Volunteer Wildlife Explorer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSTRUCTION TECHNICIAN
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / REGION 4 / YUMA, ARIZONA BASED
FLSA - NON-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 17 / HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $19.00 - $22.00/HR
Build Your Career in the Wild: Wildlife Habitat Construction Technician (Yuma, AZ)
Are you a skilled tradesperson with a passion for the outdoors? Do you live for hunting, fishing, and exploring Arizona's wild places? The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is looking for a Wildlife Habitat Construction Technician to join our team in Region 4 (Yuma)!
This isn't your average construction job. You won't just be building structures; you will be building the future of Arizona's wildlife habitats. We are looking for individuals who take pride in their craft-whether it's welding, plumbing, concrete work, or heavy equipment operation-and want to apply those talents to make a tangible impact on our landscapes.
 Make an Impact: Use your construction expertise to protect and manage habitat for over 800 wildlife species.
 Adventure Awaits: Your "office" will be the great outdoors. This role involves working in remote, rugged terrain, providing a unique opportunity to experience Arizona's wilderness firsthand while camping out and working on meaningful projects.
 Team & Community: You'll coordinate with volunteers, mentor others, and work alongside a team of passionate professionals who share your dedication to conservation, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
You will be responsible for constructing, maintaining, and repairing wildlife waters and habitat structures throughout Region 4. From fabrication to field deployment, you will handle specialized projects that keep our ecosystems thriving for future generations. Ready to apply your skills where they matter most? Join the AZGFD team and help us ensure the outdoors remains open for all!

This position will serve as staff for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region IV. As a Habitat Technician, you will be responsible for performing a wide variety of construction tasks requiring technical skills in use of tools and equipment to construct, maintain and/or repair wildlife waters, habitat structures, devices or areas throughout the region. This may also include camping out for multiple days in remote areas. This position will also closely coordinate with the regional volunteer program and work directly with volunteers to execute projects and daily tasks. You will ensure compliance with Department procedures, maintain high standards of quality, and meet project deadlines while adhering to safety protocols and OSHA standards. Additionally, you will manage and maintain materials and equipment, including handling items valued over $30,000 and tools/equipment valued over $100,000. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Work Conditions: Work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays indoors and outdoors in Arizona's geographic and weather extremes. Considerable exposure to extreme weather conditions and hazardous conditions. Includes travel to remote work areas in a variety of vehicles. Outdoor work involves heavy lifting, walking and climbing over rugged terrain and camping out for extended periods in wilderness areas, sometimes in inclement weather conditions.
Major duties may include:
Construct, maintain and repair habitat development projects per Department policies, procedures and standards, and OSHA construction safety standards.
Safe highway and off-road operation of Department off-highway vehicles (OHV). four-wheel drive 3/4 ton, 1 ton, 1.5 ton, heavy duty water trucks, backhoes and skid steer loaders if applicable.
Operation and maintenance of a large variety of Department hand tools, power tools, welders and other construction equipment, camp gear and work areas.
Attend and participate in Department training opportunities and meetings and provide quality customer outreach and supervision in the field when applicable.
Accurate and timely completion of required Department electronic records and paperwork, including ETE entries, diaries, travel reimbursement forms, position resource files, Department surveys, purchasing documents and other required documentation for position.
Acquisition and safe transportation of construction materials and other supplies to and from Department projects, per municipal, state and federal laws and rules.
Load and unload project materials and personnel from trucks and helicopters, strictly adhering to all related Department and OSHA safety policies and standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.

The candidate must have knowledge in/of: general knowledge of a variety of construction trades (carpentry, plumbing, working with cement, welding, painting); basic survey equipment, levels, string line, power tools, generators and welders; handling and applying of hazardous materials associated with fiber glassing, PVC plumbing and other Industrial water-proofing materials; transport of Department and other agency personnel and volunteers and materials via aircraft; different helicopter models, loading order and weight distribution of passengers, weight limitations affected by temperature and wind, rigging long-line loads with cargo nets and chokers and basic knowledge of ground-to-pilot hand signals; two-way radio communications; Department radio system including vehicle and held held radios; map reading and knowledge in determining approximate location using hand-drawn and computer-generated topographical maps; basic use of global positioning system devices, such as acquiring way points and applying to topographical interfaces; basic knowledge of rendering First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automatic electronic defibrillator; knowledge of vehicle operations including OHVs, four-wheel drive pick-ups, 1 and 1.5 ton crew trucks and heavy duty water trucks; all laws and rules pertaining to operating vehicles requiring a Commercial Drivers License; safe boating and navigational practice.
The candidate must be skilled in: fence building, including lay-out, staging and installation of barbed and smooth wire, pipe rail and chain link fence materials; effective and safe use of pneumatic devices such as jack hammers, rock drills and post pounders; power tools such as chain saws, gas-powered cutting saws and cement mixers; plumbing including assembling PVC, HOPE, copper, galvanized and steel pipe systems; Welding including stick and MIG types, and proper oxygen acetylene cutting torch operation; Concrete including forming, reinforcing, mixing and pouring concrete; Masonry including using mortar to adhere natural rock or concrete block to habitat enhancements; developing skills specific to habitat enhancement construction and maintenance materials used In the fabrication of steel rain collection aprons and skills related to fiber glassing; safe loading and transporting materials over long distance on rough and remote roads, while driving and maintaining specialized, heavy duty four-wheel drive vehicles; camping in extremely remote areas for extended periods of time, while developing strong inter-personal communication skills; continuously developing the skill of team building with other Department staff and volunteers; safely operate and work around Heavy Equipment as needed.
The candidate must have the ability to read, comprehend and apply information from Manufacturer's Safety Data Sheets for all applicable materials used. Most of the construction skills necessary to successfully perform in this position are obtained from previous work or life experiences. Although a college degree or college-level courses would benefit a person in this position, especially as they relate to the biological aspect of this position, they are not necessary to perform the duties of a Wildlife Habitat Construction Technician. Successful employees have levels of experience in various construction trades, farming, ranching or from trade schools. Trade skills that are most useful include carpentry, welding, plumbing and concrete finishing. Technicians lacking essential skills can usually learn those skills on the job from others within 2 years. Successful individuals in this position exhibit good communication skills, an appreciation for wildlife and wildlife management in Arizona and the ability to adjust to dynamic work conditions in remote settings.

The ideal candidate will have the following:
 Enjoyment of working outdoors and the ability to camp out for extended periods of time and a genuine interest in hunting, fishing, and/or wildlife management.
 Demonstrated hands-on experience in construction trades, specifically welding techniques, plumbing systems, masonry and concrete work.
 Experience in constructing habitat-specific enhancements, particularly the fabrication of steel rain collection aprons and fiber glassing applications.
 Experience in the safe operation and field maintenance of heavy-duty 4WD vehicles and heavy equipment, with a focus on hauling and transporting materials across rough, remote terrain.
 Proficiency in the effective and safe use of a wide array of pneumatic devices and power tools, ranging from jackhammers and post pounders to gas-powered cutting saws and cement mixers.

 Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
 Position requires OSHA 10/30 certification, Forklift/Telehandler certification and First Aid CPR certification (must obtain within 6 months of hire).
 Position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid State of Arizona Driver's Class A CDL with tanker endorsements (must obtain within 6 months of hire).

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 Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.