Human Resources

The Human Resources Division supports achievement of the agency’s mission through services to attract and retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce. The division’s primary responsibility is in supporting customers with essential services, information, and learning opportunities so that employees can devote their greatest energy to effective performance and achieving the Department’s mission. The HR Division supports this achievement through the delivery of personnel services to an authorized workforce of over 3,000 FTEs. The Director of Human Resources serves as a member of the senior leadership team and provides direction and oversight for human capital programs while providing guidance to the following areas of Human Resources.

Classification and Recruitment:

The Classification and Recruitment Team administers the agency’s recruitment and staffing programs in compliance with the State of Texas Position Classification Plan. This team prepares job posting announcements, processes employment applications, reviews and approves salary actions, conducts job audits, makes Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) determinations, coordinates and submits changes to the State of Texas Position Classification Plan, and administers the Centralized Accounting Payroll and Personnel Systems (CAPPS) Recruit module. This team also focuses on diversifying the workforce through attendance at outreach and recruitment events, partnerships with universities, and internship and veteran programs.

Personnel and Benefits:

The Personnel and Benefits Team coordinates, audits, and processes the agency’s selection recommendations, new hires, onboarding, separations, and other personnel requests occurring during the employment cycle. This team administers the Employees Retirement System (ERS) benefits programs, providing education, guidance, interpretation and training on insurance, retirement, and deferred compensation. The team works closely with ERS and insurance carriers to resolve employee benefit issues. This team is responsible for the administration of the CAPPS Time & Labor module. This team also administers the Department’s Employee Recognition Awards and Wellness Programs.

Payroll:

The Payroll Team administers the agency payroll in compliance with state and federal laws. This team processes payroll actions, provides guidance on special payments, conducts audits, resolves exceptions, reconciles tax data, distributes payments, and completes wage verifications. This team also complies with state and federal reporting requirements, and develops and maintains agency payroll policies, procedures, and controls.

Employee Relations:

The Employee Relations and Special Leaves Team interprets and provides guidance to employees and managers regarding agency policies and state and federal employment laws. Employee Relations advises employees and managers to optimize performance and enhance workplace relationships, investigates EEO complaints, coordinates the disciplinary grievance process, facilitates workplace accommodations, administers the Employee Assistance Program, coordinates drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers, represents the Department in unemployment hearings, and is responsible for the CAPPS Performance Management system. The Special Leaves team administers various leave, workers compensation, and return-to-work programs.

Training and Organizational Development:

The Training and Organization Development Team administers leadership development and professional development training programs. This team delivers state and federally mandated EEO and sexual harassment, and fraud training, organizational development services, the Department’s mentoring program, administers the CAPPS Enterprise Learning Management (ELM) system, and oversees the tuition reimbursement program. This team also directs, coordinates, and assists with many department-wide initiatives including New Employee Orientation.

HR Project Management Team:

The Project Team manages various division-wide projects and agency initiatives such as HR policy updates, the Survey of Employee Engagement, HR Annual Reports for divisions, implementation of relevant laws and regulations resulting from legislative sessions. This team manages system access and security for CAPPS HR, provides guidance and support to users, maintains foundation tables and commitment accounting changes, and implements agency-level system configuration and enhancements. The HR Project Team also develops and maintains the HR Division’s databases and data systems, responds to data inquiries, administers the HR Division’s dashboards and on-line systems, develops reports, and oversees the division’s computer system, equipment, and software needs, ensures the HR Division’s documents and forms meet accessibility requirements and serves as the Information Technology contact for the HR Division.

Agency Volunteer Program:

The Agency Volunteer Program administrator oversees, evaluates, and promotes the volunteer program including the management of an AmeriCorps VISTA grant. This position manages the volunteer database system, provides technical training, and addresses safety and risk management issues for volunteers.


Headquarters Location

4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Division Director

Patty David
512-389-4808


HR Main Contact Information

General HR Inquiries — 512-389-4545 
Send Employment Verifications via the following methods:
HR@tpwd.texas.gov

512-389-4861 Fax

Headquarters Staff

Cayley Birchfield, MHRM
Manager — Classification & Recruitment
512-389-4485 

Melissa Barbato, PHR, SHRM-CP
Manager – Personnel & Benefits
512-389-8015

Sharon Alvarez
Manager — Payroll
512-389-4711

Errol Hardin
Manager — Employee Relations, Policy & Procedures
512-389-8411

Shana Dudley, Ph.D.
Manager — Training and Organizational Development
512-389-8455 

Matthew Kennedy
Manager — HR Project Management
512-389-8958

Kris Shipman
Agency Volunteer Program Administrator
512-389-8737