GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED 
9140 28th St. Yuma, AZ 85365

Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 4/12/2026

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR REGIONAL
“Terrestrial Program Manager”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 23 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $60,000 - $75,000

Are you a wildlife professional driven by science-based management, regulatory integrity, and conservation outcomes that stand the test of time? Join our team as a Terrestrial Program Manager, where your leadership will directly shape Arizona’s wildlife programs while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, sound fiscal management, and responsible stewardship of public trust resources.

This role blends strategic program leadership, field-based science, and regulatory oversight, offering a unique opportunity to guide complex wildlife research and management programs that balance ecological needs, public interests, and legal requirements. The Terrestrial Program Manager provides scientific, technical, and regulatory oversight for wildlife inventory, monitoring, and recovery projects—including the critical management and recovery of the Sonoran Pronghorn. This position supervises a team of professional wildlife specialists engaged in complex field and laboratory studies, ensuring all programs are conducted in strict compliance with federal, state, and agency policies.

The role emphasizes data integrity, defensible management decisions, and accountability in the use of public resources. As a key advisor to the Game and Fish Commission and Executive Staff, you will translate raw field data into actionable management reports and long-term study plans. You will serve as a lead collaborator with federal, state, and private partners, navigating complex negotiations to benefit Arizona’s terrestrial species and the public’s interest in wildlife-related recreation.

Why Join Us?
This position offers the chance to lead conservation efforts that matter, safeguard wildlife resources, and ensure programs are implemented responsibly, transparently, and in full compliance with the law. If you are passionate about science-based conservation and leading others in service of Arizona’s natural heritage, we encourage you to apply!

The Terrestrial Program Manager supervises and coordinates a staff of wildlife specialists or other personnel and their assistants engaged in complex wildlife research, management and/or environmental studies in the field and laboratory. Coordinates and monitors wildlife study plans, programs and procedures. Provides coordination inside and outside the agency to ensure successful wildlife program implementation.

Major duties include:
• Supervise Regional Wildlife Program Specialist and act as a secondary supervisor to those they supervise. Conduct and review performance evaluations, personnel investigations and recommend discipline. Coach and mentor program staff in policy, procedures; skills and abilities. Recognize achievement.

• Collect, compile and analyze data, conduct management actions and report on Sonoran Pronghorn recovery, wildlife inventory, monitoring and management activities to the Regional Supervisor, Executive Staff and the Game and Fish Commission.

• Participate on committees, advisory groups, process improvement teams and work groups related to wildlife management and Department operations.

• Plan, organize, administer and lead the operational aspects of the regional Wildlife Program. Including budgets, work assignments and program performance evaluation. Develop and encourage effective procedures. Implement corrective actions as necessary.

• Communicate, cooperate and collaborate with various federal; state, county, municipal agencies, and private interests in developing and implementing activities and policies that benefit wildlife populations, wildlife related recreation and the interests of the people of the State of Arizona.

• Serve as a technical and informational advisor to the work units, programs Regional employees, public and private entities with respect to wildlife biology and management. Provide training as appropriate.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge in wildlife management; supervision; budget management and procurement; project management and development; report writing that will comply with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations; and public relations including negotiation.

The candidate will be skilled in leadership, coaching, mentoring, staff development and time management. The candidate will be skilled in planning and executing wildlife related programs.

The candidate will have the ability to apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedure; apply wildlife science and management best practices as appropriate to supervisory assignment development; develop and maintain working relationships with the various governmental agencies, special interest groups, the media and the public; provide appropriate public relations and customer service within and outside the agency to a variety of individuals and private and public entities; communicate verbally and in writing; negotiate with public and private entities and individuals; work irregular hours, including on weekends and holidays and at night; perform field site visits, sometimes in extreme weather and/or isolated condition; use various modes of transportation, such as horses, boats, four-wheel drive, ATVs and specialized equipment common to wildlife work, as needed.

• Working knowledge of federal and state wildlife laws, regulations, permitting requirements, and compliance standards.
• 2-4 years of experience developing, implementing, or overseeing wildlife study plans or management strategies.
• Experience with budget management and procurement.
• Experience supervising professional or technical staff in wildlife and habitat management.
• Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

• The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
• Employment may be contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Possession of and ability to maintain valid Arizona driver’s license appropriate to assignment.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then 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.