Address:  TUCSON or PHOENIX BASED

Hiring hourly range: $21.14 - $25.00 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 08/23/2026

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST 1
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / WILDLIFE CONTRACTS BRANCH
TUCSON or PHOENIX, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- Non-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $21.14 - $25.00
CLOSING DATE: 08/23/2026

Your Mission in the Wild

Lead and Assist Field Projects: Run wildlife and habitat surveys, handle logistics, and work outdoors across stunning Arizona landscapes.
Manage Data: Analyze field numbers, run quality checks, and write important project reports.
Use Specialized Tools: Operate rugged outdoor gear, drive long distances, and navigate remote terrain using GPS and maps.

What You Need to Succeed

Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in wildlife science, fisheries, or a related field.
Experience: Two years of professional wildlife research or management experience (an advanced degree can replace one year).
Skills: Hiking, camping, off-road driving, data analysis, and a strong knowledge of wildlife and plant species native to Arizona.
Requirements: Valid Arizona driver's license, clean driving record, passing a post-offer physical exam and ability to get a pre-exposure rabies vaccine.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The Wildlife Specialist 1 will work under general supervision to plan, organize, conduct and coordinate professional wildlife projects in a field and office setting. This position performs wildlife and habitat data collection, data entry and analysis and executes technical surveys and/or evaluations. Assists in specific project tasks, organizing and maintaining equipment and collecting data. Will serve as a field crew member. Operates a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work and may be required to drive long distances. This position requires constant in-state and out-of-state travel including overnight multiple-day field trips, and night, weekend, and holiday work will be occasionally required. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting field work related to rare and endangered native plants, vegetation assessments, abandoned mine reclamation, installation of wildlife-friendly fencing, and inventory and monitoring for a variety of bird and mammal species across Arizona.

Major responsibilities include:

- Plan and execute day-to-day logistics of assigned projects
- Conduct surveys and perform field work in relation to wildlife and habitat projects
- Process, compile, summarize, analyze, and perform QA/QC for all project data into databases
- Assist in generating quarterly updates and completing annual reports and summaries
- Plan and assess manpower and equipment needs
- Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must have knowledge of: habitat and wildlife field investigations; management and conservation techniques and best practices; federal, state and agency laws, regulations, policies and procedures; scientific data collection procedures; statistical analysis; computerized manual information management and geographic information systems; grammar and writing techniques; topographic map, compass, GPS unit and app interpretation and use; species identification and habitat requirements of Arizona wildlife, plants and habitats.

The candidate must have skill in: data gathering, standardized sampling techniques, verbal and written communications, customer service, public relations techniques, problem-solving, orientating, camping, hiking, off-road vehicle use. The candidate must have the ability to: develop effective communication and working relationships, ability to negotiate, train and evaluate work products.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in fisheries and/or wildlife science or a closely related field and at least 2 years of professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management. An advanced degree may substitute for one year of required experience. Must also be able to obtain special certifications as required.

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

Employment is also 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 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
Tuition Reimbursement Program
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 Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.