Wildlife Specialist

Statewide for the Department's Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, and under general supervision by the Department's Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative Coordinator, the Avian Monitoring Coordinator's duties are to: plan, organize, conduct, coordinate and analyze complex management and conservation field studies on bird species.

Major duties include:

- Plan, organize, coordinate, conduct and analyze projects related to inventory, monitoring, management and conservation of nongame wildlife and habitats, with emphasis on bird species

- Oversee, assist and train other personnel and/or volunteers on program activities; may supervise other personnel, and evaluate and edit work products of others

- Use specialized tools and data processing to analyze information collected from primary and secondary sources, develop protocols and guidelines; prepare charts, correspondence, graphs, maps and text; and write reports for internal use and for technical and popular publications.

- Plan and assess field days and equipment needs; may develop and manage project budgets

- Review popular and technical publications to increase proficiency in all areas of responsibility. Advise the Department on policies, rules, regulations, laws and issues related to bird species; and counsel outside groups and agencies, and the public in matters relating to wildlife and habitat

- Operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment common to terrestrial, aquatic and habitat-oriented wildlife work and to office duties associated with such work; use standard and 4WD vehicles and watercraft in field work.

- Deliver presentations at scientific conferences, workshops, and training sessions and to Department personnel, other agencies and the general public

- Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of habitat and wildlife field investigation, management and conservation techniques, species status, distribution, and habitat requirements, primarily for birds but in general for all Arizona wildlife. A candidate will use effective grammar, writing and visuals (charts and graphs) techniques to relay information internally and to the public. A candidate should also be familiar with Game and Fish, and environmental laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Candidates must be skilled in project planning and execution, partnership development, bird species identification, data gathering procedures, applying standardized and general wildlife survey techniques, using data management systems, statistical analysis techniques, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, evaluation and interpretation of data, report writing, verbal and written communications, work management, and supervision, orienteering (using topographic maps and GPS), camping, and hiking while working alone or with a partner in primitive field conditions.

The candidate must be able to develop effective and positive working relationships with the public, tribes, various local, state and federal governmental agencies, special interest groups and the media; provide positive and effective customer service to a variety of internal and external customers; proactively engage agencies, individuals and other entities in support of program goals and identify opportunities for project collaborations; Successfully employ public relations techniques to promote program accomplishments; train and evaluate other specialists and volunteers; work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays and at night, and work outdoors in extreme and isolated condition; identify wildlife in less than optimal conditions. Must also be able to obtain a special certification as required.

The preferred candidate will have field work experience with the wide diversity of AZ bird species and their habitats, experience with planning and coordinating complex research and monitoring projects, report writing, data management, statistical analysis, and GIS mapping.

The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in a biology or closely related field or in Wildlife Science.

Employment may be contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.).

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

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance.