GAME AND FISH DEPT

Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona

Hiring Salary Range: $50,000 - $80,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 05/19/2024  

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SENIOR
“Land Resources Manager”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / HABITAT BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 22 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $50,000 - $80,000
CLOSING DATE: 05/19/2024

Under direction of the Land and Water Program Supervisor, the Land Resources Manager works cooperatively within a cohesive team responsible for the acquisition and disposal of real property, acquisition and monitoring of conservation easements and water rights, and negotiating and executing land use agreements on Commission-owned and managed properties. The person in this position also coordinates with other Department work units, outside agencies, private individuals, and industry groups, and uses his or her knowledge of wildlife and their habitat requirements, in addition to prescribed Department rules, policies and processes, to accomplish these tasks.

Major duties will include:

- Plan, conduct and evaluate real property and water rights acquisition and disposal feasibility reviews, including communicating regularly with landowner(s) for negotiations on land acquisition issues and due diligence actions;

- Prepare purchase agreements to acquire land and water rights and coordinate feasibility evaluations of land/water acquisition or disposal proposals;

- Review proposed statewide land use projects such as land acquisitions and disposals, conservation easements, habitat improvements, shooting range developments, leases, rights-of-way and stewardship agreements;

- Conduct environmental compliance reviews for projects on Commission-owned and managed properties in accordance with the property funding source(s), the purpose of the property, and the property operation and management plan;

- Prepare and execute land use documents including deeds, license agreements, intergovernmental agreements, leases, land use permits, rights-of-entry, and water right certificates, as needed for fish and wildlife management and Commission priorities;

- Obtain property tax data annually from county assessors to calculate voluntary in-lieu of tax contributions pursuant to applicable statutes, and ensure timely Department payment of land and water fees in accordance with appropriate funding source(s);

- Design, develop and maintain information spatially, in databases and in electronic and permanent files for real property assets, and create and use GIS maps; and

- Perform other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Land and Water Program Supervisor.

The candidate must have knowledge of/in: state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to land acquisition and disposal, water rights, leases, conservation easements and rights-of-way to be able to prepare legally binding purchase and sale agreements, deeds, leases, and land use agreements; project design/layout, land surveys, appraisal language and GIS mapping tools.

Candidates must possess the skills and abilities to prepare a variety of correspondence. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and excellent project management and organizational skills to handle multiple assignments and projects concurrently. Candidates must be proficient with standard computer software to manage and track program information via database systems.

GIS mapping skills are a plus.

Working knowledge of state/federal land and environmental laws, rules and regulations is preferred.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field and three years of experience in wildlife research or management. A graduate degree may substitute for one year of the required experience.

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 Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance.