Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager

Arizona State Government; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 days’ vacation

12 sick days

10 paid holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Arizona State Retirement System

Superior health care options

Vision care, dental care, pharmacy

Life, disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Many more benefit programs

Job summary

Arizona Game and Fish Department seeks a Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager in Mesa to lead a passionate team of specialists and researchers in complex field and laboratory studies across the state. You will drive strategic planning, set programmatic priorities, and oversee budgets to ensure conservation impact.

This exempt, salary-grade 23 role demands collaboration with state and federal partners, strong leadership, and hands-on wildlife biology expertise to guide initiatives and deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife-related field required.
• Experience supervising wildlife professionals and conducting field studies.
• Ability to develop programs, budgets, and strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor a team of wildlife specialists and subprograms.
• Plan and lead the operational aspects of the regional Wildlife Program.
• Collect, analyze data and report on inventory and management activities.
• Participate in advisory groups and collaborate with agencies and stakeholders.
• Provide training and guidance on wildlife biology and program management.

Skills

Wildlife biology

Team leadership

Budget management

Field studies

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Science/Management/Biology/Ecology

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.

Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager

Job Location:

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED
7200 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85207

Posting Details:

Salary: $60,000 - $75,000
Grade: 23
Closing Date: 10/01/2026

Job Summary:

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR REGIONAL
“Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIV / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 23 / HIRING SALARY RANGE: $60,000 - $75,000
Protecting Arizona’s Wildlife Through Science, Leadership, and Compliance
Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting statewide impact on Arizona’s 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 Arizona's 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. What You’ll 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 you’re ready to make a measurable impact on wildlife conservation, we encourage you to apply and become part of Arizona’s conservation mission!

Job Duties:

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 state—often in remote or rugged terrain—and 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

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.

Selective Preference(s):

• 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.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The candidate must have a Bachelor’s 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 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.

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: 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 Nicole Baker at [e-mail] for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.