Program Administrator

GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Delivering results that matter by providing best in class support services. 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. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.

Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona

Salary Range: $56,098–$100,989

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 03/01/2026

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is currently seeking a Wildlife Education Curator to join our dynamic wildlife conservation education team. This role plays an integral part in ensuring our facility, husbandry and animal behavior management practices are upheld to the highest standards while managing our wildlife education and outreach programs.

• Manages the Department’s non‑releasable live wildlife collection and the Desert Tortoise Adoption Program, assuring that all operations comply with established procedures, professional standards and governmental regulations.
• Responsible for oversight of best practices through audits and inspections, drills, curation of SOP’s, compliance with safety protocols, emergency action plans and adherence to Department, state and federal policies and standards.
• Manages wildlife education and outreach programs by creating and implementing community programs including, but not limited to, classes, educator professional development, training, outreach programs and events.
• Directs, motivates, trains and evaluates the performance of animal care and outreach/education staff, interns and volunteers to achieve the programmatic goals and objectives.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in and manages enclosure and facility design, fabrication, construction and maintenance of animal displays and enclosures, facility improvements and repairs.
• Manages assigned budget, monitoring expenses for supplies, projects and services throughout the year. Reviews and analyzes activities, costs, operations and forecasts data to determine progress toward goals and objectives.
• May serve as the Education Branch Chief when necessary and performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate will have knowledge of/in: wildlife conservation, familiarity with native wildlife of Arizona, basic knowledge of wildlife, ecology, biology and other sciences required for the preparation and presentation of educational programs, captivity standards, animal husbandry techniques, federal, state and all other applicable statutes and laws governing the captive care and use of live wildlife in educational programs, live wildlife exhibit and enclosure design, interpretive display design and development that incorporates multiple learning styles, supervision and leadership, and event planning,…