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Search Rescue Jobs in Gilbert, AZ (NOW HIRING)

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Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$34.66/hr

FEMA's Emergency Management Performance (EMPG) grant, Search and Rescue (SAR), Nuclear Emergency Management Fund (NEMF), Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), State Border Security Fund ...

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Search Rescue information

See Gilbert, AZ salary details

$16.2K

$55.7K

$113.5K

How much do search rescue jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for search rescue in Gilbert, AZ is $55,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,408.00 and $69,309.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Search Rescue vs Search and Rescue Technician?

AspectSearch RescueSearch and Rescue Technician
CertificationsFirst aid, CPR, basic rescue trainingAdvanced rescue certifications, technical rescue training
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, varied terrains, emergency situationsOutdoor, technical rescue scenarios, often specialized
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, NGOs, militaryEmergency services, specialized rescue teams
Search & Comparison IntentGeneral search and rescue rolesTechnical rescue operations, specialized skills

Search Rescue involves basic to intermediate rescue efforts in outdoor environments, often performed by volunteers or general emergency personnel. Search and Rescue Technicians typically have advanced training and perform technical rescues in complex scenarios. While both roles focus on saving lives, Search and Rescue Technicians require specialized skills and certifications for technical rescue operations.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Search and Rescue roles, and how can new team members prepare for them?

Search and Rescue professionals often encounter physically demanding environments, unpredictable weather, and high-stress situations requiring quick decision-making. New team members should be prepared for irregular hours, including nights and weekends, and the need to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams such as emergency medical personnel and local law enforcement. Building strong physical fitness, staying current on technical rescue skills, and developing effective communication abilities are key to overcoming these challenges and contributing successfully to the team.

What Are Jobs in Search and Rescue?

Jobs in search & rescue, often abbreviated to SAR, involve supervising, training, planning, and coordinating SAR missions and crews that provide on-call support for emergencies and disasters. The duties and responsibilities of these jobs focus on directing staff during rescue efforts as well as volunteers who are helping search for missing people. These positions are found in law enforcement, national parks, the military, and even some non-profit organizations. SAR missions involve using planes, boats, or other exploration devices to traverse terrain, track signals, and otherwise locate people who need rescuing. Job qualifications include strong leadership and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Search and Rescue professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Search and Rescue professional, you need strong physical fitness, situational awareness, and knowledge of emergency response procedures, often backed by certifications such as EMT or wilderness first responder. Familiarity with GPS navigation, radio communication equipment, and rescue tools like ropes and stretchers is essential. Excellent teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this field. These skills ensure effective coordination, quick decision-making, and successful outcomes in high-stress, life-saving situations.

What are Search and Rescue professionals?

Search and Rescue (SAR) professionals are trained individuals who locate and assist people who are lost, injured, or in danger, often in remote or hazardous environments. Their work may involve searching for missing hikers, rescuing disaster victims, or providing emergency medical assistance. SAR teams can include volunteers and professionals from various backgrounds such as law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and the military. Their operations often require specialized skills like navigation, first aid, and survival techniques. These professionals play a crucial role in responding to emergencies and saving lives.

What job pays 400,000 a year without a degree?

In search and rescue roles, such high salaries are uncommon without specialized experience or leadership positions. Typically, high-paying jobs without a degree include certain sales, entrepreneurship, or executive roles, but these are not directly related to search and rescue work. Most rescue positions require training, certifications, and experience rather than high salaries without formal education.
What job categories do people searching Search Rescue jobs in Gilbert, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Search Rescue jobs in Gilbert, AZ are:
What cities near Gilbert, AZ are hiring for Search Rescue jobs? Cities near Gilbert, AZ with the most Search Rescue job openings:
Infographic showing various Search Rescue job openings in Gilbert, AZ as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,720 per year, or $26.8 per hour.
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$34.66/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

