Wildlife Area Construction Technician

Arizona State Government; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Game and Fish Department in Mesa, AZ seeks a Wildlife Area Construction Technician for a temporary, full-time role in Region VI. Base site at Robbins Butte area, salary $17.1820/hr, ending by 3/31/2027. This position supports habitat improvements and public-use facilities at wildlife areas in Region VI.

The ideal candidate is physically capable, lifts 75+ pounds, works weekends/holidays, camps in remote locations, and collaborates with field teams to safeguard wildlife resources.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe and effective use of outdoor construction tools and equipment.
• Ability to hike, backpack, and lift over 75 pounds on rough terrain.
• Willingness to camp and work irregular hours, including weekends/holidays.
• Experience in habitat construction and maintenance of wildlife areas.

Responsibilities

• Restore and maintain wildlife habitats and related features.
• Operate and maintain farm tractors, ATVs, heavy equipment.
• Repair and maintain roads, fences, irrigation systems on Department properties.
• Interact with wildlife area visitors and assist in public use facilities.

Skills

Tools & equipment use

Carpentry

Plumbing

Fence maintenance

Irrigation techniques

Heavy machinery operation

Math calculations

Wildlife habitat knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Tools

ATV operation

UTV operation

Tractor operation

Farm equipment maintenance

Power tools

Chainsaws

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

Job Location:

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)

Posting Details

Salary: $17.1820/HR

Grade: 17

Closing Date: 10/01/2026

Job Summary

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.

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 extended periods over rough terrain; camp and survive in isolated areas in Arizona’s geographic and weather extremes; learn and apply federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures appropriate to the assignment; potentially work irregular hours including weekends and holidays. Ability to retain current records on equipment maintenance needs and ability to perform routine maintenance on that equipment. Ability to interact with wildlife area visitors in a professional and informative manner that adds to the visitor's experience.

Selective Preference(s):

The preferred candidate will have a high school diploma. Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

Pre-Employment Requirements

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).

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.