Address:  5000 W Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona

Salary: $77,958 - $141,454 

Grade: 28

Closing Date: 12/16/2024

The Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Branch Chief works under the general direction of the Assistant Director, Information, Education and Recreation Division (IERD) and is responsible and accountable for managing a Department Branch, including its personnel, budget, and resources.

This position is responsible for implementing and managing a wildlife recreation customer recruitment and retention plan that guides agency operations and organizational structure to address hunters, anglers and recreational shooters. Supervises, manages and directs the activities of the Department’s hunting and angling recruitment and retention programs. Manages and coordinates recruitment and retention efforts across agency work units including outdoor expos, campaign development, establishing partnerships, reaching non-traditional and underrepresented segments of the public. Oversees the Hunter Education Program, Scholastic Clay Target Program, Angling Education, and the National Archery In The Schools Program. Provides technical support and advice for hunt guidelines, fishing regulations, and rule processes to ensure they are in line with recruitment goals. Works with communities and partners to establish and assist local conservation groups in developing conservation and mentoring programs utilizing best practices for recruiting and retaining wildlife-related recreationists. Manages grant programs that provide funds to local organizations to recruit and retain participants. Serves as agency lead in coordinating with partners including industry and other organizations to identify and implement recruitment strategies and to coordinate nation-wide efforts. Serves as acting Assistant Director, serves on the Department’s Leadership Team, other cross-functional improvement teams. Provides presentations to the public, partners and the Commission. Develops annual budget proposals and operational plans. Develops and interprets agency policies and procedures. Establishes goals, objectives and evaluation measures for recruitment and retention efforts to ensure programs are effective. Identifies and pursues external grant opportunities to secure funds for recruitment and retention programs.

Major duties may include:

- Monitors program outputs against program goals and advises and acts on behalf of the Assistant Director of IERD

- Provides leadership for the implementation and execution of Departmental policies and procedures for programs in support of the Department

- Writes and/or edits programmatic strategic and operational plans, policies and procedures

- Administers allocated funds. Develops policy statements. Selects, trains, supervises, and counsels subordinate staff

- Evaluates program and staff effectiveness

- Perform other duties as assigned

Strong knowledge of hunting, angling and wildlife-related recreation issues and techniques and customer recreation recruitment and retention philosophies. Skills in oral and written communication, and the ability to lead, coach, mentor and manage others; skills in outdoor related activities related to hunting, fishing and shooting.

The candidate must be skilled in program development and management with the ability to analyze and forecast short and long-range resource needs. The candidate will have experience in personnel management, supervision, mentoring, delegation, conflict resolution, negotiation, public relations and procurement. The candidate must have strong skills in oral and written communications with the ability to communicate clearly and consistently.

The preferred candidate will have a BS degree in wildlife related science; or BS or BA in business administration, or public administration, and at least five years of management-level experience. Additional preferred experience includes: three years experience working in a public sector environment, two years experience in developing policies and procedures and two years of budget administration, and program management in wildlife recreation related activities experience.

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)

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.