Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager

Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager

Address:  7200 East University, Mesa, AZ 85207

Hiring salary range: $60,000 - $75,000 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 09/27/2026  

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR REGIONAL
“Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIV / REGION 6 / MESA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA- Exempt / SALARY GRADE 23 / Hiring Range $60,000 - $75,000
CLOSING DATE: 09/27/2026

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hiring an Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager in Arizona to lead a team managing sportfish and native fish research, habitats, and budgets. This permanent role requires a bachelor's degree in a wildlife field, leadership experience, and offers comprehensive state benefits.

Key Duties
Supervision: Lead, coach, and train a team of specialists, interns, and volunteers.
Program Management: Oversee budgets, grants, reports, and strategic planning.
Field & Lab Work: Conduct environmental studies, surveys, and habitat evaluations in rugged terrain and extreme weather.
Collaboration: Partner with federal, state, and local agencies on wildlife recovery and conservation policies.

Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science or a closely related field.
Experience: Professional experience in fisheries or wildlife research and management (advanced degrees can substitute for experience).
Skills: Knowledge of wildlife science best practices, leadership techniques, and budget management.
Requirements: Valid driver's license and ability to work irregular hours or travel remotely.

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 Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating a team that may include 3 wildlife specialists, interns, volunteers, partner personnel, and other support staff involved in advanced aquatic wildlife research and management. This role oversees both sportfish and native fish management efforts, as well as complex environmental studies conducted in the field and laboratory. Key responsibilities include developing and managing aquatic wildlife programs, coordinating study plans and procedures, and ensuring effective collaboration both within the agency and with external partners. The Program Manager plays a strategic leadership role by setting program priorities, overseeing implementation, and managing all related administrative functions—including budgeting, planning, and public outreach.
This position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional work on weekends, holidays, or nights. While much of the work is conducted indoors and demands close attention to detail, fieldwork is also required. Field assignments may involve travel across the state—often in remote or rugged terrain—and can include exposure to extreme weather conditions and wilderness hazards. Various transportation methods may be used, including boats, aircraft, ATVs, horses, or traveling on foot.

Major responsibilities include:

- Supervises, coaches, mentors and trains subordinate personnel in aquatic wildlife science and management principles and functions. Coordinates and supervises the activities of subordinates.
- Ensures all program-related administrative matters, e.g., budget, finances, reports, and equipment maintenance etc. are appropriately handled.
- Manages workflow, provides program oversight and ensures staff competency and development.
- Programmatic activities include sportfish and native fish management (surveys, habitat evaluation/improvement, creel data collection, and stocking) review/issuance of special licenses, sportfish education, and evaluation of boating/angler access needs.
- Supervises and monitors aquatic wildlife study plans, programs, projects and procedures. - Reviews, edits, evaluates and/or approves survey data, technical reports and publications. - Develops and/or reviews aquatic wildlife management plans and guidelines.
- Prepares and/or reviews material for publication in technical journals and magazines, for the media or for presentation to scientific conferences, department personnel, other agencies, the general public and/or the media.
- Oversees environmental compliance related to program implementation.
- Negotiates contracts, memorandums of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, etc.
- 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 and aquatic wildlife related recreation activities. Participates on recovery teams and other T&E/SGCN work groups.
- May operate a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work, perform specialized oversight required for the respective program or work area.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge of/in: Wildlife science and wildlife management and best practices. Federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Work supervision principles and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring, employee discipline and staff development. Public relations, negotiation and customer service principles and techniques. Principles and practices of state of Arizona budget management and procurement. Principles of the Arizona Management System and its application. Public needs and attitudes toward wildlife.

The candidate will have skill in: Planning and executing wildlife related programs. Apply work supervision and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring and staff development. Effectively manage time. Recognize conflicting public values and viewpoints and respond effectively.

The candidate must have the ability to: Apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 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 conditions. Use various modes of transportation, such as planes, helicopters, horses, mules, boats, four-wheel drive, ATVs and specialized equipment common to wildlife work, as needed. Ability to apply the principles of the Arizona Management System to the workplace environment and maintain a Regional Wildlife Program Team that reflects these principles.

Any combination of training and experience that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs); typical ways KSAs are obtained may include but are not limited to: relevant degree from an accredited college or university, coursework and work experience relevant to assignment.

Required Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field from an accredited college or university.

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 Nicole Baker at [email protected] for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.