GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED
9140 E. 28th Street Yuma, AZ 85365

Salary: $48,000-$55,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 2/16/2026

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST
“Aquatic Wildlife Specialist 2”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $48,000-$55,000

Arizona’s rivers, springs, lakes, and desert waterways are home to some of the most unique and vulnerable aquatic wildlife in North America. At the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), we’re looking for a passionate Aquatics Wildlife Specialist II, to help protect these ecosystems and ensure thriving aquatic wildlife populations for generations to come.

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to be on the front lines of conservation with the only state agency responsible for managing and protecting over 800 wildlife species across Arizona. If you’re driven by science, stewardship, and real-world impact, we want you on our team!

Why This Role Matters
As an Aquatic Wildlife Specialist II, your work will directly influence the future of Arizona’s sportfish and aquatic wildlife. You’ll study aquatic ecosystems, assess human impacts, and help guide conservation actions—including sensitive and endangered species. From managing sportfish populations to evaluating water development projects, your expertise will shape how Arizona balances conservation with recreation and growth.

You’ll collaborate with biologists, land managers, tribal, state, and federal partners, private landowners, and local communities—bringing science-based solutions to complex water and wildlife challenges.

What You’ll Do
• Design and conduct field investigations, including specialized fish survey methods and water quality assessments
• Lead aquatic wildlife conservation efforts by planning and implementing population, habitat, and limnological monitoring projects
• Evaluate water and habitat projects and recommend mitigation strategies to protect aquatic wildlife
• Analyze data and communicate results through reports, presentations, and scientific conferences
• Supervise, mentor, and train staff, interns, and volunteers, building the next generation of conservation professionals
• Coordinate across agencies and communities to advance shared conservation goals
• Manage equipment and field operations in dynamic and sometimes rugged environments

What We’re Looking For
You’re a science-driven conservation professional who thrives both in the field and in collaborative settings. You bring strong technical skills, leadership ability, and a commitment to protecting aquatic ecosystems—even when the work is challenging. You’ll need:
• A Bachelor of Science in fisheries biology, fisheries management, wildlife management, or a related field
• Two years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research or management
• Strong skills in data analysis, report writing, and public communication
• Comfort working outdoors in remote, extreme, or rugged conditions
• Ability to operate vehicles, watercraft, UTVs, and specialized aquatic survey equipment

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 aquatic wildlife conservation, we encourage you to apply and become part of Arizona’s conservation mission!

Serves as a Regional Aquatic Wildlife Specialist II with expertise in aquatic wildlife conservation. Evaluates aquatic species, habitats, and the effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems. Leads and supports fish and wildlife management actions, reviews water-related projects for potential impacts to aquatic and endangered species, and recommends conservation strategies and mitigation measures. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop habitat plans that support healthy, sustainable aquatic wildlife populations for the future.

Major duties will include:

• Plans, coordinates, and implements aquatic wildlife population, habitat, and limnological monitoring and investigations. Implements surveys to evaluate sportfish populations, assesses water quality, and reviews fish stocking permit applications. Utilizes specialized methods, techniques, and equipment.

• Analyzes data. Writes trip, summary, quarterly, and annual reports. Prepares materials for presentations to scientific conferences, department personnel, other agencies, general public, and/or the media. Provides consultation and technical advice within specialty areas and is expected to make public presentations.

• Hires, supervises, mentors, and trains subordinates, interns, and/or volunteers. Leads subordinate staff to complete work projects. May oversee specific work programs and/or project personnel and equipment and organizing data collection field trips.

• Plans and assesses staff and equipment needs; operates, maintains, and repairs a variety of specialized equipment common to program work.
Coordinates with co-workers, Regional personnel, other Regions, State and Federal agencies (including State Lands Department, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service), private land owners, local communities, angler groups, and general public.

• Other duties as assigned, as relates to the position.

The position requires knowledge of: wildlife science and wildlife management and best practices; Job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures; Scientific data collection procedures and report writing techniques; work supervision and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring and staff development.

Candidates must be skilled in application of fisheries and aquatic species management techniques, computer data processing, camping and surviving outdoors, traversing challenging terrain, equipment maintenance and repair, operating vehicles, watercraft, UTV’s and aquatic species survey equipment, applied data gathering and standardized sampling techniques, oral and written communication and public relations techniques.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to apply wildlife science and best practices as appropriate to assignment, e.g., habitat evaluations, field investigation, species identification, species habitat requirement, ecological support systems, etc; Apply scientific data collection procedures and report writing techniques; apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, and private and public groups; Learn and use specialized equipment common to wildlife work, various modes of transportation, basic survival techniques, and works irregular hours. Develop and maintain working relationships with the public and various governmental and special interest groups. Work outdoors in extreme and/or isolated conditions.

Two years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management. Previous experience operating watercraft and trailering equipment. An advanced degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of required experience.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

The candidate must have a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries management, fisheries biology, wildlife management or a closely related field and two years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management. An advanced degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year or required experience.

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

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

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).

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

* 13 days of vacation
* 12 sick days with accumulation benefits
* 10 paid holidays
* 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 pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

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

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance.