Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Mesa, AZ

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hiring an Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager in Arizona to lead a team managing sportfish and native fish research, habitats, and budgets. This permanent role requires a bachelor's degree in a wildlife field, leadership experience, and offers comprehensive state benefits. The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages fish and wildlife in Arizona and under the authority of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, creates and implements scientific methods and regulations to effectively manage fish and wildlife habitat via conservation, enforcement, hunting, fishing, watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation, and shooting sports. The Arizona Game and Fish Department dedicates itself to excellence, values its employees and supports a culture of stewardship, teamwork and partnerships.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science or a closely related field.
Professional experience in fisheries or wildlife research and management (advanced degrees can substitute for experience).
Knowledge of wildlife science best practices, leadership techniques, and budget management.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to work irregular hours or travel remotely.
Ability to apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Ability to apply wildlife science and management best practices as appropriate to supervisory assignment development.
Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with the various governmental agencies, special interest groups, the media and the public.
Ability to provide appropriate public relations and customer service within and outside the agency to a variety of individuals and private and public entities.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to negotiate with public and private entities and individuals.
Ability to work irregular hours, including on weekends and holidays and at night.
Ability to perform field site visits, sometimes in extreme weather and/or isolated conditions.
Ability to use various modes of transportation, such as planes, helicopters, horses, mules, boats, four-wheel drive, ATVs and specialized equipment common to wildlife work, as needed.
Ability to apply the principles of the Arizona Management System to the workplace environment and maintain a Regional Wildlife Program Team that reflects these principles.
Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.
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 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).

Nice To Haves

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Responsibilities

Supervises, coaches, mentors and trains subordinate personnel in aquatic wildlife science and management principles and functions.
Coordinates and supervises the activities of subordinates.
Ensures all program-related administrative matters, e.g., budget, finances, reports, and equipment maintenance etc. are appropriately handled.
Manages workflow, provides program oversight and ensures staff competency and development.
Programmatic activities include sportfish and native fish management (surveys, habitat evaluation/improvement, creel data collection, and stocking) review/issuance of special licenses, sportfish education, and evaluation of boating/angler access needs.
Supervises and monitors aquatic wildlife study plans, programs, projects and procedures.
Reviews, edits, evaluates and/or approves survey data, technical reports and publications.
Develops and/or reviews aquatic wildlife management plans and guidelines.
Prepares and/or reviews material for publication in technical journals and magazines, for the media or for presentation to scientific conferences, department personnel, other agencies, the general public and/or the media.
Oversees environmental compliance related to program implementation.
Negotiates contracts, memorandums of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, etc.
Communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with various federal, state, county, municipal agencies and private interests in developing and implementing activities and policies that benefit wildlife populations and aquatic wildlife related recreation activities.
Participates on recovery teams and other T&E/SGCN work groups.
May operate a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work, perform specialized oversight required for the respective program or work area.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

13 days’ of vacation
12 sick days
10 paid holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
Superior health care options
Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)
Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available
Many more benefit programs are available
Paid Parental Leave program