Address:  2002 CLUFF RANCH, PIMA, ARIZONA 85543

Hourly Rate Range: $24.00-$28.00 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 04/07/2025

This position plans and manages all aspects of the operation, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife habitats, public use facilities, and other features associated with Department properties in the Safford area. This position acts as resident and manager for all activities associated with Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area, as well as Department management associated with Roper Lake & Land, Lebanon Ditch and other properties as assigned.

-Monitor wildlife populations and habitats in the wildlife areas.
-Maintain residence. shop, equipment, roads, fences, and water delivery systems.
-Order supplies and materials as necessary for projects. Monitor expenditures and budgets.
-Plant and maintain wildlife food crops and habitat features.
-Conduct and assist in wildlife and fish surveys on the properties.
-Assist the public in numerous activities on all the properties.
-Oversee volunteers, labor crews, and interns.
-Prepare, maintain, communicate, and archive project records and documents.
-Act as steward of an equipment inventory.
-Serve as a member of Lands Council in planning the allocation of project resources and cooperating to achieve project goals and objectives.
-Use innovation and project management skills to enhance the effectiveness, quality, and economy of activities.
-Prepares grant applications.
-Act as a liaison to the local community to enhance wildlife areas.
-Provide informational outreach (written, verbal, and media) on project activities and functions to wildlife area visitors, classrooms, event participants, professional organizations, government, and community groups, etc.
-Perform other duties as assigned

The candidate will have knowledge of wildlife ecology and wildlife management techniques; construction and enhancement principles; business writing for communication; facilities, ranch, and farm operation and management principles; state wildlife laws; crops, plants, soils, and husbandry techniques appropriate to the desert portions of central Arizona; vehicle and miscellaneous equipment operations and maintenance methods; first aid and emergency first responder techniques; project planning and oversight; basic understanding of NEPA, SHPO, ESA, EPA, USFS, BLM, ASLD, NRCS and basic knowledge of cultural resources. The candidate will be skilled in oral and written communication skills; computer and standard software; customer service; proper safety precautions for handling potentially hazardous materials; welding and cutting of metals; operation of heavy equipment and hand/power tools; handling heavy materials; operating vehicles and equipment; basic plumbing, carpentry, fencing, concrete work, masonry, welding, roofing, and sheet metal work; maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, equipment, and small engines; proper towing of vehicles, trailers, and equipment; follow maintenance schedules, procedures, and specifications for assigned equipment. The candidate will have the ability to coordinate with Federal and State Agencies, volunteer groups, and Department personnel; work alone in remote areas under extreme environmental conditions; multitask; update the features of the properties to meet changing needs of wildlife and the public.

Cluff Ranch uses State Prison inmate labor to accomplish operation and maintenance tasks. Department of Corrections requires that the Wildlife Area Manager complete an annual 8-hour inmate supervisor refresher course and that inmate labor be provided with the proper personal protective equipment and instruction to accomplish their assigned tasks.

The preferred candidate will have a four year degree in wildlife management or similar field. Will also have experience on a farm/ranch, ordering, purchasing, contracting, and overseeing projects and budgets.

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, 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 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).

All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program.

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 Amy Lacy at alacy@azgfd.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.