups with a broad knowledge base.

Ability to analyze and interpret legislation.

Ability to make presentations or provide testimony before groups or members of the legislature.

Ability to analyze complex issues, evaluate impact to the agency, drawing appropriate conclusions and initiating necessary action.

Ability to manage conflict, projects and deadlines.

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 overtime and weekends as necessary and particularly during the legislative session.

Required to operate a state vehicle.

May be required to travel 5% with possible overnight stays.

Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


Closing Date: Mar 20, 2026, 11:59:00 PM