GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED
7200 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85207

Salary: $48,000 - $55,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 5/27/2026

Are you a conservation professional who thrives at the intersection of technical expertise and community partnership? As our Landowner Relations Program Specialist, you won't just manage projects—you will shape the future of Arizona’s landscapes. You will be the regional lead driving habitat improvements and expanding public access, ensuring that wildlife thrives and our communities can connect with the great outdoors!

The Impact You Will Make
• For Wildlife: You will lead the charge in restoring and enhancing vital habitats. From analyzing southwest ecosystems to implementing best management practices, your work directly supports the health and diversity of Arizona’s iconic fish and wildlife species.
• For the Community: You are the key to unlocking new opportunities for outdoor recreation. By building trust and negotiating consensus with private landowners, agencies, and conservation groups, you ensure that public lands remain accessible and cherished by all.
• For the Future: Your technical leadership in environmental inventories, GIS mapping, and ecological evaluations provides the roadmap for long-term conservation success in the region.

What You’ll Do
• Lead Regional Initiatives: Own the planning and implementation of high-priority habitat projects and conservation program funds.
• Build Partnerships: Influence land management decisions by maintaining meaningful relationships with landowners, lessees, and partner agencies.
• Be the Expert Voice: Represent the Department at public information sessions and technical meetings, providing consultation and technical advice on wildlife management.
• Field & Office Excellence: Balance data-driven reporting and budget tracking with hands-on field work, including wildlife surveys and site evaluations using UTVs and 4WD vehicles.

What You Bring
• Conservation Roots: A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in wildlife/fisheries science and at least 2 years of professional management experience.
• Southwest Expertise: Deep knowledge of Arizona’s unique ecosystems and wildlife management principles.
• The "Human" Element: Exceptional skills in conflict resolution and the ability to negotiate consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency in GIS software and technical equipment to plot and track project success.

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

Serves as the Regional lead and manager for habitat improvement projects and access projects implementation. Plans, organizes, analyzes, conducts and coordinates fish and wildlife management related activities and projects associated with private and public lands. Builds new and maintains existing relationships with landowners, lessee, wildlife conservation organizations and land management agencies to influence planning and implementation decisions that enable the implementation of new and existing habitat and wildlife related projects. Develops and uses best management practices in wildlife and habitat projects. Develops and/or reviews recommendations and reports on wildlife research, wildlife surveys, habitat evaluations, special studies and/or environmental inventories and estimates. Will work with co-workers and/or may lead volunteers to complete assigned work projects. Performs other duties as assigned. Employee works under general supervision, exercising discretion and independent judgment within agency guidelines. This position provides consultation and technical advice within specialty area and are expected to make public presentations.

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 7200 E. University Drive Mesa, AZ 85207.

Major duties will include:

• Administer, plan, organize, monitor, and implement habitat and access projects based on Regional and Department level priorities, as well as implementing activities associated with conservation program funds at a regional level.

• Writes, maintains and tracks project environmental compliance based on project type through internal reviews. Reports project completion and budget tracking.

• Represents the Department at technical meetings and public information sessions.

• Works closely with other governmental agencies, conservation organizations and landowners to resolve issues, concerns and problems with habitat and/or access agreements.

• Use technical equipment to plan, plot, monitor and track projects and assist customers with map making. Maintain and increase proficiencies in technology through ongoing training.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The position requires knowledge of/in: wildlife and associated habitats; knowledge of southwest ecosystems, wildlife biology, application of management and conservation principles; knowledge of project management; knowledge of Department policies and administrative procedures; experience in procurement and the execution of cooperative agreements; report writing and basic mapping techniques.

Candidates must be skilled in: wildlife identification; project management and budget tracking; restoration ecology and ecological evaluations; GIS software; strong written and oral communication skills. Use various equipment including 4-wheel drive vehicles, computers, UTV and cameras.

Candidates must have the ability to: work independently or as part of a team; develop working relationships with public, federal and state agencies, and special interest groups; conflict resolution skills and negotiate consensus through partnerships; manage project proposals, tracking and budgets; work irregular hours, including weekends, to benefit wildlife and maintain positive relationships.

Experience in project management is desired.
Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

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.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job.

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.