Wildlife Specialist Senior “Project Evaluation Program Specialist”

The Department’s Project Evaluation Program (PEP) coordinates the Department’s statewide review and evaluation of land and water projects. PEP evaluates proposed project areas and reviews project documentation in order to determine the scope of the proposal and the potential for impacts to the State’s fish and wildlife resources. The PEP team is currently seeking to fill its Project Evaluation Specialist position, which will be responsible for coordinating the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (Department) statewide review and evaluation of land and water projects. This particular position will be the Energy lead for the Department.

Responsibilities for the position will include:

• Evaluate proposed Energy and Transmission Development projects but could also review Federal Land Management Planning documents, Federal projects, Transportation and Urban Planning, and other forms of development to determine potential impacts to the Department’s mission and the State’s fish and wildlife resources 
• Coordinate and participate in inter-agency land management planning efforts
• Coordinate the review, development, and communication of Department comments and/or position
• Review and administer the environmental compliance documentation for Department projects
• Maintain and update program database(s) for project tracking, correspondence, and compliance
• Assist in the development of Annual Performance Reports and other Program documentation
• Attend meetings and represent the Department on interdisciplinary teams
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

The candidate must have knowledge of and/or experience in State and Federal environmental laws, regulations and policies, review and implementation of compliance
regulations, fish and wildlife habitat evaluation and project impact analysis, mitigation and
compensation measures consistent with Department policy Natural resources negotiations, and computer hardware and software knowledge.

Candidates must be able to develop effective and positive interpersonal relationships with all staff and other partner agencies, analyze and prepare environmental assessment documents including maps, images and diagrams that will assist with agency planning and compliance, adjust to changing program direction or priorities, and work independently or as part of a team.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and/or wildlife sciences or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.

The preferred candidate will have knowledge of and experience with fish and wildlife habitat evaluations and project impact analyses; environmental compliance; environmental laws, regulations and policies; mitigation and compensation measures to address impacts to fish and wildlife resources; natural resource negotiation and providing, presenting, and documenting information both written and verbal

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then 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 nor 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 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