GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / DEVELOPMENT BRANCH / PHOENIX, ARIZONA BASED
5000 W. Carefree Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85086

Salary: $20.00 - $25.00/HR 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: 5/17/2026

WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSTRUCTION CREW LEADER
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / DEVELOPMENT BRANCH / PHOENIX, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA – NON-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 18 / HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $20.00 - $25.00/HR

Are you ready to trade the city skyline for Arizona’s rugged horizons? We are looking for a Wildlife Habitat Crew Construction Leader who can turn blueprints into biological havens. If you have mastered heavy equipment and construction but want your legacy to be measured in protected species and thriving ecosystems rather than just square footage, this is your call to action!

As a Crew Leader, you aren't just building structures; you are the architect of Arizona’s conservation future. You will lead high-impact projects that directly protect and create habitats across the state’s diverse landscapes. From the depths of our waterways to the heart of the wilderness, your work ensures that Arizona’s wildlife and the public who love it have a place to thrive.

What You’ll Do
• Construct for Conservation: Manage and direct a wide range of projects, including Wildlife Water Developments, fish hatcheries, earthen dams, and livestock enclosure fences.
• Master the Waterways: Oversee navigational aid and dock maintenance across Arizona’s iconic waterways.
• Lead the Frontline: Direct a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring every project meets elite standards of quality and OSHA safety.
• Command Heavy Metal: Utilize your expertise in heavy equipment to move mountains—literally—for habitat enhancement and vegetation management.
• Guard the Gear: Take charge of high-value assets, managing over $190,000 in equipment and materials critical to our mission.

This isn't a 9-to-5 desk job. You will work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays in some of the most remote and beautiful locations in the Southwest. You’ll be lifting heavy, climbing rugged terrain, and navigating hazardous conditions to get the job done.

Ready to leave your mark on the wild? Apply now and lead the crew that builds a better future for Arizona’s wildlife!

Wildlife Habitat Crew Leaders play a critical role in overseeing the activities of Navigational Aids and Boating Access, Wildlife Habitat Construction, Heavy Equipment, volunteers and contractors. Their primary responsibility is to manage and direct construction and maintenance projects aimed at enhancing, protecting, or creating wildlife habitats, as well as structures used by Department staff and the public. This includes a diverse range of projects such as Navigational buoy and dock relocation and maintenance on Arizona Waterways, Wildlife areas, conservation facilities, livestock enclosure fences, shooting facilities, Wildlife Water Developments, access roads, administrative structures, vegetation management, earthen dams, and fish hatcheries. Crew Leaders ensure compliance with established maintenance and construction procedures, OSHA regulations, and environmental guidelines, while maintaining high standards of quality and meeting project deadlines. They are responsible for organizing workflows, managing material loading and delivery, and demonstrating effective leadership to both subordinates and volunteers. Additionally, they handle administrative tasks such as performance reviews and adherence to Department and State policies. Crew Leaders also manage the proper storage, maintenance, and transportation of materials and equipment valued up to $40,000 and tools and equipment worth over $150,000. A working knowledge of Arizona waterways, navigational aids, and Heavy Equipment is also required for this role. And all other duties assigned.

Work Conditions: Work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays indoors and outdoors in Arizona’s geographic and weather extremes. Considerable exposure to extreme weather conditions and hazardous conditions. Includes travel to remote work areas in a variety of vehicles. Outdoor work involves heavy lifting, walking and climbing over rugged terrain and camping out for extended periods in wilderness areas, sometimes in inclement weather conditions.

Major duties may include:

• Supervise the construction, maintenance, and repair of habitat development or maintenance projects. Maximize subordinate productivity and use of Department resources.

• Assist and supervise the Navigational Aids Crew with maintaining safe travel and boating accessibility for the public on Arizona Waterways.

• Inventory, inspect, replace, and maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles in proper working order.

• Coordinate project activities for crew and other governmental agencies, volunteers, Department personnel, and contractors.

• Complete and ensure that subordinates complete Departmental paperwork, including time diaries, surveys, purchasing documents, inventories, material deliveries, time sheets, and travel reimbursement forms.

• Support other activities of other Department work units, Branches and Regions, and other government agencies as requested

• Ensure job safety, including the proper use of hazardous materials, hand and power tools, vehicles, aircraft, and construction equipment

• Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge of supervisory techniques, Department policies, procedures, and mission; verbal and written communication; project management; wildlife behavior and habits; construction and maintenance including general knowledge of a variety of construction trades (e.g. carpentry, plumbing, masonry & cement, welding, and painting); water development components including HDPE or PVC, fiberglass, metal, or concrete tanks and troughs, pipe rail and wire fences, metal and PVC plumbing, and historical and modern building infrastructure; hydrology and evaluating; basic knowledge of safety for working around aircraft (mainly helicopter); and basic knowledge of first aid, CPR.

The candidate will be skilled in management and leadership; construction and maintenance; proper use of tools common to construction and maintenance projects; and camping for long periods of time.

The candidate will have the ability to understand construction trades and management; administrative processes; project management techniques; communication; and be able to perform in all types of conditions.

Progressive experience in outdoor construction, habitat restoration, or remote field operations. A proven track record in construction team leadership and the operation of motorized/automotive construction equipment is highly preferred.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

• Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Position requires OSHA 10/30 certification, Forklift/Telehandler certification and First Aid CPR certification (must obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid State of Arizona Driver’s License appropriate to the assignment; Class A CDL with tanker endorsements (must obtain within 6 months of hire).

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
* 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.