GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address:  5000 W. CAREFREE HWY, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85086

Hiring Salary Range:  $48,400 - $55,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 07/14/2025

The Wildlife Specialist 2 will work under the direction of the Terrestrial Research Program Manager to plan, organize, and conduct wildlife research studies in a field, office, or lab setting. Supervises subordinate staff, interns and/or volunteers to complete assigned work projects. Is also responsible for study design, study plan preparation, data analysis, report writing and preparation of scientific manuscripts. Studies may include reviewing wildlife survey methods, harvest analysis, habitat evaluations, special studies, or environmental inventories. Will provide consultation and technical advice relative to wildlife research and is expected to make public presentations. Operates a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work and may be required to drive long distances. This position requires in-state and out-of-state travel including overnight multiple-day field trips, and weekend and holiday work will be occasionally required.

-Supervising subordinate personnel, including wildlife technicians, interns, and volunteers.
-Conducting field surveys for various taxa including large mammals, small mammals, herpetofauna, and avian species.
-Conducting vegetation surveys and camera trap surveys.
-Trapping, marking, and tracking wildlife using aerial and/or ground telemetry techniques.
-Designing wildlife research studies and writing study plans to address wildlife management information needs.
-Collecting field data and analyzing data using statistical software. Prepares reports and scientific manuscripts.
-Making public presentations on wildlife research studies.
-Working in remote locations and camping in primitive conditions for up to 8 continuous days. Handles logistics for camps and fieldwork and maintains field equipment.
-Operating four-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs in rough terrain and entering and managing data using laptop computers and statistical software.
-May be assigned to conduct wildlife research studies on a statewide or regional basis, and may work in the field in remote areas for extended overnight periods.
-Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must have knowledge of the southwest, wildlife ecology, scientific methods, wildlife research and management techniques, data collection methods, statistical analysis, scientific report preparation, and proper operation, maintenance, and basic repair of field equipment and various vehicles, e.g. four-wheel drive, all-terrain vehicles. In addition, must be knowledgeable and experienced with wildlife field research techniques, e.g., terrestrial and aquatic field investigation, species identification and habitat requirements, types of flora and fauna and their ecological support systems. Candidates must be skilled in collecting and analyzing field data, preparing and writing reports and scientific manuscripts, and presenting research study results. Must have the ability to use office equipment and perform both manual labor and office-related duties. Candidates must be able to communicate verbally and in writing and work alone and part as a team. Must be able to work in remote locations for extended periods where overnight camping will be required.

The preferred candidate will have a master’s degree in a wildlife science and experience with planning, designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on scientific research projects.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

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 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).

All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program.

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 pilot 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 Amy Lacy at alacy@azgfd.gov for assistance.

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