In 2019, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) adopted the Save the Day Pass to facilitate better visitor access as park visits and wait times grew. Then, the pandemic hit and visits skyrocketed as people got outside and away from pandemic restrictions. The pass became more important and is here to stay.
Concerns also include legacy systems, such as the Boat Registration Information and Titling System (BRITS), and its replacement is listed as a necessary long-term project in the department’s 2024-25 Legislative Budget Request. Other needs are continued monies for cybersecurity efforts and replacements or upgrades to personal computers, laptops and “ruggedized” computer equipment used in the field or by TPWD law enforcement.
Tech-related responsibilities throughout the agency include:
- The media communications and marketing group handles digital marketing, manages social media, creates electronic newsletters and provides data analytics for marketing purposes.
- The creative and interactive services group maintains the agency website, administers the content management system and manages additional websites.
- The CAPPS administration team administers the Centralized Accounting, Payroll, and Personnel System human resources module; and the budget office interacts with and provides support for additional CAPPS functions.
- The support resources division includes the fleet and radio branch that maintains the agency’s fleet and the radio and radio towers.
Budget: Estimated at $432.4 million with a $16.2 million IT budget, according to Industry Navigator.* The IT department spent the most in December, March and August.
Leadership: Executive Director David Yoskowitz recently took the helm.
IT Director: Jamie McClanahan has been with the agency for some 20 years and the IT director for more than a year. The IT Division is responsible for operations, technical budget and procurement, online customer services, business and strategic development, application development and cybersecurity.
Staff: There are more than 3,000 full-time employees (FTE). The IT Division has approximately 80 employees. Two leadership positions were listed as vacant in the September Legislative Appropriations Request: Procurement Manager III and the agency’s cybersecurity officer.
Of note: This agency includes a law enforcement division comprised of more than 625 FTEs. Texas Game Wardens are commissioned state peace officers and maintain a fleet of more than 500 vehicles including water rescue vessels.
*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, which also produces Industry Insider — Texas.
