Fisheries Biologist 1

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST 1
“Fisheries Biologist 1”
WILDLIFE MGMT DIV / RESEARCH BRANCH / FLAGSTAFF, AZ BASED
FLSA-Non-Exempt / GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $21.14 - $23.00
CLOSING DATE: 11/29/2026

Description of Duties: The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Research Branch is recruiting to fill a regular full-time appointment for a Fisheries Biologist 1 position located in Flagstaff Arizona. Most fieldwork occurs on the Colorado River at Lees Ferry and in the Grand Canyon. The Fisheries Biologist 1 will be working in the Colorado River and responsible for maintaining and preparing scientific and sampling equipment for fish monitoring trips. The applicant must possess the skills to live, navigate, and camp, and work with a small group of people in remote wilderness environments for up to three weeks at a time with limited communication.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Major duties include:

FIELD WORK: Fish monitoring through electrofishing, hoop netting, angling, angler surveys (creel), and other fish sampling techniques. Be the crew lead and able to train volunteers and others in proper sampling protocols and methodology during monitoring trips. This position can expect to spend 60 to 100 days in the field, with up to 3 weeks at a time.

DATA ENTRY: Enter data from monitoring and research projects, including, but not limited to angler surveys and fish monitoring trips, as well as correct and enter historical data. Maintain related databases. Use a variety of data entry software programs: Excel, Access, SQLite, and others

MAINTENANCE: Maintain and prepare field equipment (e.g. PIT tag scanners, electrofishing equipment, nets, other instrumentation)

DATA ANALYSIS AND WRITING: Conduct data summary and statistical analyses using a variety of software: e.g. Excel,, Access, R, SQLite. Contribute to trip reports, annual reports, scientific manuscripts. Give oral presentations to the general public as well scientists (at conferences, meetings, etc.) using Powerpoint or other presentation software

Performs other duties as assigned

The candidate must have knowledge of a wide range of fish capture techniques, biology and life history of fishes, scientific method and analytical thought, and federal and state rules, regulations and procedures when working with fish and wildlife.

Candidates must be skilled to live, navigate and work in remote wilderness environments for extended periods of time (up to three weeks), operating motorized vehicles/watercraft and non-motorized watercraft, handling, tagging and measuring of various aquatic wildlife species, first aid and survival techniques and use of various field or office equipment including but not limited to radios, compasses, GPS units, orthophotos, trailers, all-terrain vehicles and 4-wheel drive trucks, computer software and programs such as Word, Excel, Access, Google, GIS, R, SQL.

The ideal candidate will be able to clearly follow policies and standardized protocols as well as both oral and written directions from supervisors, work both independently and as part of a research team to achieve project goals, sometimes within a crew leadership role, learn the use of specialized sampling equipment and data gathering techniques, problem solve and provide input to project design and implementation and work irregular house, including weekends, holidays and at night, in extreme and remote work environments for extended period of time. The ideal candidate will have the ability to think and work independently and lead extended fish monitoring trips.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a biology or closely related field. Experience with monitoring fish on large rivers in remote areas for extended periods of time, particularly within the Grand Canyon is preferred.

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

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

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.