WILDLIFE AIRCRAFT PILOT
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / AVIATION BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA – Non-exempt / PART TIME
SALARY GRADE 25 / HIRING HOURLY RANGE $29.16 - $40.00
CLOSING DATE: 03/12/2026
The Aviation Section of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is under the Field Operations Division and is responsible for all aviation activities conducted in conjunction with AGFD and Commission directed activities. Aviation support is provided for various missions consisting mainly of wildlife surveys, radio telemetry, law enforcement patrols (day and night) for officer and public safety, search and rescue, aerial photography, wildlife and personnel transport. The Wildlife Aircraft Pilot will be responsible for providing safe and efficient operation of Department aircraft for the various Department missions.
Major duties include:
- Operates single engine land aircraft, responsible for inspecting aircraft flight and maintenance records for compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
- Prepares all paperwork required by AGFD and Aviation Section
- Assists with cleaning of aircraft and general maintenance of hangar and office facilities
- Serves as chief pilot in his/her absence
- Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- FAA Commercial Single-Engine Land (SEL) pilot certificate, instrument rating
- FAA Class I or Class II medical
- 2000 flight hours (SEL) to include verifiable previous low-level flight experience and a tailwheel endorsement with a minimum of 200 hours of logged tailwheel time.
Knowledge of FAA regulations and their applications, aircraft performance, aerodynamics, and flight dynamics particularly at low level flight (100-200 feet above ground level); knowledge of geography and topography of the State of Arizona, GPS navigation units, computer programs and portable electronic devices.
Skilled in low level flight related to wildlife management or other experience such as forestry, crop spraying, or other related low level experience, and be skilled to maneuver aircraft safely at extremely low levels, at minimal airspeed, under less than optimum and often hazardous conditions, maintaining precise heading and altitude for long periods of duration, remain constantly alert for in-flight safety hazards; skilled flying tail-wheel and tricycle geared aircraft under a variety of flight conditions, operating in remote areas and over rugged terrain.
Ability to maneuver the aircraft to safely survey, classify and/or locate wildlife; communicated with Air Traffic Control and the ability to work and interact with a variety of personalities and mission profiles. This position requires the ability to fly internationally into Mexico.
As part of the selection process potential candidates will be required to pass a flight interview in a Department aircraft with the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Chief Pilot.
This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and 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).
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 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 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.