Habitat Program Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Kingman, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a Habitat Program Manager to join their Field Operations Division in Region 3, based in Kingman, Arizona. This role is crucial for conserving and protecting Arizona's wildlife species by managing resources for safe and compatible opportunities. The department focuses on using science-based management and ensuring effective fish and wildlife habitat management through conservation, enforcement, and recreation support. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead complex wildlife research and management programs, balancing ecological needs, public interests, and legal requirements. The selected candidate will provide scientific, technical, and regulatory oversight for wildlife and habitat projects, supervise professional staff, and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and policies. 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.
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.
Skills in planning and executing wildlife related programs.
Ability to apply work supervision and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring and staff.
Ability to apply job-related federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Ability 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.
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 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

Lead Conservation Programs with Integrity, ensuring 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.
Provide expert scientific and regulatory guidance to agency leadership, project proponents, and partners.
Ensure Accountability and Compliance by overseeing 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.
Review federal, state, and local projects for federal and state compliance and offer habitat and wildlife input.
Represent the Department at meetings for habitat-related projects.
Coordinate priorities for the team to ensure task completion and coordinate work activities with other supervisors.
Supervise and coordinate a staff of one wildlife specialist and assist other personnel engaged in complex, management and/or environmental studies.
Coordinate and monitor wildlife study plans, programs, and procedures.
Provide coordination inside and outside the agency to ensure successful habitat program implementation.
May perform specialized oversight required for the respective program or work area.
May operate a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work.
Ensure all program-related administrative matters, e.g., budget, finances, reports, etc. are appropriately handled.
Serve periodically as acting Regional Supervisor, on Department teams, and conduct other duties as assigned.
Supervise 1 full time employee.

Benefits

13 days’ of vacation
12 sick days
10 paid holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System (enrollment eligibility after 27 weeks of employment)
Superior health care options
Vision care
Dental care
Pharmacy benefits
Flexible spending account (options available)
Life insurance options
Long-term disability insurance options
Short-term disability insurance options
Many more benefit programs
Paid Parental Leave program