The Arizona Game & Fish Department is responsible for managing Arizona’s fish and wildlife resource as an enduring public trust. In addition, the Department is charged with promoting safe and responsible use of watercraft and off-highway vehicles. Funding is provided from the sale of licenses and permits; watercraft registration fees; federal excise taxes on firearms, fishing equipment, boats, and other sporting goods; State lottery revenues; donations on State income tax forms; and various contracts and grants. Department policy is set by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, whose five members are appointed by the Governor. For more information, please visit our website at www.azgfd.gov.
The mission of the Arizona Game & Fish Department is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. It is our vision to be the national conservation leader supporting the continuation of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Arizona’s most trusted, respected and credible source for wildlife conservation products, services and information.
JOB INFORMATION
Under the direction of the Aquatic Wildlife Program Supervisor, the Aquatic Wildlife Specialist will perform a variety of professional work related to fisheries management for the Yuma Regional Office. The Specialist will be responsible for planning and conducting fisheries management actions and projects in accordance with work plans. Develops and writes management plans and study proposals. Coordinates and conducts management activities, surveys, and evaluations on fish populations and aquatic habitats. Plans and coordinates work activities with Department personnel, other agencies, special interest groups, and the public. Collects data, manages databases, analyzes data, interprets analysis, and prepares various technical and popular reports. Presents information to various agencies, fisheries professionals, special interest groups and the general public.
Develops and maintains positive working relationships with other local, state, and federal agencies, special interest groups, and the general public and provides high quality customer service to both internal and external customers. Reviews and provides comments on proposed actions and management plans that could affect fisheries resources. Coordinates and conducts various educational and outreach activities such as fishing clinics, educational talks/presentations, round-table discussions, and public meetings. Assists in developing annual work plans and various reports. Evaluates and issues special licenses and permits. Facilitate efforts to enhance aquatic habitats, fish populations, fishing opportunities, and angler access. Operates, maintains and repairs program equipment. Trains and may oversee other Department employees, interns, and volunteers assisting the fisheries program. Serves as acting program supervisor in supervisor’s absence, and other duties as assigned to maintain and implement the aquatic wildlife program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The position requires knowledge of: fish, wildlife, habitat research, investigation, management, and conservation techniques and procedures; species identification and habitat requirements of Arizona fish and aquatic flora and fauna, fish and water monitoring, surveying, sampling, and collection techniques and procedures; federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to fisheries management; federal, state, and local agency roles and functions relative to fisheries management and environmental issues and administrative procedures for special licenses and permits.
The candidate must be skilled in effective writing and oral communication, mathematics and basic statistical analysis, data collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and presentation, GPS, GIS, and topographic use, vehicle, watercraft, and hand equipment operation, safety, and maintenance, report writing, project planning and execution, work management, supervision, leadership, working in remote areas, first aid, and survival skills, and working with others.
The candidate must have the ability to develop effective and positive working relationships with various federal, state, and local agencies, special interest groups and the general public, able to provide positive and effective customer service to a variety of internal and external customers, effective communication with a wide variety of audiences, work outdoors in extreme and isolated conditions and be able to train and lead others.
The candidate must have a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries management, fisheries biology, wildlife management or closely related field. The preferred candidate will have a Master of Science degree or three years of experience designing and implementing fisheries management practices, investigations, or research.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.).
All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program. Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.
BENEFITS
The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:
* 13 days 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
For more information on the benefits available to State of Arizona employees, including plan descriptions, wait periods and cost, please visit www.benefitoptions.az.gov.
Arizona State Government is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an equal opportunity, reasonable accommodations employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need to request an accommodation in the employment process or would like to receive this document in an alternative format, please contact our office at (623) 236-7326 or TTY 1-800-367-8939, prior to the closing date of the job in which you are interested. We stand in support of equality for and advancement of all people based on their qualifications and actions alone without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.
