Wildlife Area Construction Technician

Arizona Department of Administration; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 49,233,000 - 50,282,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Game and Fish Department seeks a Wildlife Area Construction Technician to support Region VI in Mesa, maintaining wildlife habitats and facilities. You’ll operate machinery, manage irrigation, and assist with habitat improvements to sustain 800+ species and public outdoor access.

This temporary, full-time role requires physical stamina, weekend availability, and willingness to camp in remote locations.

Qualifications

• Experience in habitat management and maintenance.
• Ability to operate and maintain farm and heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of irrigation and wildlife food crops.
• Ability to work irregular hours and camp in remote locations.

Responsibilities

• Restore and Maintain Habitats: Provides assistance in habitat management, monitoring, and improvement projects.
• Manage Infrastructure: Assist in the operation and maintenance of buildings, fences, and irrigation systems across Department-owned properties.
• Master the Machinery: Operate and maintain a variety of equipment, including farm tractors, heavy machinery, ATVs, and small engines.
• Build the Future: Perform essential construction tasks including rough carpentry, cement pouring, and plumbing to improve public-use facilities.
• Engage the Community: Interact with hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, sharing knowledge of the area’s natural history.
• Navigate the Wild: Work across rough terrain and in isolated areas, ensuring the safety and functionality of roads and backcountry facilities.

Skills

Tools and equipment

ATV/UTV operation

Tractors & heavy machinery

Habitat restoration

Construction tasks

Irrigation systems

Public interaction

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Chainsaws

Tractors

Irrigation equipment

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.

Wildlife Area Construction Technician

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED

Mesa Regional Office Address: 7200 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85207
Primary Work Site Address: Robbins Butte Wildlife Area (Robbins Butte Game Rd. and MC85 Buckeye, AZ 85326)

Salary: $17.1820/HR

Grade: 17

Closing Date: 10/01/2026

WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSTRUCTION TECHNICIAN
“Wildlife Area Construction Technician”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT / FULL-TIME / END BY 3/31/2027
FLSA-NON-EXEMPT / GRADE 17 / HOURLY RATE $17.1820/HR

Are you passionate about habitat restoration, land stewardship, and the hands-on work that keeps Arizona’s wild places thriving? The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a dedicated Wildlife Area Construction Technician to help manage and enhance the vital resources of Region VI in Southwest Arizona.

In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will be the boots-on-the-ground force behind the conservation of our state’s diverse landscapes. You will support the Wildlife Area Manager in maintaining the infrastructure and habitats that over 800 species call home. From operating machinery to managing irrigation systems and wildlife food crops, your work ensures that Arizona’s wildlife areas remain productive for nature and accessible for outdoor recreation!

What You’ll Do:

• Restore and Maintain Habitats: Provides assistance in habitat management, monitoring, and improvement projects.
• Manage Infrastructure: Assist in the operation and maintenance of buildings, fences, and irrigation systems across Department-owned properties.
• Master the Machinery: Operate and maintain a variety of equipment, including farm tractors, heavy machinery, ATVs, and small engines.
• Build the Future: Perform essential construction tasks including rough carpentry, cement pouring, and plumbing to improve public-use facilities.
• Engage the Community: Act as a face of the Department by interacting with hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, sharing knowledge of the area’s natural history.
• Navigate the Wild: Work across rough terrain and in isolated areas, ensuring the safety and functionality of roads and backcountry facilities.

The ideal candidate must be physically resilient, capable of lifting over 75 pounds and hiking through Arizona’s geographic and weather extremes. You should be comfortable working irregular hours—including weekends and holidays—and be willing to camp in remote locations to get the job done.

In this position, you will directly contribute to the stewardship of Arizona’s rugged beauty. Your hard work ensures that current and future generations can continue to enjoy fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in a well-managed environment. If you’re ready to apply your technical skills and love for the outdoors to meaningful conservation challenges, we invite you to join us!

Job Duties

This position will serve as staff for Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region VI wildlife area operation and maintenance activities. This position will primarily assist the Wildlife Area Managers on all Department/Commission owned property. Implements the operation and maintenance of wildlife habitat improvements, work unit equipment, infrastructure, public use facilities and other features associated with the Department's wildlife areas in Region VI. The position will be responsible for maintenance of farm equipment, various other small and large engine equipment, landscaping, buildings, fences, irrigation ditches, and roads. This position also interacts with wildlife area visitors; including hunters, self-guided individuals and those participating in organized outdoor activities. It is highly encouraged that the candidate be willing to learn an overall general knowledge of the natural history of the wildlife areas and properties.

This is a temporary appointment expected to end no later than March 31, 2027.

• Conducts day to day operations and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and resources on assigned wildlife areas; completes project records; plants and maintains wildlife food crops and habitat features; recommends and implements corrective actions as necessary.
• Maintains equipment according to prescribed schedules; Maintains roads, fences, water delivery systems, etc. in a good working order; Maintains shop and other out-buildings in clean working order suitable for project functions and activities.
• Prepares some project records and documents such as, equipment maintenance records, supply inventories. and miscellaneous communications and reports. May occasionally conduct procurement and purchasing activities. Completes standard departmental administrative paperwork such as payroll documents.
• Provides assistance in labor and material to other work units and projects as necessary and available. Cooperates with other Regional and Departmental work efforts to integrate the achievement of goals and objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

The candidate will have knowledge of/in: Knowledge of safe and effective use and skill in using a variety of tools and equipment to be used in outdoor construction, e.g., hand and power tools; operation and minor maintenance of a variety of automotive equipment (such as ATV, UTV) and heavy equipment (ie. tractors, loaders, mowers, water trucks, etc.); techniques used in the construction of wildlife habitats and associated structures, devices and areas, including rough carpentry, plumbing and cement pouring and finishing, fence building and maintenance, and mathematics sufficient to perform duties. Knowledge of the purposes and appropriate uses of the wildlife areas in Region VI and the ability to convey this information to the various visitors. Knowledge of farming techniques, and the ability to apply this knowledge to meet wildlife needs. Knowledge of various construction activities to accomplish ranching, operations, and construction tasks. Knowledge of Department policy and procedure of the Region VI work unit and headquarters. Knowledge of basic record keeping, time and travel reporting, and expenditure procedures.

The candidate must have skills in: using a variety of tools and equipment, used in outdoor construction, e.g., hand and power tools, chainsaws, tractors, UTV; operation and minor maintenance of a variety of automotive equipment; applying techniques used in the construction of wildlife habitats and associated structures, devices and areas, including plumbing and cement pouring and finishing, fence building and maintenance and rough carpentry. Skills in cultivation of crops and native forage production including irrigation techniques. Skills in operating and maintaining farming and ranching equipment and machinery. Skills in the maintenance of facilities such as roads, ponds, irrigation systems, buildings, and croplands.

The candidate must have the ability to: perform a variety of construction, maintenance and operational needs at the wildlife areas. Examples include fence construction and maintenance, landscaping, road maintenance, and building maintenance in a manner that maintains the wildlife areas in a safe and presentable condition to the public. Ability to apply mathematics to compute job layout, distance and angle calculations, and to determine the amount and size of materials required for a work project; use calculators, computers, and other office equipment; hike, backpack, and lift and carry over 75 pounds for