Law Enforcement Branch Chief
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / LAW ENFORCEMENT BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
5000 W. Carefree Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85086
Salary: $77,958 - $144,545
Grade: 28
Closing Date: 8/23/2026
AGENCY INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT - MUST BE CURRENT AZGFD EMPLOYEE
Division Administrator Senior
“Law Enforcement Branch Chief”
FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION / LAW ENFORCEMENT BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 28 / HIRING SALARY RANGE: $77,958 - $144,545
We are seeking an experienced internal candidate to step into the role of Law Enforcement Branch Chief, bridging frontline expertise with senior leadership. This promotional opportunity is ideal for a current team member who already possesses strong leadership experience within our Department and a comprehensive understanding of our law enforcement operations. In this role, you will leverage your institutional knowledge to direct branch activities, oversee strategic planning, develop policy standards, and guide personnel growth. By stepping up to manage branch personnel and program managers through coaching and mentorship, you will champion excellence while serving as a primary liaison with other jurisdictions, the public, and the media.
Your background in our wildlife, watercraft, and OHV law enforcement programs will be vital to resolving high-level operational challenges and advancing our conservation mission. Because you already understand our regulatory framework, you will provide strategic-level expertise to internal and external stakeholders while collaborating with leadership to enhance department protocols and safety procedures. If you are ready to apply your internal expertise toward managing budget requests, overseeing covert investigation projects, and shaping policy for the branch, we highly encourage you to submit your application today!
Supervises, directs and controls the activities of subordinate branch personnel and staff program managers including law enforcement officers. Prepares, writes and reviews strategic and operational plans for the Arizona’s Wildlife, Watercraft and OHV Law Enforcement Programs. Oversees the administration of the Department's Communication Center and statewide mobile, portable and network resources. Researches and writes policies, procedures and operating standards for the Department's statewide law enforcement program. Serves as primary liaison and Department representative with other jurisdictions, general public, legislatures, and the media on all law enforcement matters. Recommends, addresses and counsels Assistant Director, Director’s Office, Commission and other Department personnel on law enforcement matters. Reads, analyzes and reviews/writes summaries for case reports for submission to the Commission. Orally presents cases to the Commission at their monthly meeting. Responds in writing and orally to inquiries from the general public, other law enforcement agencies and other Department personnel regarding law enforcement matters. Reads and analyzes new case law, legislation and court decisions and determines their impact upon the Department’s law enforcement program. Participates in field law enforcement activities such as patrols in order to evaluate effectiveness of law enforcement programs and maintain field presence. Monitors, directs and evaluates and approves budget requests from staff and program managers. Chairs and serves on law enforcement related committees as the Department representative. Evaluates, and authorizes if appropriate, all requests for covert investigation project funding. Approves if the project proposal meets statutory guidelines, is consistent with the Department’s Mission, and is in the best interest of the State.
Major duties include:
• Supervise, direct, schedule, control, monitor and evaluate the activities of subordinate branch personnel and staff program managers including Phoenix based officers, and the Communication Center.
• Prepare and write strategic and operational plans for the Department’s Law Enforcement Program. Write budget requests for the branch; and analyze, evaluate and approve budget requests from staff or program managers. Evaluate, and authorize if appropriate, all requests for covert investigations project funding.
• Research and write policies, procedures and operating standards for the Department's statewide law enforcement program. Respond in writing and orally to inquiries from the general public, other law enforcement agencies and Department personnel regarding law enforcement matters.
• Serve as primary liaison and Department representative with other jurisdictions, general public and the media on law enforcement matters. Chair and serve on law enforcement related committees & boards as the Department representative.
• Recommend, address and counsel the Field Operations Division’s Assistant Director, Director’s office, Commission and other Department personnel on law enforcement matters.
• Read, analyze and write summaries for case reports for submission to the Commission. Orally present these cases to the Commission at their monthly meeting.
• Serves as the head physical security liaison for the Headquarters and Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Works with Risk Management to establish and edit Department, state and federal emergency procedures and protocols.
• Read and analyze new case law, legislation and court decisions, and determine their impact upon the Department law enforcement program, and present information to the legislature when necessary. Proofread all Department draft brochures, pamphlets and handouts that deal with statutes or rules for possible technical errors and legal correctness and applicability.
• Participate in field law enforcement activities such as patrols in order to evaluate effectiveness of law enforcement programs and maintain field presence.
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
| Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): |
The ideal candidate must have knowledge in/of: wildlife management, law enforcement, and conservation policies, procedures, programs, practices; principles and philosophy; off-highway vehicle, environmental, other criminal law enforcement; watercraft law enforcement and education; program development, management and analysis; personnel management, supervision, motivation, leadership, evaluation and discipline; manual and computerized information system management; and public relations strategies; criminal and judicial laws, rules and procedures; civil procedures as they apply to Commission actions; legislative and court processes and procedures; search and seizure principles; court decisions, case law and constitutional law; Commission and Department mission, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, structure and function; responsibilities of pertinent state and federal agencies and private organizations; state and federal contracting, procurement, personnel administrative and rulemaking practices, policies and procedures; and radio and police communications and dispatching equipment and procedures.
The idea candidate must be skilled in: being able to recognize and forecast short and long range resource needs and pressures, and being able to do appropriate planning; data and program evaluation and analysis; being able to conceptualize, create, develop, advocate, interpret and implement policies, programs, laws, rules, procedures and guidelines; wildlife, natural resource and law enforcement program and personnel management and administration; being able to construct, interpret and apply state and federal criminal, juvenile, liquor, off-highway vehicle, environmental, watercraft, and wildlife laws, regulations and rules; oral and written communications at professional, technical and popular levels; leadership; being able to promote harmony with and among work units and outside cooperators; audience and constituency identification, public relations, media management; being able to build consensus, and resolve and negotiate conflict; being able to function simultaneously as a staff officer (task orientation) and work unit and program supervisor (function orientation); being able to keep current and adapt to rapidly changing dogma, legalities, social pressures, resource constituency and law enforcement needs and issues in the areas of law enforcement, boating safety and environmental protection; being able to handle chronic controversy, crisis management and other work related issues; all aspects of law enforcement including, but not limited to, uniformed patrol, covert and over investigations, surveillance and interrogation techniques.
The candidate must have the ability to: manage time and stress effectively in high-pressure environments; resolve complex conflicts and conduct thorough complaint investigations; conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive leadership feedback; develop operational schedules, manage budgets, and organize branch activities; supervise, mentor, and foster the professional development of personnel; identify critical tasks and build cohesive, high-performing teams; apply advanced problem-solving techniques to personnel and operational challenges; demonstrate strong leadership and maintain positive public relations; integrate wildlife management principles within regulatory and law enforcement frameworks; communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing; address complex issues involving natural resources, public administration, and law enforcement.
An ideal candidate will have extensive experience in wildlife management, law enforcement, administration and leadership.
| Pre-Employment Requirements: |
The position requires a minimum of a four-year degree in Wildlife Management or a closely related field; minimum of two years professional experience in natural resource management or enforcement. The candidate must have a valid AZ POST peace officer certification. Possession of and ability to maintain valid Arizona driver's license appropriate to assignment.
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 Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).
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.
