GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

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.

Budget Control Development Specialist III

Job Location:

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / BUSINESS ACCOUNTING BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
5000 W. Carefree Hwy. Phoenix, AZ 85086

Posting Details:

Salary: $26.44 - 32.21/hr 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 3/13/2026

Job Summary:

BUDGET CONTROL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 3
“Budget Control Development Specialist III”
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION / BUSINESS ACCOUNTING BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA- Non-Exempt / SALARY GRADE 21 / HIRING RANGE $26.44 - $32.21/hr

Are you a financial strategist with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for public service? We are looking for a Budget Control Development Specialist III (BCDS III) to join our team and play a pivotal role in managing the fiscal health of our agency. In this role, you won't just be "balancing books"—you will be the architect of our financial integrity. From overseeing grants to collaborating with executive leadership on annual budget requests, your work will ensure that our mission remains fully funded and compliant.

Why This Role Matters
As the Budget Control Development Specialist III, you are the bridge between complex financial data and actionable strategy. You will:
• Drive Strategic Growth: Partner with the Budget Supervisor and Executive Management to develop annual budget submissions for OSPB and JLBC.
• Master Compliance: Take the lead on reports, ensuring every dollar is tracked, reconciled, and optimized.
• Ensure Fiscal Precision: Manage allotments, monitor expenditures, and oversee FTE budget controls to keep our operations running smoothly.

What You’ll Do
• Analyze & Optimize: Review and reconcile financial reports, identifying trends and correcting inconsistencies to maintain a source of truth for our finances.
• Budget Development: Navigate the full budget cycle, from loading data into state automated systems to securing executive approvals for major agreements.
• Forecasting: Conduct comprehensive financial analysis and cash flow interpretations to help executive leadership make informed, high-stakes decisions.

Who You Are
• A Financial Professional: You have a deep understanding of state accounting systems, federal and state regulations, and legislative budget processes.
• A Problem Solver: You enjoy diving into statutes, rule books, and codes to find the "why" behind the numbers.
• A Clear Communicator: You can translate complex financial data into clear narratives for non-financial stakeholders.
• Detail-Oriented: You take pride in technical accuracy and the integrity of your data.

Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are looking for a career where your financial expertise directly supports the public good, we want to hear from you! Join a team that values professional growth, collaborative spirit, and fiscal excellence.

Job Duties:

This position manages key budgeting and financial operation, including budget development, fiscal accountability and program compliance. The role evaluates, monitors and prepares budgets and financial reports for federal and non-federal agreements, secures budget approvals through executive management and supports in development of the agency's annual budget request to OSPB and JLBC.

Major duties include:
• Review, reconcile, and prepare financial reports from automated accounting systems to track revenue and expenditures for the Federal and Non-federal Agreements. Analyze account costs and variables, summarize activities for specific time periods, identify and correct inconsistencies or errors.

• Develop, review, adjust and obtain budget approval through Executive Management of the Agency's annual budget submissions to the AGFD Commission and OSPB/JLBC. Ensure timely completion of the budget cycle.

• Assist with budget decisions, program changes and status at the job/project/fund level. Conduct comprehensive financial analysis, forecasting, and interpretation of data.

• Compare financial data from numerous sources to assure technical accuracy and specifications of budgets and expenditures. Gather data from various manuals, statutes, rule books, codes and regulations to help make determinations and decisions.

• Receive budget requests, establish allotments and monitor expenditures to ensure allocations are not exceeded. Load Agency budget on state accounting systems. Adjust funds and process budget transfers according to applicable State and Agency guidelines.

• Prepare quarterly/annual 425’s according to federal and state guidelines. Ensure revenue for indirect is moved between appropriate funds. Grant draw downs, assist with Financial and Procurement system errors.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

The candidate must have knowledge in/of: budget principles, including a thorough understanding of State laws, rules, regulations, policies and practices relating to budget development, appropriations legislation, and policies of the current State administration; principles, concepts and practices in government organization, budgeting and fiscal control; processes of State government, including legislative and administrative processes, and their underlying principles and concepts; financial reporting, including interpreting State of Arizona's financial reports and schedules; the Code of Federal Regulations and OMB Circulars.

Candidates will be skilled in: performing work management and work leadership, analysis and evaluation of budget requests and recommendations, and of factors and items therein; interpersonal relations as applied to interaction with legislators and representative of the Governor's Office, members of the Game and Fish Commission and Department Executive, Management, and Program Staff, state agencies and other organizations; analysis, interpretation and evaluation of financial data to render professional opinion on budget requests and recommendations; directing, training, and reviewing the work of others; oral and written communication; software applications, including Microsoft Office.

The candidate must have the ability to: accurately forecast revenue and expenditure needs; generate, read and interpret financial data, budget requests and recommendations; manage demanding workload and prioritize and organize tasks; form working relationships with people, policy makers, and organizations; work independently under general direction and make sound judgments and decisions; effectively communicate orally and in writing; establish goals and objectives; remain focused during high pressure working conditions.

Selective Preference(s):

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree (finance, accounting, economics, business, public administration or equivalent work experience on a year-for-year basis) AND two years of comparable experience. The preferred candidate will have knowledge of grants, automated accounting systems and budget/financial planning principals.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

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 State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

*13 days of vacation
*12 sick days with accumulation benefits
*10 paid holidays
*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

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Nicole Baker at nbaker@azgfd.gov for assistance.