Water Resources Manager

The Arizona Game and Fish Department seeks a Water Resources Manager to oversee water rights investigations and support the Department's realty program. Responsibilities include negotiating water rights acquisitions, conducting evaluations, maintaining water rights information, and providing technical support for water use monitoring. The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and requires collaboration with various stakeholders while utilizing GIS mapping skills.
GAME AND FISH DEPT
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.

SENIOR WL SPCT - WATER RESOURCES MANAGER
Job Location:
Address: 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona

Posting Details:
Hiring Salary Range: $48,000 - $80,000
Grade: 22
Closing Date: 04/27/2025

Job Summary:

Under direction of the Land and Water Program Supervisor, the Water Resources Manager will be part of the Department’s realty program, responsible for water rights investigations and research to determine water resource values associated with real property acquisitions of wildlife areas, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries and administrative offices.

Job Duties:

Major duties will include:

- Water rights acquisition, conducting landowner negotiations, coordinating due diligence and feasibility evaluations of water rights, and preparation of documents to acquire water rights

- Conducts water resource investigations of surface and groundwater rights, evaluates proposals for new and existing water uses for fish and wildlife management, perfects water rights and claims, maintains and provides water right information in electronic and hard files

- Provides technical support for the Commission’s water rights and water use monitoring programs

- Requires maintaining and retrieving information spatially, in databases, and in electronic and hardcopy files. Requires the ability to create and use GIS maps.

- Coordinates with other Department work units, outside agencies, private individuals and industry, and uses his or her knowledge of wildlife and habitat in addition to prescribed Department rules and processes to accomplish these tasks

- Maintains and provides water asset information and documentation, attends meetings, hearings, and seminars

- Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

The candidate must have knowledge of state law, rules, and regulations which pertain to surface water and groundwater rights, as well as water use monitoring techniques. The candidate must also have knowledge of realty matters including acquisitions, disposals, leases, easements and rights-of-way and of Arizona State Water Law.

The candidate will be skilled in conducting water right investigations, research techniques, GIS mapping, project management, establishing and maintaining working relationships, oral and written communications, multitasking, organization, basic computer system operation, and data analysis and interpretation.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in wildlife or biological science, geoscience, hydrology, water resources management, or a closely related field.

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).

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 Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
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

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.