Please note that we have a rare job opening in the TPWD News and Information
Branch, as detailed below. Note the deadline to apply is Nov. 17. This job
posting, plus application instructions and forms, are online at
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/postings/?page=10_10_054

POSITION TITLE: Information Specialist V
FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Information Specialist
PHONE NO.: 512/389-4545
FAX NO.: 512/389-4861
E-MAIL ADDRESS: hr@tpwd.state.tx.us
SALARY GROUP: 1834/B23
SALARY: $5,000.00/Mo.
POSITION LOCATION/ Austin Headquarters
ADDRESS: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX  78744
DIVISION: Communications
HIRING CONTACT: Tom Harvey
POSTING DATE: November 3, 2009
CLOSING DATE: November 17, 2009
POSTING NO.: 10-10-054

GENERAL POSITION DESCRIPTION:  Performs highly-advanced (senior-level)
informational and media relations work.  Duties involve the comprehensive
preparation, coordination, and dissemination of public information, and the
stimulation of public participation and representation in agency programs. 
Plans, assigns, and/or coordinates the work of others.  Coordinates statewide
programs and projects.  Coordinates production of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) weekly news release digest, including writing, editing and
distribution of news covering all aspects of TPWD.  Helps plan and use social
media tools for news media and stakeholder communication.  Responds to news
media information requests and facilitates coverage of TPWD business.  Works
under minimal supervision with extensive 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  (1) Required to work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Friday; (2) Required to work overtime as necessary; (3) Required to occasionally
travel with overnight stays; (4) Required to work one weekend per year at the
Annual Texas Wildlife Expo (if applicable); (5) Non-smoking environment in State
buildings and vehicles.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
Bachelor’s degree with major course work in Journalism, Public Relations,
Advertising, Communications or related field.  Acceptable Substitution:  One
additional year journalism, public relations, communication or related
experience may substitute for thirty semester hours of the required education,
with a maximum substitution of 120 semester hours.
Experience:  Ten years experience in journalism, public relations,
communications or related field, including at least two years where duties
involved employee supervision and personnel management.
License/Certifications:  Must possess or be able to obtain within 30 days of
employment, a Class “C” Texas driver’s license.  Note:  Retention of position
contingent upon maintaining and retaining required license.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  (1) Knowledge of in-depth agency programs,
policies, objectives, technology, and terminology; and of the operation of all
types of communication media, their material requirements and approach to
subject matter; (2) Knowledge or experience planning and providing content for
Web pages and developing Web pages; (3) Knowledge or experience planning and
using social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr for news media
and stakeholder communication; (4) Knowledge of basic employee supervision and
personnel management; (5) Knowledge of budget preparation, monitoring and
control of expenditures, including managing contract work; (6) Skill in
designing communication plans and materials related to the goals and priorities
of the agency; to prepare and copy scripts; and to design broad communications
plans and materials to fit specific communications needs; (7) Skill in
coordinating and managing the work of others in a team-based setting; (8) Skill
in strong interpersonal skills working with people and groups; (9) Skill in
two-way communication involving listening as well as expressing ideas to create
buy-in, trust and understanding; (10) Ability to train, coordinate and assign
work to others; to research, prepare, and direct information effectively; to
accurately interpret and translate agency programs and research, and to track
numerous projects at different stages of development from conceptualization
through planning to completion; (11) Ability to coordinate statewide programs;
(12) Ability to develop web page content, and to plan and use social media such
as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr for news media and stakeholder
communication; (13) Ability to do news interviews and serve as a TPWD
spokesperson if needed; (14) Ability to manage multiple high profile projects at
once.

Additional Requirements:  (1) Resume and professional references are accepted,
but will not serve in lieu of a completed State of Texas Application for
Employment; (2) A PHOTOCOPY of an official college transcript(s) issued from the
registrar MUST be submitted with application.  The transcript may say “issued to
student” and does not need to be sealed and sent to TPWD.  The transcript may be
faxed, scanned, or mailed with application (if applicable); (3) Texas Parks and
Wildlife requires a Consent for Criminal Background check form from all
applicants completed at time of application.  The form may be found on our
website:  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/.

FORWARD APPLICATION TO:  TPWD- Human Resources, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX  78744.