Big Game Management Program Supervisor

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 56,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

ASRS retirement

Health care options

Vision and dental care

Disability insurance

Job summary

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a Wildlife Specialist Supervisor statewide to lead the Big Game Management Program. This exempt role develops goals and priorities for ten big game species and related predators, manages a multi-million dollar budget, and collaborates with partners to drive conservation and hunting initiatives.

Remote work within Arizona may be available; a Bachelor's degree in wildlife/fisheries and three years of professional wildlife experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or closely related field.
• Three years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research or management.
• Possession and ability to retain a current valid state driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develop short and long-term goals and priorities for the Big Game Program statewide.
• Oversee a budget of over $2 million and secure grants/donations.
• Lead supervisory staff and set program priorities aligned with plans.
• Present to the Commission on guidelines and recommendations.
• Serve as liaison with sportsmen groups, NGOs and the public.

Skills

Wildlife management

Budget management

Project management

Leadership

Outreach & negotiation

Grant writing

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's in wildlife or fisheries

Tools

Database management

Spreadsheet management

Word processing

Job description

GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Join the only state agency in Arizona responsible for conserving and protecting more than 800 wildlife species. Be part of a passionate group of people who want to make a positive impact on outdoor recreation in Arizona by managing resources for safe, compatible opportunities for current and future generations. From fishing, boating and off-highway vehicle use to shooting sports, hunting and wildlife watching, Arizona Game and Fish supports it all. Our biologists use the best available science in their management actions, and our wildlife managers are on the ground in your communities making a difference every day. Opportunities abound beyond the field at AZGFD, so check us out and see what we’re all about! Consider joining our workforce today. AZGFD celebrates the diversity of Arizona's people, landscapes and of course, wildlife. However you choose to enjoy Arizona’s wildlife and wild places, the outdoors is open for all. The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages fish and wildlife in Arizona and under the authority of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, creates and implements scientific methods and regulations to effectively manage fish and wildlife habitat via conservation, enforcement, hunting, fishing, watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation, and shooting sports. The Arizona Game and Fish Department dedicates itself to excellence, values its employees and supports a culture of stewardship, teamwork and partnerships.

Job Location:

Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Posting Details:

Salary Range: $56,098 - $100,989

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 11/22/2026

Job Summary:

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR STATEWIDE “Big Game Management Program Supervisor” WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / TERRESTRIAL BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED FLSA-Exempt / GRADE 24 / SALARY RANGE $56,098 - $100,989

CLOSING DATE: 11/22/2026

The Big Game Management Program Supervisor position serves as the statewide program manager for Big Game Program for the Department. The Big Game Management Program Supervisor develops short and long-term goals, objectives, and program priorities for the ten big game species and predatory and fur-bearing mammals.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Description of Duties:

• Generation of the hunt guidelines, hunt recommendations, harvest schedules, translocation projects, and species management plans.
• Oversees a Department budget of over $2 million annually as well as secures partner grants and donations to help fund big game management efforts.
• Developing and reviewing budget requests, annual work plans, performance reports, project proposals, and other Big Game Program administrative responsibilities.
• Supervises the Game Data Manager, Predator-Furbearer/Large Carnivore, and Wildlife Science Coordinator positions, as well as plays a leadership role for the Regional Terrestrial Program Manager and Specialist positions, setting priorities for Big Game Program, conducting performance evaluations for direct reports, and establishing goals and objectives that line up with strategic and operational plans and objectives.
• Present to the Commission the Hunt Guidelines and annual Hunt Recommendations.
• Serve as the Department's primary public liaison for big game, predator and fur-bearing mammals, and vetting our big game management priorities.
• Collaboration with sportsmen groups, conservation NGOs, and the public.
• Currently serves as technical staff for several national and regional wildlife committees.
• Participates on various Rule Review/Rulemaking teams and other Department teams as appropriate.
• Participates in and sometimes presents at public and professional meetings.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

The candidate will have knowledge of Arizona big game, predatory and fur-bearing wildlife and associated habitats; southwest ecosystems, wildlife biology, application of management and conservation principles and concepts. Knowledge of administration, training, project planning, communications, budgeting and interpersonal relations techniques; knowledge of state and federal wildlife laws, regulations, policies and procedures, Commission and Department policies and administrative procedures. Computer operations, including data input, word processing, database, and spreadsheet management; operations requiring rule, policy, procedure, and statutory regulations; policy knowledge in procurement, execution of cooperative agreements and management of program funds.

The candidate will have skills in project management; budget tracking; database use and development written and verbal communication; interpretation of biological data, to include ecological and statistical evaluations; coordination, organization, leadership. Outreach and negotiation skills and grant writing experience.

The candidate will have the ability to work independently with minimal instruction, yet remain well informed on agency concerns and positions; set priorities; deal with diverse customers and perspectives; build relationships with external partners; lead and motivate a team; adapt to constantly changing priorities and work assignments; gather and use scientific literature, gray literature or internal and external expertise; negotiate agreements, contracts, and all other documents that may be needed to explain agreed upon obligations of the Department and their partners in any access or habitat restoration partnership; determine wildlife benefits from projects proposals; develop and maintain strong relationships with wildlife conservation agencies.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The candidate must have a Bachelors or advanced degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and three years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research or management.

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

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

Driver’s License Requirements.

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

Benefits:

• 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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement:

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

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at [e-mail] for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.