Habitat Program Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•KINGMAN, KS

6d•$60,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. This role blends strategic program leadership, field-based science, and regulatory oversight, offering a unique opportunity to guide complex wildlife research and management programs that balance ecological needs, public interests, and legal requirements. The Habitat Program Manager provides scientific, technical, and regulatory oversight for wildlife and habitat projects. This position supervises professional staff engaged in complex field and office work and ensures programs are conducted in compliance with federal, state, and agency laws, policies, and procedures. The role emphasizes data integrity, defensible management decisions, and accountability in the use of public resources.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field and three years professional experience in fisheries and/or wildlife research/management.
Knowledge in wildlife science and wildlife management and best practices.
Knowledge of Federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures, including NEPA.
Knowledge of work supervision principles and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring, employee discipline and staff development.
Knowledge of public relations, negotiation and customer service principles and techniques.
Knowledge of principles and practices of state of Arizona budget management and procurement.
Skilled in planning and executing wildlife related programs.
Skilled in applying work supervision and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring and staff.
Able to apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Able to apply accepted wildlife science principles and resource management best practices when developing and overseeing work assignments, ensuring supervisory decisions and activities support effective, ethical, and science-based wildlife management outcomes.
Able to develop and maintain working relationships with the various governmental agencies, special interest groups, the media and the public.
Able to provide appropriate public relations and customer service within and outside the agency to a variety of individuals and private and public entities.
Able to communicate verbally and in writing.
Able to negotiate with public and private entities and individuals.
Able to work irregular hours, including on weekends and holidays and at night.
Able to perform field site visits, sometimes in extreme weather and/or isolated conditions.
Able to use various modes of transportation, such as boats, four-wheel drive, UTVs and specialized equipment common to wildlife work, as needed.
Possession of and ability to maintain valid Arizona driver’s license appropriate to assignment.
Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of federal and state wildlife laws, regulations, permitting requirements, and compliance standards.
2-4 years of experience developing, implementing, or overseeing wildlife study plans or management strategies.
Experience with budget management and procurement.
Experience supervising professional or technical staff in wildlife and habitat management.

Responsibilities

Ensure all activities comply with federal, state, and agency rules, regulations, and policies, including permitting, reporting, and data integrity requirements. Write responses to project proponents with wildlife and habitat guidance.
Develop, implement, and oversee wildlife area plans, management guidelines, and program priorities aligned with agency goals and conservation mandates while emphasizing appropriate permitting and habitat guidance.
Provide expert scientific and regulatory guidance to agency leadership, including recommendations for strategic direction and programmatic improvements. Also provide guidance to project proponents and partners in meetings.
Oversee program-related administrative functions, including budgets, fiscal tracking, procurement, reporting, and contracts.
Review, edit, and approve technical reports, survey data, and publications to ensure accuracy, scientific rigor, and regulatory defensibility.
Supervise, coach, mentor, and train a wildlife specialist and other regional staff in wildlife science and policies, management practices, and compliance expectations.
Coordinate daily work priorities to ensure timely task completion while maintaining safety, quality, and adherence to policy.
Foster staff development, competency, and professional growth through both formal and informal leadership.
Serve as a trusted liaison with other agencies, tribes, stakeholders, special interest groups, and the public.
Prepare and present materials for public meetings and media outlets.
Navigate complex social, logistical, and environmental challenges with diplomacy and sound judgment.
The primary purpose of this position is to review federal, state, and local projects for federal and state compliance as well as offer habitat and wildlife input on those projects, usually through written letters.
Represents the Department at meetings for habitat related projects.
Coordinates priorities for the team to ensure task completion; coordinates work activities with other supervisors.
Supervises and coordinates a staff of one wildlife specialist and assists other personnel engaged in complex, management and/or environmental studies in the field and office.
Coordinates and monitors wildlife study plans, programs and procedures.
Provides coordination inside and outside the agency to ensure successful habitat program implementation.
Supervises and monitors wildlife study plans, programs, and procedures.
Reviews, edits, evaluates and/or approves survey data, technical reports and publications.
Provides counsel to leadership, and is deployed to diffuse complex social and logistical challenges at a broad programmatic level.
Provides expert advice to agency management, including recommendations for strategic direction. Develops and/or reviews wildlife management plans and guidelines.
Manages workflow and provides program oversight. May perform specialized oversight required for the respective program or work area. May operate a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work.
Supervises, coaches, mentors and trains subordinate personnel in wildlife science and management principles and functions.
Coordinates and supervises the activities of subordinates. Ensures staff competency and development. Exerts formal and informal leadership for direct reports and employees in other work units in support of Department/Commission direction.
Prepares and/or reviews material for publication in technical journals and magazines, for the media or for presentation to, department personnel, other agencies, the general public and/or the media.
Ensures all program-related administrative matters, e.g., budget, finances, reports, etc. are appropriately handled.
Serves periodically as acting Regional Supervisor, on Department teams, and conducts other duties as assigned. Supervises 1 full time employee.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

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