GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address:  5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Salary Range: $56,098 - $100,989 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 11/22/2026

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR STATEWIDE
“Big Game Management Program Supervisor”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / TERRESTRIAL BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-Exempt / GRADE 24 / SALARY RANGE $56,098 - $100,989
CLOSING DATE: 11/22/2026

The Big Game Management Program Supervisor position serves as the statewide program manager for Big Game Program for the Department. The Big Game Management Program Supervisor develops short and long-term goals, objectives, and program priorities for the ten big game species and predatory and fur-bearing mammals.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Description of Duties:

- Generation of the hunt guidelines, hunt recommendations, harvest schedules, translocation projects, and species management plans.
- Oversees a Department budget of over $2 million annually as well as secures partner grants and donations to help fund big game management efforts.
- Developing and reviewing budget requests, annual work plans, performance reports, project proposals, and other Big Game Program administrative responsibilities.
- Supervises the Game Data Manager, Predator-Furbearer/Large Carnivore, and Wildlife Science Coordinator positions, as well as plays a leadership role for the Regional Terrestrial Program Manager and Specialist positions, setting priorities for Big Game Program, conducting performance evaluations for direct reports, and establishing goals and objectives that line up with strategic and operational plans and objectives.
- Presents to the Commission the Hunt Guidelines and annual Hunt Recommendations.
- Serve as the Department's primary public liaison for big game, predator and fur-bearing mammals, and vetting our big game management priorities.
- Collaboration with sportsmen groups, conservation NGOs, and the public.
- Currently serves as technical staff for several national and regional wildlife committees.
- Participates on various Rule Review/Rulemaking teams and other Department teams as appropriate.
- Participates in and sometimes presents at public and professional meetings.

The candidate will have knowledge of Arizona big game, predatory and fur-bearing wildlife and associated habitats; southwest ecosystems, wildlife biology, application of management and conservation principles and concepts. Knowledge of administration, training, project planning, communications, budgeting and interpersonal relations techniques; knowledge of state and federal wildlife laws, regulations, policies and procedures, Commission and Department policies and administrative procedures. Computer operations, including data input, word processing, database, and spreadsheet management; operations requiring rule, policy, procedure, and statutory regulations; policy knowledge in procurement, execution of cooperative agreements and management of program funds.

The candidate will have skills in project management; budget tracking; database use and development written and verbal communication; interpretation of biological data, to include ecological and statistical evaluations; coordination, organization, leadership. Outreach and negotiation skills and grant writing experience.

The candidate will have the ability to work independently with minimal instruction, yet remain well informed on agency concerns and positions; set priorities; deal with diverse customers and perspectives; build relationships with external partners; lead and motivate a team; adapt to constantly changing priorities and work assignments; gather and use scientific literature, gray literature or internal and external expertise; negotiate agreements, contracts, and all other documents that may be needed to explain agreed upon obligations of the Department and their partners in any access or habitat restoration partnership; determine wildlife benefits from projects proposals; develop and maintain strong relationships with wildlife conservation agencies.

The candidate must have a Bachelors or advanced degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and three years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research or 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).

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

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 Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.