Vegetation Specialist I or II
Texas Department of Transportation
Houston, TX 77007
$40,918 - $71,055 a year
Description
Join the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Houston District Maintenance Office and play a key role in district maintenance operations. We're seeking a dedicated professional to perform vegetation management and planning. As part of the District Maintenance Office, you’ll provide valuable support, guidance, and training to each of our nine maintenance sections, while implementing the district vegetation management program and winter weather brine calibration operations. This position will require you to make frequent visits to job sites and maintenance offices.
At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:
Retirement Plans
Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
Paid Leave and Holidays
Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
On-the-Job Training
Tuition Assistance Program
Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
Family-Friendly Policies and Programs
In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our Total Compensation Package website
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)
Vegetation Specialist I:
Administers and coordinates the implementation of integrated vegetation management programs. Work requires contact with governmental and private entities. Work may require extensive travel. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.
Vegetation Specialist II:
Administers and coordinates the implementation of integrated vegetation management programs. Work requires contact with
governmental and private entities. Work may require extensive travel. Employees at this level perform work independently on
assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.
Vegetation Specialist I:
- Addresses public inquiries and complaints pertaining to vegetation management programs.
- Analyzes/recommends appropriate erosion control materials, methods and installation, propagation and management of native wild flowers and other materials, herbicide equipment design and production
- Coordinates and consults with other regulatory agencies, special interest groups regarding vegetation management, endangered species and environmental or legal matters.
- Coordinates the evaluation of pest problems and the development of specific programs for the local environment.
- Develops erosion control and vegetation recommendations.
- Evaluates, researches and monitors seeding, new and current herbicide pesticide products/programs, vegetation research programs and operations and the effectiveness of existing products/programs.
- Provides consultation and technical assistance on vegetation management, pesticide operations, calibration and operation of applicable equipment, operator training and licensing.
- Reviews and updates herbicide/pesticide operations and vegetation management standards.
- Serves as a resource specialist to maintenance operations on environmental matters involving vegetation, soil and water management
- Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
Vegetation Specialist II:
Includes all essential duties listed for Vegetation Specialist I as well as:
- Designs and oversees products and application, calibration and injection of equipment for herbicides and pesticides.
- Directs and monitors different vegetation operations and programs in a district.
- Identifies specific vegetation problems, coordinates with appropriate entities and implements control programs.
Reviews, coordinates and updates herbicide/pesticide and vegetation management standards.
- Analyzes appropriate erosion control materials, methods and installation, propagation and management of native wild flowers and other plan materials, herbicide equipment design and production.
Provides technical assistance to district design and construction personnel on matters relating to vegetation establishment and erosion control.
- Performs other job responsibilities as assigned
Vegetation Specialist I:
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Botany, Environmental Science or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
1 year of experience in vegetation Management or related activities (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Vegetation Specialist II:
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Botany, Environmental Science or related field. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
2 years of experience in vegetation Management or related activities (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Competencies:
Vegetation Specialist I:
-
Working knowledge of:
- Native vegetation and plant communities
- Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
-
Proficient skill in:
- Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area
- Analyzing and organizing business and technical data
- Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
-
Ability to:
- Communicate effectively
Vegetation Specialist II:
Includes all competencies listed for Vegetation Specialist I as well as:
-
Considerable knowledge of:
- Herbicides and pesticides
- Native vegetation and plant communities
- Application, calibration and inspection equipment for herbicides and pesticides
- Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
Proficient skill in:
Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Vegetation Specialist I and II:
- Standing - prolonged periods of time
- Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
- Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
- Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
Conditions of Employment:
Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.
This is a Safety Impact position and you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and will be subject to random drug testing.
- Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
Must be able to report for duty to the District office to assist with EOC operations during weather response events.
TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.
Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.
The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.
Additional Applicant Information