GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address:  5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086

Salary: $60,723 - $110,235 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: 07/29/2025

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER
“Archaeologist - Cultural Resource Compliance Manager”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / HABITAT BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 25 / SALARY RANGE ($60,723 - $110,235)
CLOSING DATE: 07/29/2025

The Archaeologist - Cultural Resource Compliance Manager (CRCM), under the supervision of the Habitat, Evaluation and Lands Branch Chief, works in close coordination with AZGFD's Project Evaluation Program (PEP) and other statewide programs to provide environmental services for AZGFD activities through compliance with regulatory requirements, assuring that all AZGFD projects comply with environmental laws. The purpose of the Archaeologist - CRCM is to ensure all project activities are in compliance with cultural resource laws and to advise, facilitate, and plan the protection, preservation, and management of historic and archaeological resources for Arizona Game and Fish Commission properties.

Major duties/Responsibilities will include:

- Interprets policies and procedures and makes recommendations to agency leadership on needed guidelines and procedures to comply with cultural resource laws. Advises AZGFD staff on cultural resources, direct organized consultation with SHPO (and if necessary the ACHP) on archaeological and cultural compliance, including the identification, review and approval of Department activities eligible under programmatic agreements. Develop Memorandum of Understanding or other agreements to partner on compliance issues on private, state, and federal lands. Oversees and manages complex cultural compliance for multiple projects statewide and ensures projects are able to be implemented in a timely fashion.

- Prepare and review cultural reports/site information to determine their eligibility under NHPA and inclusion into AZSite. Also approves cultural resource survey proposals for cultural reports prepared by consultants. Participates and advises in project planning and project scope. Oversees survey documentation, report writing, and GIS/database products for documentation of cultural resources. Provides annual reports to state, federal, and tribal agencies regarding Department activities within cultural resources.

- Participates in or leads various meetings to help further the future direction of conservation programs for the Department and Commission. Develops, fosters, and maintains working relationships with multiple stakeholders with often conflicting viewpoints in order to achieve consensus during the planning and implementation of internal and external projects, advocate for Commission/Department positions while maintaining relationships by acting as the cultural resource liaison with other state, federal, and tribal agencies to form partnerships related to ensuring the protection and preservation of cultural resources.

- Acts as a lead/coach to other employees when contracting consultants to perform cultural resource surveys. Acts as a leader for the process by managing and overseeing consultant activities relating to archaeological surveys, site flagging, monitoring, testing, and data recovery.

- Attends meetings, conferences, and training sessions, this could include developing training for other AZGFD staff.

- Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate must have knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to historic preservation, archaeology, and cultural resource management and coordination; Administration of cultural compliance planning, organizing and preparation of documentation for cultural resources; Methods and techniques of sources of information for archaeology resources; Principles, fundamental concepts, and practices of cultural resource management.

The candidate must possess skills and abilities including: Effective communication in a team environment including both written and oral communication skills. Apply current scientific archaeological theory, methods, and techniques in the identification, evaluation, and preservation treatment of archaeological resources; Direct work on complex project proposals, technical reports, Federal and state regulations, legislation and guidelines; Interpreting criteria for recommending archaeological sites for eligibility for listing on the Arizona and National Register of Historic Places; Handle negotiations, make decisions and evaluate impacts and archaeological preservation planning; Develop and manage project implementation milestones. Basic computer skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is desired, but not required.

The candidate must have the ability to manage multiple tasks, while shepherding large projects through a complex and often changing process. To develop effective and positive interpersonal relationships with all staff and with other partner agencies; To analyze and prepare detailed cultural resource compliance reports and documentation including maps, images, and diagrams that will assist with agency planning and compliance; To review and approve contracted cultural resource compliance reports; To work independently and as part of a team; To develop and maintain effective relationships with cultural resource managers from respective state, federal, and tribal entities.

The preferred candidate will be able to obtain an annual Arizona Antiquities Act (AAA) blanket permit. In addition, the preferred candidate will be able to clearly demonstrate ability and willingness to coach/mentor a team and others and have considerable education and experience in managing compliance for a natural resource or land management agency, including performing tribal coordination and project clearance or coordination with a state historic preservation office.

The candidate must have a master’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field and three years of professional or managerial experience in archaeology or cultural resources management and compliance or any combination of training and experience that meets the KSAs. Must be able to meet the qualifications set forth in the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Professional Qualifications (36 CFR Part 61).

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 nor 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).

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 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 Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.