GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

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

Salary: $48,400 - $55,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 8/2/2026

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST 2
“Game Specialist”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $48,400 - $55,000


Protecting Our Wild Places: Join the Frontlines of Wildlife Conservation!

Are you ready to turn your passion for wildlife biology into massive, on-the-ground impact? We are looking for a dynamic, field-tested Game Specialist to join our dedicated team. If you thrive in rugged terrains, love scientific discovery, and want to lead critical conservation efforts, your next adventure starts here!

Our ecosystems are facing rapid changes, making the protection of wildlife more urgent than ever. In this pivotal role, you will be the boots on the ground and the guiding force behind regional conservation priorities. The data you collect from the field—whether counting herds from a helicopter or tracking elusive species using telemetry—directly shapes harvest strategies, habitat restoration, and official state wildlife policies. You won't just study nature; you will actively preserve it for generations to come.

What You’ll Do
• Lead Aerial & Ground Surveys: Conduct thrilling population censuses from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
• Track & Handle Wildlife: Safely capture, mark, and monitor species utilizing advanced telemetry equipment, remote sensors, and GPS tech.
• Shape Hunting & Harvest Strategies: Coordinate, evaluate, and edit critical regional hunt recommendations.
• Restore Vital Habitats: Build and maintain remote water catchments to sustain wildlife through harsh seasons.
• Collaborate and Advocate: Work directly with federal land agencies to review environmental compliance papers and craft official responses to wildlife issues.
• Mentor Future Conservationists: Lead dedicated field personnel and serve as the lead mentor for our summer intern cohorts.

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

Primary duties include planning, organizing, training and conducting wildlife surveys using a variety of techniques, coordinating and editing hunt recommendations, conducting biological sampling and hunter checkouts, and completing habitat evaluations. The position plays a lead role in regional coordination, instruction and implementation of terrestrial wildlife branch project priorities and techniques; along with habitat and wildlife project implementation. Develops work plans, analyses data, prepares environmental compliance and grant proposals, expends funds and coordinates manpower needs ensuring adherence to Federal Aid and Department guidelines. Works directly with land management agencies and jurisdictions to accomplish wildlife related activities. Captures and handles wildlife following standardized protocols and may assist on various statewide research projects. Acts as a lead for interns during summer internships.

Major duties will include:

• Collect and compile biological data on terrestrial wildlife species populations to formulate, initiate, coordinate, train on techniques and implement wildlife surveys and research projects: prepare reports on wildlife management finds and activities; maintain all regional wildlife management records and data. Assist the region with monitoring water catchments, maintenance, and project builds.

• Coordinate with outside agencies and organizations on wildlife management issues and concerns: prepare official Department responses and briefings relative to wildlife management issues in the region; review and comment on documents from within and outside the agency related to wildlife issues.

• Formulate regional terrestrial wildlife management goals and objectives; review terrestrial wildlife harvest strategies and season dates; based on wildlife objectives, formulate and recommend development and maintenance projects. Reviews, evaluates, and edits work products (e.g. correspondence, data, reports, hunt recommendations, and publications) of subordinates and co-workers.

• Act as a terrestrial wildlife management advisor for the Region; respond to public and agency requests for information; analyze and formulate recommendations to address game species translocation activities as related to nuisance wildlife. Review applications and issue special licenses relative to live wildlife rules and laws; investigate and ensure compliance with live wildlife regulations.

• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget request for regional terrestrial wildlife management activities; expend funds and coordinate project effort to ensure adherence to Federal Aid guidelines and appropriate adherence to Department objectives and goals; provides consultation and technical advice in evaluation of program effectiveness.

• Act as a lead to technician level staff and interns. May oversee specific work programs and/or projects, including scheduling project personnel and equipment and organizing data collection field trips.

• Attends staff and project planning meetings and performs other duties as assigned.

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

Candidate must have knowledge of/in: basic understanding of ecological principals, scientific study design, statistical analysis, report writing, basic mapping techniques, wildlife species, habitat, and management principals; wildlife inventory and population management techniques; techniques of wildlife capture, handling and marking; nuisance wildlife abatement techniques; Department, State and Federal laws, policies and roles; public needs and attitudes towards wildlife; scientific data collection procedures, report writing and basic mapping techniques.

Candidate should have skills in: wildlife identification and terrestrial species management techniques; designing and analyzing scientific studies; aerial wildlife survey experience; data collection and processing; mathematics and statistics; use of telemetry units, remote monitoring equipment and software, GPS units, and GIS or similar data processing; camping and surviving outdoors; traversing difficult terrain; equipment maintenance and repair; operating 4x4 vehicles; written and oral communication; customer service and public relations techniques.

Candidate must have the ability to: work independently or as part of a team; to plan and use time effectively and efficiently; to effectively fly and conduct surveys in fixed-wing planes and helicopters; develop working relationships with public, federal and state agencies, and special interest groups; to recognize conflicting public values and viewpoints and respond appropriately; Work irregular hours, including weekends and overnight in extreme weather conditions and isolated areas.

• An advanced degree in wildlife sciences or closely related field may substitute for 1 year experience and will be helpful in study design, wildlife monitoring, and analysis of game management activities.
• Experience in aerial surveying, monitoring and/or aerial telemetry.
• Skills in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for habitat mapping, population tracking, and managing complex spatial databases.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and operate safely in remote, primitive field conditions, including experience with 4WD vehicles and trailers.
• Previous experience or comfort with fixed-wing aerial surveys to conduct population censuses and monitor radiocollared animals.

The candidate must have a Bachelors or advanced degree in wildlife and/or fisheries sciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university and two years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/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 Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.