GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Salary: $77,958 - $141,454 

Grade: 28

Closing Date: 05/17/2026

STATE VETERINARIAN
“State Wildlife Veterinarian”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE BRANCH
PHOENIX, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- Exempt / SALARY GRADE 28 / SALARY RANGE $77,958 - $141,454
CLOSING DATE: 05/17/2026

The State Wildlife Veterinarian manages the Wildlife Health Program, and is responsible for monitoring the health and disease status of terrestrial wildlife populations in Arizona. Additionally, the State Wildlife Veterinarian provides animal care during translocations and captures; provides support to wildlife management programs; provides training for wildlife biologists; coordinates with state and federal agencies on wildlife health and disease management and policies; and much more.

The State Wildlife Veterinarian position compiles and maintains records of animal disease outbreaks, intervention methods, and effects. Develops strategies for the detection, control, and eradication of wildlife diseases using principles of epidemiology to identify critical control points and risk reduction. Assists in drafting statutes and rule changes to prevent and manage wildlife diseases. Builds agency wildlife health and disease response capacity through training and resource development. Represents the Department at meetings and conferences with stakeholders, and state, tribal, regional and national agencies and associations by providing explanations of agency policies and procedures. Develops professional working relationships with state, tribal, regional and national agencies and associations by providing explanations of agency policies and procedures. Develops professional working relationships with state, federal and tribal agencies to coordinate and enhance wildlife health and disease response. Maintains the records required by the DEA for valid Controlled Substances registrations and prescribes regulated pharmaceuticals for fish and wildlife treatment, immobilization, anesthesia, and euthanasia. Collects biological samples, performs necropsies and laboratory testing, and submits specimens to diagnostic laboratories to determine the health status, cause of death or other physiological parameters of wildlife. Performs research on aspects of wildlife disease and health, efficacy of pharmaceuticals, and wildlife disease agents. Captures and immobilizes wildlife. Provides veterinary care and treatment. Generates reports for Department biologists, supervisors, the Director, the Commission or public as appropriate. Supervises, trains, and assists the Assistant Wildlife Veterinarian, Wildlife Health Program technicians, interns, and volunteers. Evaluates program needs, develops budget requests, and applies for appropriate grants.

Duties will include but not limited to:

- Wildlife health population assessments through the collection of biological samples, testing, and data analysis. Conducting risk assessments based on epidemiological principles; maintaining records of mortality events, population health, disease outbreaks, investigation methods, results, and management actions taken

- Development and assessment of wildlife health and disease management programs for endangered species reintroduction and recovery programs. Participating in the management of wildlife populations: contributing to the development of capture plans, surveillance protocols and health assessments. Developing research projects related to the management of health and disease in wildlife populations

- Educating and training Department employees in chemical capture and immobilization, necropsy methods, sample collection, sample handling and shipment, and other wildlife disease management topics. Ensuring safe and humane animal handling through technical guidance and training; providing supplies for animal handling and sample collection

- Coordinating with Department staff and outside partners and agencies to respond, manage, and plan for wildlife, public, and livestock health events. Represent the Department at state, regional, and national meetings, including giving presentations at local, state, and regional meetings for constituents, and colleagues

- Supervise staff, working with assistant wildlife veterinarian to address program and personal goals, challenges, and objectives. Directing field operations, assisting in developing field schedules, and monitoring the progress of projects. Prepare and track budgets, equipment lists, vehicle maintenance and use logs, and maintain inventories

- Providing reports to supervisors, and personnel with management recommendations. Conduct literature reviews, write technical reports, briefings, and articles. Contributing to the development of policies, procedures, and best management practices for wildlife health and diseases, public health, and related topics

- Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

The candidate must have knowledge of Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to animal disease control, wildlife management, and the practice of veterinary medicine; epidemiology and public health practices; rules pertaining to controlled substance handling, storage, and record keeping; humane animal handling and the Animal Welfare Act; diagnostic test methods for various diseases and disease agents..

The candidate must be skilled in oral and written communication; sample collection from various taxa; establishing and maintaining working relationships with stakeholders, and organizations; customer service; planning and executing field operations; data processing and analysis; administering veterinary care, treatments, and medications; humane euthanasia of various taxa; capture of wildlife.

Candidates must be able to form collaborative relationships with other individuals and organizations; act as a leader and mentor for technicians, interns, volunteers, and peers; synthesize information form a number of sources and apply it to novel situations; work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays and evenings; perform field work and site visits in extreme weather or isolated areas.

Pre-employment Requirements: The candidate must have a Doctor of veterinary medicine or equivalent and have an Arizona license to practice veterinary medicine.

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. 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 or 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 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 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. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.