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WILDLIFE SPECIALIST 2

“Terrestrial Wildlife Research Biologist”

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / RESEARCH BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED

FLSA- Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING SALARY RANGE  $48,000-$55,000

REQUISITION #542837 / CLOSING DATE: 09/07/2026

Join the only state agency in Arizona responsible for conserving and protecting more than 800 wildlife species. Be part of a passionate group of people who want to make a positive impact on outdoor recreation in Arizona by managing resources for safe, compatible opportunities for current and future generations. From fishing, boating and off-highway vehicle use to shooting sports, hunting and wildlife watching, Arizona Game and Fish supports it all. Our biologists use the best available science in their management actions, and our wildlife managers are on the ground in your communities making a difference every day. Opportunities abound beyond the field at AZGFD, so check us out and see what we’re all about! Consider joining our workforce today. AZGFD celebrates the diversity of Arizona's people, landscapes and of course, wildlife. However you choose to enjoy Arizona’s wildlife and wild places, the outdoors is open for all.

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.

Joining this workforce means entering an environment that values its employees, fosters teamwork, and provides a stable, highly rewarding career path.

Your Mission in the Wild

Wildlife Impact: By designing research studies, collecting data, and publishing results, your work directly addresses the agency's critical wildlife management needs.

Hands-On Conservation: Your fieldwork—which could include trapping, marking, and tracking wildlife—provides the raw insights needed to protect Arizona’s wildlife species.

Shaping Scientific Knowledge: By analyzing data and drafting peer-reviewed manuscripts, you contribute to the global body of wildlife science, ensuring Arizona stays at the forefront of conservation.

Fostering Future Conservationists: By supervising technicians, interns, and volunteers, you directly mentor and shape the next generation of wildlife professionals.

Community Engagement: Making scientific and public presentations ensures the agency's research findings are transparently shared with the communities working with and relying on wildlife.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science or a closely related field.
• Experience: Three years of professional wildlife research or management experience (an advanced degree can replace one year).
• Skills: Proficiency in study design, statistical and spatial data analysis, and field data collection.
• Requirements: Valid driver's license and passing a post-offer physical exam.

Description of Duties: The Wildlife Specialist 2 will work under the direction of the Terrestrial Research Program Manager to plan, organize, and conduct wildlife research studies in a field, office, or lab setting. This includes preparing draft study plans, leading field work to collect data, conducting data analysis, and preparing draft scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Research studies may include projects focusing on wildlife survey methods, population dynamics, harvest analysis, habitat evaluations and relations, predator-prey interactions, special studies, environmental inventories, or the effect of management or development actions. The Wildlife Specialist 2 prepares reports and documents to disseminate research findings, and is expected to make public presentations. The Wildlife Specialist 2 may be assigned to conduct wildlife research studies on a statewide or regional basis, and may work and camp in the field in remote areas for extended overnight periods.

This position supervises subordinate staff, interns and/or volunteers to complete assigned work projects. This position operates a variety of specialized equipment common to wildlife work and may be required to drive long distances. This position requires in-state and out-of-state travel including overnight multiple-day field trips, and weekend and holiday work will be occasionally required.

Major duties include:

• Conducting field surveys for various taxa including large mammals, small mammals, herpetofauna, and avian species. This position will also require conducting vegetation surveys and camera trap surveys. Major duties can also include trapping, marking, and tracking wildlife using aerial and/or ground telemetry techniques.
• Designing wildlife research studies and writing draft study plans to address wildlife management information needs.
• Collecting field data and analyzing data using statistical software. Prepares draft reports and scientific manuscripts.
• Making public presentations on wildlife research studies.
• Working in remote locations and camping in primitive conditions for up to 8 continuous days. Handles logistics for camps and fieldwork. Manages and maintains field equipment.
• Operating four-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs in rough terrain.
• Entering, managing, and analyzing data using laptop computers and statistical software.
• Supervising subordinate personnel, including wildlife technicians, interns, and volunteers.
• Performing other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: (KSA's): The candidate must have knowledge of the southwest, wildlife ecology, scientific methods, wildlife research and management techniques, data collection methods, statistical analysis, scientific report and manuscript preparation, and proper operation and maintenance of field equipment and various vehicles, e.g. four-wheel drive, all-terrain vehicles. In addition, must be knowledgeable and experienced with working, navigating, and camping in remote and harsh environments. Candidates must be skilled in collecting and analyzing field data, preparing and writing reports and scientific manuscripts, and presenting research study results. Must have the ability to use office equipment and perform both manual labor and office-related duties. Candidates must be able to communicate verbally and in writing and work alone and as part of a team. Must be able to work in remote locations for extended periods where overnight camping will be required. Must be able to work nights and weekends depending on field work needs. Must be able to fly in an airplane or helicopter to conduct surveys, captures, or habitat assessments.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. The preferred candidate will have a graduate degree in wildlife sciences  or a closely related field and experience with planning, designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting on scientific research projects.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. 

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and 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).

All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program.   

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

* 13 days of vacation

* 12 sick days with accumulation benefits

* 10 paid holidays

* 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

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.  

TO APPLY CLICK AZSTATEJOBS.GOV

CLICK SEARCH FOR JOBS, SELECT GAME AND FISH DEPT FROM AGENCY DROPDOWN