Conservation Careers Await at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Media Contact: TPWD News Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN, Texas — If you love the outdoors and are looking for a job where you can make a difference in conserving Texas’ natural and cultural resources, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department may have just the job you’re looking for.

Entering 2008, TPWD had 50 job postings and was expecting to post even more during coming weeks. The majority of those job openings are within the State Parks Division, which is looking to fill job slots in Austin, its field offices and in many of the 93 state parks. Recent retirements of park employees and additional appropriations from the Texas Legislature last year to increase staffing in state parks by more than 200 employees are driving the demand.

"The combination of retirements and new positions is making for the best state park career opportunities that we’ve seen in 20 or more years," said State Parks Director Walt Dabney. "For people who love the outdoors, like working with park visitors and doing something that makes a different in their quality of life, this is a wonderful time to consider a parks career."

Dabney says state park job openings cover everything from clerk slots to major maintenance jobs to interpretive and peace officer positions. There are some excellent opportunities, too, he said, for college graduates with no parks experience to come into the agency as park trainees, where they can learn on the job and forge a state parks career.

At present, the State Parks Division has approximately 100 job openings, many of them ranger positions. Some of them are entry-level positions for which many people might qualify, but the majority requires special skills and experience, so applicants need to look closely at the job descriptions to make sure they meet minimal qualifications before applying.

Other employment opportunities exist, as well, in wildlife, fisheries and other TPWD divisions, according to Al Bingham, director of the Human Resources Division.

"There are a variety of jobs at our Austin headquarters," Bingham said, "but because we are a field-based organization, we are looking to fill jobs throughout the state. A number of vacancies exist in rural areas, where our positions are competitive with the local retail market."

Applicants must submit a completed State of Texas job application for each position of interest. Copies of applications will be accepted as long as the different job posting number and location preference are identified.

Job seekers may stop by the TPWD headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, in Austin to view the job postings and apply, or they can review employment opportunities on the agency’s Web site. Interested job candidates also may call the Human Resources Division at (512) 389-4545.

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