GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address: 506 North Grant Street, Suite L, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Hiring hourly range: $17.45 - $20.50 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: 07/12/2026

WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN
“Fisheries Technician”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / RESEARCH BRANCH / FLAGSTAFF, AZ BASED
FLSA- Non-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 18 / HIRING RANGE $17.45 - $20.50
CLOSING DATE: 07/12/2026

The Fisheries Technician is a full-time fish biologist for the Colorado River, primarily responsible for field monitoring and research at Lees Ferry and the Grand Canyon. Key duties include sampling and tagging fish, conducting creel surveys, managing field equipment, and analyzing remote camera imagery, in wilderness settings.

Position Overview & Duties
Location: Fieldwork primarily takes place along and on the Colorado River, at Lees Ferry and within the Grand Canyon.
Fieldwork: Must be prepared to live and camp in remote wilderness environments for up to 3 weeks at a time with limited communication.
Fish Biology: Sample aquatic wildlife using electrofishing, hoop nets, and angling. Identify, measure, scan, and tag various fish species. Conduct creel surveys. Maintain remote PIT tag antennas arrays.
Data Management: Enter, process and summarize scientific data using software like Access, Excel, ImageJ, R, and SQLite database interfaces.
Crew Leadership: Lead and direct field assistants, interns, and volunteers during data collection and project implementations.

Qualifications
Education: A Bachelor's degree in fisheries science or a closely related field is highly preferred.
Field Experience: Experience monitoring fish on large rivers and camping in remote areas (particularly the Grand Canyon) is strongly desired.
Skills:
Basic fish capture techniques and native fish biology.
Motorboat operation, remote navigation, and equipment repair.
Basic first aid and wilderness survival techniques.

Requirements:
Ability to work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays in primitive camping locations.
Must possess a current, valid, class-appropriate driver's license and pass driver record checks.
Employment is contingent upon a post-offer medical/physical exam and passing the E-Verify eligibility check.

Major duties include:
- Sampling fish (via electrofishing, hoop nets, angling, other methods), processing fish (identifying, measuring, scanning and tagging)
- Entering, processing, and summarizing data utilizing a variety of programs including: Access, Excel, ImageJ, R, SQLite database interfaces, and others;
- Maintaining, and preparing scientific and sampling equipment utilized for fish monitoring trips (e.g. equipment logistics), and remote PIT tag antenna arrays.
- Conducting creel surveys and image analyses from game camera(s) and may serve as a field crew leader and direct other assistants (interns and volunteers) in the collection of field data and general implementation of projects
- May also assist with inter/intra-agency projects and works as part of the larger Research Branch team to accomplish the branch’s goals and operational objectives which include, but are not limited to, outreach, training, and providing expertise and support to other work units in the Department
- Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must have knowledge of basic fish capture techniques, basic biology, particularly native fishes, scientific method and analytical thought, professional standard data collection and analysis, and basic report preparation methods. The candidate will have skill in handling, tagging and measurement of various aquatic wildlife, ability to navigate in remote wilderness settings, operating a motor boat, use of various field equipment to include proper operation, maintenance and basic repair, basic first aid and survival techniques. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing and be able to work alone or as part of a team. The candidate will have the ability to work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays, in remote locations for extended time in areas where primitive camping may be required and work independently.

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in fisheries science or a closely related field. They will also have experience with monitoring fish on large rivers in remote areas camping for extended periods of time, particularly within the Grand Canyon.

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.