Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager

Arizona Department of Administration•Mesa, AZ

3d•$60,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager to lead a passionate team of specialists and researchers in wildlife conservation. This role involves strategic planning, programmatic priorities, and overseeing budgetary and operational frameworks to ensure wildlife management initiatives thrive. The position offers a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on stewardship, including fieldwork in diverse landscapes and potentially remote or rugged terrain. The manager will empower and mentor a team, drive scientific data analysis, participate in advisory groups, build partnerships with various agencies and stakeholders, serve as a subject matter expert, and manage the regional Wildlife Program's administration and strategic direction, including fiscal budgets and performance metrics.

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.
Working knowledge of federal and state wildlife laws, regulations, policies 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.
Experience planning, organizing, administering, and leading the operational aspects and strategic direction of a regional Wildlife Program.
Knowledge of Wildlife science and wildlife management and best practices.
Knowledge of Federal, state and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
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.
Knowledge of Principles of the Arizona Management System and its application.
Knowledge of Public needs and attitudes toward wildlife.
Skill in Planning and executing wildlife related programs.
Skill in Apply work supervision and leadership techniques, including coaching, mentoring and staff development.
Skill in Effectively manage time.
Skill in Recognize conflicting public values and viewpoints and respond effectively.
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.
Possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

Responsibilities

Empower, mentor, and supervise a dedicated team; fostering professional growth, celebrating key achievements, and cultivating an environment of excellence.
Drive cutting-edge science by gathering, compiling, and analyzing critical wildlife inventory and monitoring data to inform high-level management actions.
Champion innovation and agency initiatives by participating in key advisory groups, process improvement teams, and committees dedicated to advancing wildlife management.
Build powerful, collaborative partnerships with state, federal, tribal, and municipal agencies, as well as private stakeholders, to advocate for wildlife populations and enhance outdoor recreation across the state.
Serve as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on wildlife biology and stewardship, delivering expert guidance and training to agency colleagues, external partners, and the public.
Spearhead the administration and strategic direction of the regional Wildlife Program, managing fiscal budgets, work assignments, and performance metrics to ensure maximum conservation impact.
Supervises and coordinates a staff of wildlife specialists or other personnel and their assistants engaged in complex wildlife research, management and/or environmental studies in the field and laboratory.
Coordinates and monitors wildlife study plans, programs and procedures.
Provides coordination inside and outside the agency to ensure successful wildlife program implementation.
Develops and administers wildlife programs and is responsible for strategic planning and establishing programmatic priorities.
Ensures all related activities, e.g., budgetary, fiscal, planning, outreach, etc. are completed appropriately.
Supervise 4 Regional Wildlife Program Specialists and their individual subprograms.
Conduct and review performance evaluations, personnel investigations and recommend discipline.
Coach and mentor program staff in policy, procedures, skills and abilities.
Recognize achievements.
Plan, organize, administer and lead the operational aspects of the regional Wildlife Program, including; budgets, work assignments and program performance evaluations.
Develop and encourage effective procedures.
Implement corrective actions as necessary.
Collect, compile, and analyze data, conduct management actions and report on wildlife inventory, monitoring, and management activities to the Regional Supervisor, Executive Staff and the Game and Fish Commission.
Participate on committees, advisory groups, process improvement teams and work groups related to wildlife management and Department operations.
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, wildlife related recreation and the interests of the people of the State of Arizona.
Serve as a technical and informational advisor to the work units, programs, regional employees, public and private entities with respect to wildlife biology and management.
Provide training as appropriate.
Conduct fieldwork to administer the wildlife program and implement projects and priorities of the subprograms as necessary.
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