Organization: Parks and Wildlife Department
Primary Location: Texas-Austin
Work Locations: DW-TPWD Headquarters 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744
Job: Business and Financial Operations
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 1562
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 28
Salary (Pay Basis): $9,000.00-$10,416.67 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 1
Overtime Status: Exempt
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.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Special Projects Manager performs advanced project management work. Work involves planning, directing, and executing agency-wide initiatives, executive-level meetings, and cross-divisional projects. Provides leadership and direction to assigned staff in support of operations and priorities. Serves as an advisor to executive leadership while directly managing the planning, coordination, and execution of critical projects. This position supports the COO and works closely with divisions to manage and facilitate complex projects with agency-wide impact. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
70% Project Management Duties: Directs and executes enterprise-level projects and initiatives with agency-wide or statewide impact, serving as both project leader and primary implementer. Oversees coordination of Executive-level activities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and effective communication with internal staff and external contributors. Collaborates with leadership to establish project goals, objectives, and success measures. Designs and implements project processes, documentation standards, change management procedures, risk assessments, and milestone tracking. Develops and produces reports, briefings, and presentations; delivers updates to executive leadership. Identifies opportunities for operational efficiency, process improvement, and enhanced governance coordination and implements solutions.
25% Supervisory and Leadership Duties: Provides leadership in executive-level operations, including preparation for and follow-up on high-level meetings, briefings, and strategic discussions. Supervises, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff, ensuring team effectiveness and alignment with organizational priorities. Supervisory duties include, but are not limited to, performance reviews, hiring, onboarding, separations, and personnel actions. May represent the agency at internal and external meetings.
5% Marginal Job Duties: Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with Agency, Division, and Department rules, regulations, and procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Natural Resources, Resource Conservation, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise-level project management, strategic planning, or executive operations. Demonstrated experience in both leading and executing high-impact projects. Experience supervising or managing staff in a leadership capacity. NOTE: Experience may have happened concurrently.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Licensure: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent is preferred but not required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices. Knowledge of strategic planning, resource allocation, organizational governance, and performance evaluation methods. Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to agency operations. Knowledge of leadership techniques and executive-level decision-making processes. Knowledge of department meeting processes, including preparation, coordination, and follow-through. Skill in managing and executing multiple high-level projects concurrently. Skill in planning, organizing, and directing the work of staff and complex initiatives. Skill in risk assessment, problem-solving, and making sound executive-level decisions. Skill in developing and presenting executive reports, briefings, and formal testimony. Skill in establishing plans, goals, and objectives for large and complex organizations. Skill in working collaboratively and quickly to solve problems across divisions and stakeholder groups. Skill in using Microsoft Office Suite, Virtual meeting platforms (MS Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc) and/or Adobe products. Ability to balance strategic oversight with direct execution of project deliverables. Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions. Ability to supervise and mentor staff, manage competing priorities, and deliver results under critical deadlines. Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the agency's strategic plan. Ability to prepare concise reports and communicate effectively with various audiences, including governing bodies and oversight entities. Ability to exercise initiative, innovation, and independent judgment in sensitive or complex situations. Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across divisions, agencies, and external partners.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Required to work 40 hours per week. May be required to work overtime, holidays, weekends, and hours other than regularly scheduled with supervisor approval. May be required to operate a state vehicle. Required to travel up to 15% with possible overnight stays. Required to conform to dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures.
TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER