Habitat Evaluations and Lands Specialist
- 540904
- KINGMAN
- GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
- Full-time
- Closing at: May 31 2026 - 23:55 MST
GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
Join the only state agency in Arizona responsible for conserving and protecting more than 800 wildlife species. Be part of a passionate group of people who want to make a positive impact on outdoor recreation in Arizona by managing resources for safe, compatible opportunities for current and future generations. From fishing, boating and off-highway vehicle use to shooting sports, hunting and wildlife watching, Arizona Game and Fish supports it all. Our biologists use the best available science in their management actions, and our wildlife managers are on the ground in your communities making a difference every day. Opportunities abound beyond the field at AZGFD, so check us out and see what we’re all about! Consider joining our workforce today. AZGFD celebrates the diversity of Arizona's people, landscapes and of course, wildlife. However you choose to enjoy Arizona’s wildlife and wild places, the outdoors is open for all.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages fish and wildlife in Arizona and under the authority of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, creates and implements scientific methods and regulations to effectively manage fish and wildlife habitat via conservation, enforcement, hunting, fishing, watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation, and shooting sports. The Arizona Game and Fish Department dedicates itself to excellence, values its employees and supports a culture of stewardship, teamwork and partnerships.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.
Habitat Evaluations and Lands Specialist
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 3 / KINGMAN, ARIZONA BASED
5325 N. Stockton Hill Rd, Kingman, AZ 86409
Salary: $48,000 - $55,000
Grade: 21
Closing Date: 5/31/2026
WILDLIFE SPECIALIST II
“Habitat Evaluations and Lands Specialist”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 3 / KINGMAN, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $48,000-$55,000
Are you ready to be the definitive voice for Arizona’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on? The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a visionary Habitat Evaluations and Lands Specialist to bridge the gap between critical conservation science and essential state development. Operating out of our Kingman office, you will serve as a frontline advocate—analyzing complex land and water projects, deploying advanced GIS mapping to protect endangered species, and negotiating mitigation strategies with federal and private stakeholders. If you possess a degree in wildlife sciences, two years of professional field management experience, and a passion for conducting rugged field evaluations across Arizona’s iconic landscapes, apply today to leave a permanent, positive footprint on our state's natural legacy.
The Impact You Will Make
As a vital voice for Arizona's natural heritage, you will directly safeguard the state's vulnerable ecosystems and diverse wildlife populations for future generations. Your scientific evaluations, field data, and regulatory advocacy will serve as the shield that protects critical habitats from unsustainable human encroachment. By auditing sprawling infrastructure plans, brokering crucial environmental compromises, and managing vital lands alongside the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP), you will shape the literal landscape of wildlife-oriented recreation and ecological preservation across Arizona.
What You’ll Do
• Evaluate & Advocate: Review, analyze, and critique complex land and water project proposals to identify potential adverse impacts on fish, wildlife, and endangered species.
• Draft Defensive Mitigation: Author definitive agency position letters, environmental impact reports, and legally enforceable mitigation strategies based on state and federal laws.
• Deploy Spatial Solutions: Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay construction footprints against critical habitats, producing standardized maps to guide planning teams.
• Conduct Rugged Fieldwork: Lead remote field inspections across extreme Arizona terrain via 4WD vehicles, ATVs, and watercraft to survey flora, fauna, and habitat health.
• Negotiate For Wildlife: Represent the Arizona Game and Fish Department in interdisciplinary planning sessions, resolving intense resource conflicts with federal, state, and private entities.
• Drive Restoration: Design, coordinate, and execute hands-on habitat restoration and enhancement projects to secure resilient ecological support systems.
What You Bring
• Conservation Roots: A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in wildlife/fisheries science or a closely related natural resource field, backed by at least 2 years of professional wildlife research or fisheries management experience.
• Southwest Expertise: Deep knowledge of Arizona’s unique ecosystems and wildlife management principles, including job-related federal, state, and agency rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• The "Human" Element: Exceptional skills in conflict resolution and the ability to negotiate consensus among diverse stakeholders, private entities, and federal, state, and local agencies while advocating for wildlife conservation.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency in GIS software and technical equipment (including GPS locators, agency radios, and digital cameras) to plot, track, and evaluate land and water project footprints against critical habitats.
• Field Resilience: The capacity and physical capability to conduct rugged field inspections across extreme, isolated terrain using various transportation modes like four-wheel drives, ATVs, or watercraft, coupled with basic survival and first response skills.
Why AZGFD?
At Arizona Game and Fish, conservation is personal. Our employees are deeply connected to the landscapes and wildlife they protect, and this role is at the very heart of that connection. We value stewardship, teamwork, partnerships, and professional growth. We don’t just hire experts; we invest in them. We support our staff with ongoing training and career development opportunities to ensure you remain a leader in the field. If you’re ready to make a measurable impact on wildlife conservation and become a vital part of Arizona’s conservation mission, we encourage you to apply!
Studies the physical characteristics of wildlife and their behaviors, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats. Coordinates and implements fish and wildlife management actions, evaluates land and water projects for impacts to wildlife, including endangered species, and recommends Department actions on projects and proposes mitigation when appropriate. Participates in interdisciplinary planning teams and develops habitat plans for the Department. Works to ensure that there will be viable wildlife and wildlife populations in the future. Leads and participates in habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
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 with a requirement to come into the office a minimum of 2 days each week at 5325 Stockton Hill Rd. Kingman, AZ 86409.
This position requires occasional driving (up to 3 hours per day) for site oversight at a wildlife area located outside of Kingman.
Major duties will include:
• Represents the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the evaluation and implementation of land management plans and activities for the benefit of fish and wildlife resources.
• Coordinates and conducts Department reviews and evaluations of project proposals, reports, and land use plans for the potential impacts to fish and wildlife.
• Coordinates with Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) on activities on Commission owned properties leased to LCR MSCP. Maintains and protects Department interests on these properties.
• Communicates orally and in writing to express the Department’s position and concerns on proposed land management plans and projects and cooperates with the public, private entities and federal, state and local agencies to develop plans and actions that mitigate potential adverse impacts to fish, wildlife and habitats for wildlife conservation and wildlife-oriented recreation.
• Develops, maintains and fosters effective working relationships with cooperating agencies, project sponsors, and public entities as an advocate for wildlife conservation and wildlife oriented recreation.
• Conducts field inspections and evaluations in cooperation with Department field personnel and cooperating agencies to assess potential impacts to fish and wildlife populations and habitats.
• Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in project evaluations to produce clear, standardized map products.
• Negotiates and resolves habitat related conflicts and other resource issues with federal, state, and local agencies and other organizations.
• Maintains official records and files on project development, environmental references and Department correspondence.
• Monitors and evaluates changes in relevant laws, policies and regulations that affect the Department’s ability to manage wildlife and their habitats.
• Assists immediate Supervisor, Branch Supervisor and other Department personnel in the preparation of annual reports, performance reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned
The position requires knowledge of/in: 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.
Candidates must be skilled in: wildlife identification; communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; customer service techniques; analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing complex legal texts, regulatory frameworks, and dense scientific literature; evaluating land and water project proposals against local, state, and federal environmental laws; conducting field surveys, identifying flora/fauna, and utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to map habitats; implementing physical, chemical, and biological control methods to eradicate or manage invasive populations; drafting clear mitigation recommendations, environmental impact reports, and habitat management plans.
Candidates must have the ability to: apply wildlife science and best practices as appropriate to assignment, e.g., habitat evaluations, field investigation, species identification, species habitat requirements, ecological support systems, etc; apply scientific data collection procedures and report writing techniques; apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures; provide appropriate customer service within and outside the agency to a variety of individuals and private and public groups; learn and use agency radio system, GIS, GPS locator, computers, cameras and specialized equipment common to wildlife work; use various modes of transportation, such as horses, mules, boats, four-wheel drive, ATVs; learn and apply basic survival and first response (medical assistance) skills; work irregular hours, including on weekends and holidays and at night; develop and maintain working relationships with the public and various governmental and special interest groups; work outdoors in extreme weather and/or isolated conditions.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating land use agreements, lease terms, and habitat compliance specifically within the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program framework.
• Experience in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay land and water project footprints against critical habitat zones to produce standardized environmental evaluation maps.
• Experience conducting wildlife population and habitat field inspections in remote, extreme terrain utilizing specialized transport including four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs, or watercraft.
• Demonstrated skill analyzing dense environmental legal texts (such as NEPA or ESA documents) to draft legally defensible project mitigation recommendations and formal agency position letters.
• Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.
• Must have a Bachelors or advanced degree in wildlife and/or fisheries sciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management.
• 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
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
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.
ARIZONA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AMS)
All Arizona state employees operate within the Arizona Management System (AMS), an intentional, results-driven approach for doing the work of state government whereby every employee reflects on performance, reduces waste, and commits to continuous improvement with sustainable progress. Through AMS, every state employee seeks to understand customer needs, identify problems, improve processes, and measure results.
State employees are highly engaged, collaborative and embrace a culture of public service.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
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