DEPT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS The Department of Emergency & Military Affairs (DEMA), led by The Adjutant General, provides emergency management and military capabilities to the citizens of Arizona and the nation. The Emergency Management Division consists of three sections-operations, preparedness, and financial administration. Each section works collaboratively across the agency and with external partners to manage emergency responses and reduce the impacts of disasters. Additionally, DEMA is the headquarters for the Arizona National Guard, the primary combat reserve of the United States military. The Arizona Army and Air National Guard provide military forces and equipment to accomplish community, state, and federal missions.
GRANTS MANAGER
Job Location:
Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ
Posting Details:
Salary: UP TO $34.6632 per hour (DOE) Grade: 23 OPEN UNTIL FILLED (resumes will be reviewed weekly)
Job Summary:
The Grant Manager position is a branch manager responsible for providing full grant lifecycle assistance through FEMA and State preparedness and response grant programs. This position works with the Grants Administrator in developing and writing/rewriting of Arizona Revised Statutes, Arizona Administrative Codes, and appropriation bills related to border security and preparedness grants, as well as the State's response to proposed changes in federal laws/policies/regulations regarding border security, preparedness, and response grant activities. This role is responsible for supervising the operations and daily activities of emergency management grant staff in their duties and responsibilities of managing and administering federal and state border security, preparedness and response grant programs, to include but not limited to: FEMA's Emergency Management Performance (EMPG) grant, Search and Rescue (SAR), Nuclear Emergency Management Fund (NEMF), Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), State Border Security Fund, and State sponsored preparedness and response projects. This position provides expert-level technical assistance and communication to internal agencies, local, state, and federal officials on preparedness grant activities that support federal and state programs, and collaborates with local agencies to develop effective, compliant projects. Prepares for anytime (24/7) response and no-notice recalls to the State or Alternate Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), and/or Joint Field Office (JFO), and/or the State Recovery Operations Center (SROC) during disaster or exercise activations. Trains for specific SEOC/SROC positions and perform duties as assigned through internal agency policy. This position oversees and empowers border security, preparedness, and response grant staff by managing long-term milestones. Actively participates in promoting a continuous improvement of workplace culture, through the use of teamwork, root cause problem solving, standard operating procedures, and review of performance metrics.
Job Duties:
Responsibilities include:
โ€ข Oversees and empowers border security, preparedness and response grant staff by managing daily activities and long-term milestones, implementing leadership best practices, and driving professional development through coaching and mentoring. Leads the preparedness and response grant team in evaluating grant applications, verifying completeness and accuracy of all documentation, and ensuring strict compliance with state and federal eligibility standards.
โ€ข Directs allocation of reservist and FTE assignments, work schedules, hours, and certifies timekeeping and billing records against documented daily activities for each preparedness and response grant being billed.
โ€ข Provides leadership and direction to managers, supervisors, and professional staff across State and local agencies in emergency management. Conducts technical review of training material and able to instruct and facilitate FEMA classes, DEMA classes, grant information outreach, workshops, seminars, and internal programmatic training for stakeholders, applicants, and staff. Represents the organization by attending and presenting at industry forums, leadership round tables, regional and national emergency management gatherings, training institutes and stakeholder workshops, executive briefings and collaborative planning sessions, professional associations and networking events.
โ€ข Designs, deploys, and administers digital and physical file systems, while developing and refining official forms, templates, presentations, and operational tools. Ensures comprehensive technical and logistical support for grant program operations, maintaining rigorous control over records management, system integrity, and secure backup protocols.
โ€ข Initiates and provides outreach, and directs interfaces with stakeholders, officials and representatives at federal, State and local government levels, and Private Non-Profits in the application and management of multiple border security and preparedness grant programs.
โ€ข Maintains the branch annual updates to the administrative plans. Regularly evaluates, establishes, and manages budget of available management costs. Continually evaluates changing conditions, provides recommendations to the Grants Administrator. Also, the position determines funding availability, determines workload, and assignments for staff.
โ€ข Acts as a principal liaison between grant staff at FEMA, DEMA-EM, and all Sub-Applicants to ensure seamless coordination and compliance with program requirements. Authorizes and maintains State and sub-applicants' access to State and federal systems, including: eCivis, eGrants, FEMA GO, and NEMIS while safeguarding integrity and operational continuity.
โ€ข Acquires the requisite qualifications for SEOC positions and fulfills assigned duties consistent with organizational standards and regulatory mandates established by emergency management frameworks.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
โ€ข Processes and procedures utilized in delivering FEMA's preparedness grant programs.
โ€ข Laws, rules and regulations related to FEMA's preparedness grant programs, to include 2 CFR and federal and state procurement requirements.
โ€ข Arizona Emergency Management programs including EMPG,SAR, EMAC, AZMAC, and NEMF.
โ€ข Problems and limitations specific to natural and man-made disasters.
โ€ข Program management and end-to-end project delivery and oversight.
Skilled in:
โ€ข Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of management and staff.
โ€ข Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications.
โ€ข Using computer systems, (e.g., Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Google, etc.) as well as internal databases (e.g., FEMA GO, eGrants etc.).
โ€ข Advanced level problem-solving and analysis.
โ€ข Interpreting and applying complex regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Ability to:
โ€ข Listen effectively and take action based on communication received.
โ€ข Mentor, coach, and counsel subordinate staff.
โ€ข Manage multiple requests simultaneously, meet deadlines, and show flexibility to change direction when needed.
โ€ข Work collaboratively across all levels of the organization with a team-oriented mindset.
โ€ข Improve operations, decrease turnaround times, and streamline work processes
Selective Preference(s):
Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. The preferred candidate will have K/E708 Procurement Under Grants, K/E705 Fundamentals of Grants Management within 1 year of hire. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Master Emergency Manager certifications preferred. Credentialed through Arizona Qualification System. Five or more years of FEMA grant program or DEMA grant program systems experience.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Special Job Requirements:
โ€ข This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona 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.)
โ€ข U. S Passport to travel for Bi national Committee meetings/conferences.
โ€ข AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card
โ€ข Must be a U.S. citizen
โ€ข Candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background investigation as well as possess the ability to achieve a favorable Tier 1 investigation for the purpose of obtaining/maintaining a Common Access Card (CAC) within one year of hire to permit federal IT system access.
โ€ข Bachelor's degree in finance, public administration, business administration, emergency management, related field or 4 years of relevant work experience
โ€ข Minimum 2 years of emergency management finance or grant related experience.
โ€ข Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience. ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800, and FEMA Professional Development Series. IS-1002 FEMA Grants Portal.
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).
Benefits:
The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
โ€ข Sick leave
โ€ข Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
โ€ข Health and dental insurance
โ€ข Retirement plan
โ€ข Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
โ€ข Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Retirement:
Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).
Contact Us:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer