GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

FIELD OPERATIONS/ LAW ENFORCEMENT / PHOENIX BASED
5000 W. Carefree Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85086

Salary: $23.0770/HR 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: 5/17/2026

DISPATCHER
FIELD OPERATIONS/ LAW ENFORCEMENT / PHOENIX BASED
FLSA-NON-EXEMPT / GRADE 18 / HIRING HOURLY RATE $23.0770/HR

As a Game and Fish Dispatcher, you are the critical link between the public and our mission to conserve and protect our natural resources. When a citizen encounters a mountain lion, an officer calls for backup in a remote canyon, or a wildfire threatens a protected habitat, you are the one who makes the difference. As a Dispatcher, you are the primary link between the public and the boots on the ground protecting our state’s precious wildlife. This isn't just a dispatch job; it’s a high-stakes opportunity to serve as the "eye in the sky" for officers in the field, ensuring the safety of wildlife, habitats, and citizens alike.

Why This Role Matters
The Dispatcher position is a cornerstone of Arizona’s conservation infrastructure. This role is not simply about relaying messages; it is about managing the delicate balance of public safety and field officer security. You are the steward of our communication lines—evaluating urgency in real-time, deciphering locations in rugged terrain, and providing the vital criminal justice data that keeps our officers safe in the field. By serving as the central hub for inter-agency coordination, you ensure that every call for service—from wildlife sightings to law enforcement violations—is handled with technical precision and a commitment to the Department's mission.

If you are a calm, decisive communicator with a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to public safety then we want you to apply!

The Dispatcher position is an important and vital asset in the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This position provides for the first and primary link between the general public, agencies and private organizations that wish to contact Department personnel, request service or are in need of emergency response due to wildlife sightings, interactions, wildlife attacks or report past, present or ongoing fish and game violations.

Due to the 24/7 operational needs of this role, this position does not allow for remote work or scheduled breaks. Shifts will vary depending on staffing needs and will include weekends and holidays to ensure continuous coverage.

Major duties will include:

• Answers, evaluates and prioritizes incoming telephone calls, communicates effectively with various callers to obtain complete information to determine urgency and need for dispatching game and fish personnel. Dispatches department personnel for calls for service, receives requests for vital information from field units, provides backup and assistance.

• Operates a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and multiple video display terminals and coordinates communications between the public, Game and Fish units in the field, and other communications personnel independently. Position involves dealing directly and verbally with the public and Game and Fish officers in what may be life-threatening situations.

• Reads and interprets maps for the public, field personnel and other law enforcement/criminal justice agencies in order to assist in locating certain geographical areas using an Arizona state map, U.S. atlas, city and county maps, and various computer mapping systems. Interprets telephone or radio call locations from maps by applying knowledge of state geography in order to provide appropriate and timely assistance.

• Performs record inquiries (e.g. registration, driver's license, drivers history, wanted person, stolen property, etc.); provide criminal history information from the Arizona Criminal History systems; provides national criminal history ; enters warrants into manual and automated systems. Inputs, updates, requests, transmits and queries information from a variety of sources to maintain current accurate records.

• Monitors equipment, such as alarm systems, video monitoring system, card access system, 24-hour recorder system, and dispatch equipment to ensure they are working properly. Complex camera security system to include entrance ways to allow access to employees and visitors at Department properties located throughout the state.

• Performs tasks such as the entry of criminal and civil citations in the departments records management system.

• Attend continuing education, course and conference attendance to enhance employee skills and abilities and participate in training activities relevant to the job function.

• Coordinates requests for assistance in fire suppression through the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to ensure that the Department will be reimbursed for activities on the fire in a timely manner.

• In the absence of a supervisor and upon completion of training, this position may provide support and guidance to less-experienced Dispatchers.

• Other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge and understanding in/of: fundamental principles and processes for providing customer service and customer needs assessment, working knowledge of appropriate dispatching procedures, and use of communication equipment such as radio consoles, telephones, and computerized criminal justice warrant procedures, knowledge of Arizona geography and topography, as well as city, county and state multi jurisdictional boundaries and computerized mapping system.

The candidate must be skilled to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing, use of computer/keyboard devices to retrieve and enter information, effective decision making/problem solving based on a limited amount of information in crisis or emergency situations.

The candidate must be able to maintain confidentiality of information, handle varying and unpredictable situations, including emergency and crisis situations, work independently and multi-task and prioritize tasks, establish, develop and maintain courteous and effective working relationships, and read, understand and interpret moderately difficult to complex written information (e.g. policies, procedures, rules, regulations, statutes, etc.). The ability to have attention to details is critical to this position. Candidates must be able to learn state game and fish laws, rules and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have an Associates Degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Police Science, Wildlife Management or at least one year in Law Enforcement or 911 call center experience. Minimum typing speed of 35 wpm.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

Candidates must possess Arizona Criminal Justice Information Systems Terminal Operator Certification within 6 months of hire date.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply.

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 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.