Address: 5000 W Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona

Hiring Salary Range: $60,000 - $84,000 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 03/31/2025  

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR STATEWIDE
“Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy Program Manager”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / HEADQUARTERS / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 24 /Hiring Range $60,000-$84,000
CLOSING DATE: 03/31/2025

Under the leadership of the Assistant Director, the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy Program Manager oversees the implementation of the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy (AWCS), a program comprised of interconnected projects that include: 1) oversight and development of information and spatial technology; 2) financial framework development and management; 3) natural resource impacts and assessment for mitigation developing and monitoring; 4) Statewide Wildlife Action Plan. This will include the leadership, planning, coordination, participation on conservation committees at the national/regional level, implementation and reporting of objectives and goals to develop and oversee the Wildlife Data Warehouse and associated tools, dashboards and outreach to stakeholders and industry on a statewide basis.

Manages program budget and provides project implementation of the AWCS, including project initiation, tracking and invoicing, management of the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy and the development of the Wildlife Data Warehouse and sub projects associated with collating of the AWCS. This position supervises and provides guidance to the programs specialists on the dashboard, technology and geospatial systems that integrate wildlife, data and financial systems.

The AWCS Program Manager provides oversight, identifies, evaluates and recommends a suitable and legal financial management framework to collect and administer mitigation funds generated through partnerships to implement partnership and conservation actions. This includes identifying strategies and components to effectively support AWCS actions in conservation opportunity areas including natural resources impacts assessment and mitigation development and monitoring. In addition, will lead development, implementation and management of a program and associated technical staffing and resources to operate the AWCS and a program process(es) that identifies and evaluates mitigation.

The AWCS Program Manager will provide coordination on Outreach, Marketing and Sales strategies. Will identify, engage and recruit conservation partners to participate in the AWCS and coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders, regulated community and potential partners as well as other states' wildlife agencies to provide regional conservation coordination. Perform other duties as assigned.

The candidate must have knowledge of biology including zoology, ecology, conservation, WL MGT and ecosystem restoration; management, research and conservation policies, procedures, programs, practices, principles and philosophy as they pertain to wildlife related resources; information management systems and geospatial data; program development, management and analysis; personnel management and motivation; public relation strategies and how to develop and focus public involvement; marketing and program promotion techniques. Commission and Department missions, goals, objectives, policies and procedures and environmental position statements; State and Federal wildlife, environmental and cultural resource laws, regulations, rules and policies including NEPA and ESA; structure, function and responsibilities of pertinent State and Federal agencies and private organizations; State and Federal contracting, procurement, personnel, administrative and rule-making practices, policies and procedures.

The candidate must have skill in recognizing and forecasting short/long-range natural resource needs and pressures; data and program analysis; develop, advocate, interpret and implement policies, programs, laws, etc.; supervisor/leadership techniques, to include coaching, mentoring of staff. Applying WL science and management best practices. Develop and maintain working relationships with various government entities and groups, stakeholders and the regulated community and industry, including media and public. Provides appropriate public relations and customer service internally and externally to a variety of individuals and private public entities. The candidate must have skill in project management, timelines and tracking of deliverables and coordinating across program areas; electronic data processing and analysis; technical writing negotiation; conflict resolution; developing alternative funding; contracting; applying and interpreting State and Federal WL and environmental laws and regulations.

The candidate must have the ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; oversee, lead, supervise and train staff; analyze and solve problems; make administrative, procedural, programmatic decisions and judgments; develop cohesive and positive relationships internally and externally; create compose and edit written materials; develop, plan and implement short and long term goals; think creatively and analytically. Interact with the public and apply public relations and problem-solving techniques.

The candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in a wildlife related field with a minor or special focus in geospatial information or information systems and three years of professional experience as a project manager or at a manager level.

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.