Put Your Passion for the Outdoors & Wildlife To Work
Gain hands on practical work experience while working with a diverse group of professionals in the fields of wildlife science, biological science, wildlife management, and many other professions within the Department.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department offers paid summer internship opportunities in cooperation with participating college and universities. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in gaining hands on practical work experience while working with a diverse group of professionals in the fields of wildlife science, biological science, wildlife management, and many other professions within the Department.
The application period for 2025 Summer Internships is now open! Please click the PDF attachment below for a listing of the opportunities available!
2025 Summer Intern Job Descriptions
internship program
- Hourly rate $16.50 (eff. 1/4/25)
- Project start date: May 12, 2025
- Application period ends Jan. 26, 2025
About the department
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission, whose five members are appointed by the governor, are responsible for establishing policies and rules for the management, preservation, and harvest of Arizona’s wildlife. The Arizona Game & Fish Department is responsible for managing Arizona’s fish and wildlife resource as an enduring public trust. In addition, the department is charged with promoting safe and responsible use of watercraft and off-highway vehicles. Funding is provided from the sale of licenses and permits; watercraft registration fees; federal excise taxes on firearms, fishing equipment, boats, and other sporting goods; state lottery revenues; donations on state income tax forms; and various contracts and grants.
what you need to apply
View the available internship opportunities on the site internship site, www.azgfd.com/agency/internships.
Identify up to five internships that you have the most interest in, by Lead name.
Applications must be submitted through the site by the close date and time.
Eligible students interested in summer employment must apply through www.azstatejobs.gov. Click “Current Openings” and select “Game and Fish Department” from the Department dropdown. Below is what you will need to submit with your application:
- Cover Letter & Transcript – List internship preference order, listed by the hiring supervisor name. Students may identify up to five internships that they have the most interest in. An unofficial (transcript) copy of your school transcripts is required. The transcript shall include the student’s full name, name of school, current GPA, and degree program. An official transcript may be required prior to appointment.
- Resume – Must include:
1. List internship preference by the hiring supervisor name
2. Contact information
3. Work/volunteer experience, if applicable, including job title, dates, and summary of job duties/responsibilities
4. A minimum of three professional references. - Applications must be submitted through the site no later than the close date.
A copy of your transcript will be required prior to your appointment.
eligibility
Currently enrolled in curriculum leading towards a Bachelor’s or higher level degree on a full time basis (usually 12 semester hours) and pursuing a major in Wildlife Biology or closely related field applicable to the internship opportunity (subject to verification).
Recent grads up to within 1 year can apply.
contacts
For additional information on the internship program, contact Milani Barron, Staffing Manager at 623 236-7319 mbarron@azgfd.gov, or Amy Lacy, Staffing Analyst at 623 236-7323 alacy@azgfd.gov
Internship Guidelines and Past Job Duties
internship guidelines
The Arizona Game and Fish Department offers paid summer internship opportunities to current students, graduate and undergraduate. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in gaining hands on practical work experience while working with a diverse group of professionals in the fields of wildlife science, biological science, wildlife management, and many other professions within the Department.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking students to work during the summer to perform duties in the area of wildlife management. Students will perform duties under close supervision. Duties may include: collecting data, tracking, monitoring and counting animals, computer entry, developing educational materials, conducting creel surveys, fish sampling, habitat measurement, fish stocking, hiking, camping, swimming or working varied hours. Fieldwork may involve long days outdoors in extreme temperatures.
Student interns are hired on a temporary basis and paid an hourly rate of $16.50 (effective 1/4/25). Interns are not benefit eligible and work at the discretion of the appointing authority. Interns may be employed through their approved assignment or the department determines that the work is no longer required. Assignments are typically full-time (unless indicated by hiring supervisor) and generally last between 8 to 12 weeks.
examples of past internship job duties
2024 Summer Internship Opportunities
- Desert tortoise telemetry
- Radio tracking and collecting pronghorn antelope field data (activity patterns, food habits, predator scat, and aerial location) of marked pronghorn
- Conducting habitat assessments at squirrel use sites as part of a habitat selection study
- Creel census and lake & stream survey
- Learning skill in electro fishing, and gill netting
- Assisting with lake limnological surveys
- ArcView mapping
- GPS data acquisition
- Assisting hatchery operations; feed and care for live fish; stock fish in lakes
This is just a small sample of the many diverse internship projects available!
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