9140 28th St. Yuma AZ 85365

Salary: $23.07 - $25.48/hr

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 12/31/2025

WILDLIFE AREA MANAGER
Region IV Wildlife Areas Manager
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-Non-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 19 / HIRING HOURLY RANGE $23.07 - $25.48

Are you driven by purpose fueled by the outdoors and inspired by the chance to protect Arizonas wild places The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a passionate hands-on conservation professional to serve as the Wildlife Area Manager for Region IVa role where your work on the ground directly shapes the future of Arizonas landscapes and the wildlife that depend on them.

Arizonas Wildlife Areas are critical refuges for species watersheds hunters anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. As the designated steward of Commission-owned and managed lands in Region IV youll lead the charge in restoring habitat improving public access protecting sensitive resources and ensuring these special places thrive for generations.

This is conservation in actionequal parts strategic planning ecological restoration community partnership and hands-on fieldwork.

What Youll Do:
Identify develop and implement habitat improvement projects that directly benefit Arizonas wildlife.
Maintain and improve public and operational infrastructure.
Oversee repairs and upkeep of wildlife area facilities vehicles equipment waterlines irrigation systems storage structures and fencing.
Evaluate infrastructure needs and propose enhancements that support safe and meaningful public use.
Lead planning risk assessment and stewardship efforts.
Develop and update wildlife area management plans in order to support wildlife conservation science.
Ensure compliance safety and operational excellence across all projects.
Collaborate with agency staff NGOs volunteers and the public to elevate habitat work and connect people to Arizonas natural resources.
Develop competitive funding proposals oversee grants and contracts and procure materials in alignment with state and department policies.
Monitor water availability for wildlife and coordinate hauling or pumping when needed.
Assist with aquatic game and non-game wildlife surveys when opportunities arise.

What Makes You a Great Fit
Youre someone who thrives outdoors enjoys problem solving and takes pride in restoring and protecting natural landscapes. You enjoy varietyone day you might be drafting a grant proposal and the next you might be repairing a water system leading a habitat project or meeting with conservation partners.

The ideal candidate must be able to live in and/or commute to the Yuma area and must be comfortable working outdoors in extreme isolated conditions. This position requires traveling occasionally (up to 3 hours/day) in order to oversee Region IV Wildlife Areas.

Why Youll Love Working With Us
At the Arizona Game and Fish Department youll join a team of dedicated conservationists who work every day to safeguard Arizonas wildlife and wild places. Youll have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects innovate new approaches to habitat management and leave a lasting legacy on landscapes that matter.

Major responsibilities include:
Identify develop implement and/or oversee implementation of habitat improvement/enhancement projects on wildlife areas.

Develop funding proposals for projects and oversee grants/contracts.

Complete and oversee maintenance/repairs of infrastructure and property including facilities equipment vehicles water lines/irrigation/water storage structures and fencing on the wildlife areas to allow safe public use.

Conduct annual property inspections using the Department standardized criteria to identify and document hazards associated with each property and submit inspection and project records as required.

Monitor water available for wildlife and haul/pump water as needed.

Create project maps utilizing ArcGIS programs.

Serve as the designated steward for identified Commission owned or managed properties.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Wildlife habitat requirements and habitat restoration/enhancement techniques.
Risk assessment methods and evaluating the condition of facilities and infrastructureincluding houses jetties boat ramps lighting systems and related structures.
Budget development and management principles.
Agricultural and land-management practices relevant to wildlife areas.

Skill in:
Using computers and common software GPS units digital cameras and related field technology.
Clear and effective verbal and written communication.
Establishing developing and maintaining productive professional relationships with partners colleagues and the public.
Performing basic trades work including plumbing carpentry fencing concrete work masonry welding and/or roofing.
Safely and effectively using hand tools power tools compressors and similar equipment.
Operating heavy equipment such as backhoes tractors and other machinery used in habitat and facility maintenance.

Ability to:
Safely operate and maintain equipment including 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Develop write and update wildlife area management plans.
Camp work and hike independently in remote field locations sometimes under challenging conditions.
Read and interpret maps aerial imagery and field navigation tools.
Implement habitat improvement and enhancement projects from planning through completion.
Administer oversee and monitor contracts and grants to ensure compliance and successful project delivery.

The preferred candidate will have a bachelors degree or higher in a wildlife science or closely related field. Class A Commercial Drivers License. They will also have project management experience skill in operating heavy equipment experience in the building and construction trade and knowledge of farming practices.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers license complete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked or suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

* 13 days of vacation
* 12 sick days with accumulation benefits
* 10 paid holidays
* Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
* Superior health care options
* Vision care dental care pharmacy benefits and flexible spending account (options available)
* Life long-term disability and short-term disability insurance options are available
* Many more benefit programs are available

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at for assistance.