Systems Administrator
- 541311
- PHOENIX
- GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
- Full-time
- Closing at: Jun 21 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.
Systems Administrator
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ PHOENIX BASED
5000 W. Carefree Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85086
Salary: $60,000 - $72,000
Grade: 23
Closing Date: 6/21/2026
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ PHOENIX BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 23 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $60,000 - $72,000
As our Systems Administrator, you will be the backbone of the digital infrastructure that powers our statewide conservation mission. By managing, securing, and optimizing our on-premises and cloud environments, you directly enable our field biologists, wildlife managers, and public services to function seamlessly. Your expertise ensures data integrity, network availability, and robust security defenses against emerging threats. Whether you are leading critical patch management, configuring complex AWS cloud environments, or supporting the commission meeting road team, your work guarantees that our agency operates securely and efficiently to protect Arizona’s wildlife. If you are a mission-driven tech professional who thrives on bridging the gap between advanced digital infrastructure and critical real-world conservation, we want you on our team!
What You’ll Do:
• Infrastructure Management: Design, install, modify, maintain, and manage network infrastructure and system security.
• Environment Administration: Administer both on-premises and cloud environments, monitoring system health, performance, and availability.
• Security & Compliance: Manage the agency SIEM, lead patch management efforts, and ensure overall data security and integrity.
• Cloud & Hardware Evaluation: Constantly evaluate hardware and networks, including cloud infrastructure (AWS EC2, Route 53, load balancers).
• Issue Resolution: Respond to, troubleshoot, and resolve abnormal system behaviors and end-user technical situations.
• System Design: Partner with the IT team to design, develop, and implement complex server environments and end-user access controls.
• Documentation & Configuration: Establish and document hardware/software configurations and maintain strict change management processes.
• Policy & Collaboration: Help develop and promote agency and statewide IT policies regarding desktop, server, network, and telecommunications systems.
• Project Support: Participate in project teams for software, server, and application solutions, and assist the commission meeting road team with technical setup/tear-down.
What We Are Looking For:
• Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of experience in systems administration (or equivalent experience).
• Technical Expertise: Thorough knowledge of desktop, server, network, hardware, and software systems.
• Core Systems Knowledge: Proficiency with Windows desktop, Unix/AIX/Windows server software, virtualization, network routers, and switches.
• Cloud & Innovation Preferred: Familiarity with cloud patching solutions, AWS infrastructure (EC2, Route 53, load balancers), and AI platforms.
• Communication & Service: Superior customer service focus with excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Problem Solving & Adaptability: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, absorb feedback, and adjust plans accordingly.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build strong professional relationships, gauge customer technical competence levels, and collaborate effectively within a team.
Responsible for design, installation, modification, maintenance, and management of the system security and network infrastructure. Analyze network performance, and provide technical support and administration for network, security and equipment configurations. Manages system updates and patches. Constantly evaluates the health and status of networks, security status and hardware including cloud infrastructure. Knowledge of cloud patching solutions and AWS EC2, Route 53 and load balancers as well as AI platforms preferred.
Major duties include:
• Administer and supports both on prem and cloud environments, including monitoring system health, performance and availability.
• Ensures data security, integrity and availability. Responds to both abnormal system and end-user situations.
• Troubleshoot these situations and develop solutions to resolve them. Documents change management process and provides status updates to staff
• Leads the patch management effort for the department and manages the agency SIEM
• Participates as a member of the IT team that designs, develops and implements complex server environments, maintains security and end-user access to these systems.
• Establishes and documents hardware and software configurations for new systems and modifications to current systems.
• Monitors systems for performance and availability, develops solutions for enhancements to these systems.
• Assist in developing information systems policies and procedures related to desktop, server, network and telecommunications systems. Understands and promotes statewide information technology policies and procedures.
• Participates in project teams involved in the planning, design, development and implementation of software, server, and application solutions.
• Participates on the commission meeting road team with setup and tear down.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
The candidate must have a thorough knowledge in/of: desktop, server, network, and hardware and software; leverage past knowledge and experience to evaluate and understand systems and end-user issues and prescribe solutions that resolve these problems; Windows desktop, Unix/AIX/Windows server software, virtualization, network routers and switches; the Department's mission and infrastructure and how technology can drive the Department forward.
The candidate must have skills in: customer service; excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; problem solving; attention to detail; balancing, prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks; teamwork.
The candidate must have the ability to: absorb feedback and adjust plans accordingly; build strong relationships inside and outside the Agency; resolve incidents/ problems efficiently and effectively; recognize customers' competence levels and ability to approach each level appropriately; evaluate and test emerging technologies; understand and anticipate needs and priorities of both internal and external customers.
The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of experience in systems administration (or equivalent experience).
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
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
