Wildlife Center Coordinator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Wildlife Center Coordinator at the Arizona Game and Fish Department oversees care and husbandry for a collection of captive wildlife used in educational programs. You will supervise staff and interns, coordinate veterinary care, and ensure safety and proper protocols for animal handling and transportation.

Responsibilities include leading training, preparing diets, arranging enrichment, and delivering outreach presentations both in person and virtually, while working within budgetary

Qualifications

• Experience with captive wildlife care and husbandry.
• Ability to supervise staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Strong communication and public outreach skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure care of captive wildlife collection, including diet, enrichment, and veterinary coordination.
• Supervise staff and volunteers to support animal care and education programs.
• Maintain records on animal health, maintenance and usage; manage on-site safety.

Skills

Animal care

Staff supervision

Public outreach

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Zoology, or related

Tools

Vehicles

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 Center Coordinator

Job Location:

Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Posting Details:

• Hiring Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000
• Grade: 22
• Closing Date: 11/15/2026

Job Summary:

PROGRAM MANAGER
“Wildlife Center Coordinator”
INFO, EDUCATION & WL RECREATION DIVISION / EDUCATION BRANCH /
PHOENIX, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- Exempt / SALARY GRADE 22 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $60,000-$75,000
CLOSING DATE: 11/15/2026

The Wildlife Center Coordinator is primarily responsible for ensuring the appropriate training and husbandry for the Department's captive wildlife collection. Supervises the training, handling, husbandry, equipment, and travel logistics for a collection of non releasable birds, mammals and reptiles used in educational programs. Daily live wildlife responsibilities include but are not limited to: diet preparation; feeding and watering; enclosure cleaning and minor repair; animal training and handling; scheduling veterinary visits; and providing behavioral enrichment.

Job Duties:

• Ensures appropriate care of the Department's captive wildlife collection, including but not limited to: diet preparation; feeding and watering: medical treatments, evaluations, and examinations; enclosure furnishings; handling and training; enclosure cleaning; scheduling veterinary visits; and behavioral enrichment.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, monitors, coaches and evaluates staff/interns (2-6) and volunteers (<15) to meet the needs of the animal care, education outreach programs. Train department staff and volunteers to handle animals for use in educational programs.
• Supervise the training, handling, husbandry, equipment, and traveling cages for a collection of non-releasable birds, mammals and reptiles.
• Responsible for knowing and abiding by proper handling, transportation, presentation, and interaction protocols for a diverse collection of animals in preparation for and during programs.
• Evaluate dietary requirements and effectively adjust diet and nutritional requirements in collaboration with the Curator.
• Develop, implement and supervise safe protocols for all aspects of care for the assigned animal collection including sanitation, health, nutrition, behavior, and behavioral enrichment.
• Collaborate with veterinary staff on the medical care of the animal collection. Maintain records on animal health, maintenance, and usage.
• Manage inventory and purchase goods and services staying within State procurement guidelines.
• Maintain assigned equipment such as vehicles, computers, and structures. Supervise external vendors completing on site maintenance.
• Serve as on site safety and emergency staff for potential evacuation of the animal collection.
• Provide media interviews, including print, radio, television and social media. Deliver quality wildlife education outreach presentations to audiences, both in person and virtually.
• Operate within an established annual budget.
• Participate in the development of annual work plans, collection planning, metric development and provide updates for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

The candidate must have knowledge of animal operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, training, public outreach presentations, behavioral enrichment, and captive animal husbandry; delivery of educational programs; supervision; State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to wildlife; budget and time management. The candidate will have skills in training staff on the proper handling and presentation techniques for the animal collection; enclosure design and modification; excellent verbal communication; delivering educational programs while handling live wildlife; budget management; basic first aid and CPR; conflict resolution; and writing. The candidate must have the ability to promote and represent the Department and Wildlife Center; develop, conduct, evaluate, and modify animal training programs; strong analytical and problem solving; produce detailed oriented work products and by required deadlines; and work independently for extended periods of time, with little or no supervision.

Selective Preference(s):

The preferred candidate will have five (5) years of experience managing and directing the care of a collection of live wildlife, handling live wildlife used in educational programs, and possess a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Zoology, or related degree or higher learning pertaining to exotic animal care in captivity, biology, zoology, conservation biology, or similar.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

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