GLO - Natural Resources Specialist I (La Porte)

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist (Response Officer Candidate) within the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Department of the agency.

Performs natural resources work involving conservation, management, protection, preservation, or utilization of natural resources.

Our Mission:

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

 

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be: 

• Assists in investigations, assessments, and drafts spill reports on actual or threatened coastal marine oil spills, which may include assisting in the directing of contractors during small spills. Trains are used to conduct the collection and analysis of petroleum pollutants.

• Trains to conduct inspections/audits on waterfront oil handling facilities, review oil spill contingency plans for facilities and OPA/OSPRA vessels, conduct transfer monitors, conduct vehicle and boat patrols; trains to complete proper forms and make recommendations regarding findings, and conduct follow-up inspections as needed.

• Operates and maintains technical equipment, including boats (up to and including 27-foot boat), skimmers, other basic spill response equipment, performs preventive maintenance, and the preparation of all paperwork.

• Trains to serve as liaison with local industry groups, the general public, and local/state/federal agencies. Trains to conduct educational presentations and training programs.  Assists in field studies and in evaluating programs and techniques as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with the response tactics used for coastal or inland water oil spills or chemical releases.
• Experience utilizing spill containment boom for deflection, collection or containment, or experience with using different types of absorbents for collection or shoreline protection.

The candidate may be required to demonstrate their ability to safely operate and handle  a vessel up to 27' in length.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Federal or State Regulatory experience with knowledge of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), Chapter 40 of the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 1991 (OSPRA), and the Texas Administrative Code Title 31 Part 1 Chapter 19. (TAC 19)

• Able to work hours other than 8 to 5, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

• 4 Years of experience working in an emergency management and response field within an industrial setting. 

• Experience in a large-scale industrial crisis, preferably oil spill response in coastal or inland waters. 

• Ability to launch, operate, and trailer a boat.

• Experience operating single and twin-engine boats up to 27' in length. 

• Successfully completed, and have completion certificates, Incident Command System courses 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800.

• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) or the National Incident Command System (NICS).

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Occupational Safety, Environmental science, biologist or related field. 

• Experience operating within an Incident Command System.

• Currently hold or previously held a 40-hour OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification.

• Experience with oil recovery tactics that utilize oil skimmers, vacuum trucks or boats.

• Experience with towing and backing different types or trailers varying in length.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform non-sedentary work; mobility (moving around the work-site) is routinely required to carry out some duties including extensive moving upon and traveling across uneven surfaces, rough terrain and/or desolate areas. Normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies; marginal or corrected visual and auditory requirements; constant use of personal computers, copiers, printers, and telephones; the ability to move about the office to access file cabinets and office machinery; requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; ability to move and transport records, documents, boxes and all related information, materials and tools, weighing up to 50 pounds; frequent sitting and/or remaining in a stationary position; ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and/or steer a boat as needed; the ability to work outside and adapt to adverse weather conditions to include sea, sky and land environments; the ability to work under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others; and the ability to remain stationary for long periods of time when commuting to and from assigned destination and when traveling on state business including field work and training assignments.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Free Parking 

• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts 

• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees premium and 25% for eligible dependents. 

• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance. 

• Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service. 

• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

   

   

Veterans:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Natural Resources

How to Apply:

• To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section.

• You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section. 

•  Applications must be fully completed with a detailed job history, including job title, employment dates, employer name, supervisor's name and phone number, and a summary of responsibilities. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. Please be aware that resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.  
• A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.   
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.