Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR REGIONAL
Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager
FIELD OPERATIONS DIV / REGION 6 / MESA ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 23 / HIRING SALARY RANGE: $60000 - $75000


Protecting Arizonas Wildlife Through Science Leadership and Compliance

Are you ready to lead inspire and make a lasting statewide impact on Arizonas rich wildlife heritage As a Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager in our Mesa Regional office you will be at the forefront of wildlife conservation guiding a passionate team of specialists and researchers in complex field and laboratory studies across Arizonas breathtaking diverse landscapes. You will drive strategic planning establish programmatic priorities and oversee vital budgetary and operational framework to ensure our wildlife management initiatives thrive.

This dynamic role offers an exciting blend of strategic leadership and hands-on stewardship. Whether you are spearheading crucial study plans in the office or navigating remote rugged wilderness terrain via ATVs boats aircraft or on foot your energy and expertise will directly champion the conservation of Arizonas majestic wildlife species for generations to come!

What Youll Do:
Empower mentor and supervise a dedicated team; fostering professional growth celebrating key achievements and cultivating an environment of excellence.
Drive cutting-edge science by gathering compiling and analyzing critical wildlife inventory and monitoring data to inform high-level management actions.
Champion innovation and agency initiatives by participating in key advisory groups process improvement teams and committees dedicated to advancing wildlife management.
Build powerful collaborative partnerships with state federal tribal and municipal agencies as well as private stakeholders to advocate for wildlife populations and enhance outdoor recreation across the state.
Serve as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on wildlife biology and stewardship delivering expert guidance and training to agency colleagues external partners and the public.
Spearhead the administration and strategic direction of the regional Wildlife Program managing fiscal budgets work assignments and performance metrics to ensure maximum conservation impact.

Why AZGFD
At Arizona Game and Fish conservation is personal. Our employees are deeply connected to the landscapes and wildlife they protect. We value stewardship teamwork partnerships and professional growth and we support our staff with training and career development opportunities. If youre ready to make a measurable impact on wildlife conservation we encourage you to apply and become part of Arizonas conservation mission!

Supervises and coordinates a staff of wildlife specialists or other personnel and their assistants engaged in complex wildlife research management and/or environmental studies in the field and laboratory. Coordinates and monitors wildlife study plans programs and procedures. Provides coordination inside and outside the agency to ensure successful wildlife program implementation. The Wildlife Specialist Supervisor develops and administers wildlife programs and is responsible for strategic planning and establishing programmatic priorities. Employees are responsible for ensuring all related activities e.g. budgetary fiscal planning outreach etc. are completed appropriately.

This position requires a flexible schedule including occasional work on weekends holidays or nights. While much of the work is conducted indoors and demands close attention to detail fieldwork is also required. Field assignments may involve travel across the stateoften in remote or rugged terrainand can include exposure to extreme weather conditions and wilderness hazards. Various transportation methods may be used including boats aircraft ATVs horses or traveling on foot.

Major responsibilities include:

Supervise 4 Regional Wildlife Program Specialists and their individual subprograms. Conduct and review performance evaluations personnel investigations and recommend discipline. Coach and mentor program staff in policy procedures skills and abilities. Recognize achievements.

Plan organize administer and lead the operational aspects of the regional Wildlife Program including; budgets work assignments and program performance evaluations. Develop and encourage effective procedures. Implement corrective actions as necessary.

Collect compile and analyze data conduct management actions and report on wildlife inventory monitoring and management activities to the Regional Supervisor Executive Staff and the Game and Fish Commission.

Participate on committees advisory groups process improvement teams and work groups related to wildlife management and Department operations.

Communicate cooperate and collaborate with various federal state county municipal agencies and private interests in developing and implementing activities and policies that benefit wildlife populations wildlife related recreation and the interests of the people of the State of Arizona.

Serve as a technical and informational advisor to the work units programs regional employees public and private entities with respect to wildlife biology and management. Provide training as appropriate.

Conduct fieldwork to administer the wildlife program and implement projects and priorities of the subprograms as necessary.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge of/in: Wildlife science and wildlife management and best practices. Federal state and agency rules regulations policies and procedures. Work supervision principles and leadership techniques including coaching mentoring employee discipline and staff development. Public relations negotiation and customer service principles and techniques. Principles and practices of state of Arizona budget management and procurement. Principles of the Arizona Management System and its application. Public needs and attitudes toward wildlife.

The candidate will have skill in: Planning and executing wildlife related programs. Apply work supervision and leadership techniques including coaching mentoring and staff development. Effectively manage time. Recognize conflicting public values and viewpoints and respond effectively.

The candidate must have the ability to: Apply job-related federal state and agency rules regulations policies and procedures. Apply wildlife science and management best practices as appropriate to supervisory assignment development. Develop and maintain working relationships with the various governmental agencies special interest groups the media and the public. Provide appropriate public relations and customer service within and outside the agency to a variety of individuals and private and public entities. Communicate verbally and in writing. Negotiate with public and private entities and individuals. Work irregular hours including on weekends and holidays and at night. Perform field site visits sometimes in extreme weather and/or isolated conditions. Use various modes of transportation such as planes helicopters horses mules boats four-wheel drive ATVs and specialized equipment common to wildlife work as needed. Ability to apply the principles of the Arizona Management System to the workplace environment and maintain a Regional Wildlife Program Team that reflects these principles.

Working knowledge of federal and state wildlife laws regulations policies and compliance standards.
2-4 years of experience developing implementing or overseeing wildlife study plans or management strategies.
Experience with budget management and procurement.
Experience supervising professional or technical staff.
Experience planning organizing administering and leading the operational aspects and strategic direction of a regional Wildlife Program.

The candidate must have a Bachelors degree in Wildlife Science Wildlife Management Biology Ecology or a closely related field and three years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management.

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current valid state-issued drivers license appropriate to the assignment.

Employment is also 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 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
10 paid holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
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 programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.