couesdog Report post Posted July 13, 2005 Diamondbackaz, How do you know that they have hundreds of people put in for one position? I think that is how it used to be. I have a close friend who is a wildlife manager that has about 5 years on and makes around 30k. His wife is the main bread winner in the family and she only works part time. He told me that recently they have had positions go unfilled because there were not enough qualified applicants. That's sad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted July 13, 2005 I haven't ask anyone in the department lately, but I will when I have an opportunity to do so. I researched this years ago because I considered going into the field myself. The main reason why I didn't because it was difficult to find employment because of the competitivness. I will say that I have not seen anything on the G&F web site indicating a problem with filling positons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatfootdoc Report post Posted July 13, 2005 The pay scale for wardens not only sucks in AZ, but also in NM, I was talking to a warden during turkey season and he said that the starting salary in NM was around 27000. I have a good friend who worked for game and fish for several years in AZ and went to Oregon to work as a warden because his 1st year salary was going to be what his boss (25 years in position) made and his 2nd year salary was going to be about 8000 dollars more. They are way underpaid but where does the funding come from(from the tag price increases I think it is the non resident hunters! ). AG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rugerman Report post Posted July 13, 2005 I too am a teacher(11 years) and feel we are well compensated with the benefits, retirement and time off. I believe AZGFD is underpaid for the risks and expertise that their jobs require. It looks like they are gonna have to start rounding up illegals too since the feds won't do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couesi1 Report post Posted July 14, 2005 Diamondback Az, Doesn't matter, the information I read was incorrect, and I'll stand by that too. You are correct, they all got in the game knowing what it pays, and yes, there are a lot of cool perks. However as I stated, you can't pay the bills with perks, although most of them scrape by. The married guys with wives with good jobs are a whole lot better off. Until about the late nineties it was almost impossible to get hired on as a Wildlife Manager. Since then it has been difficult to find enough qualified applicants to keep the roster of districts full. To make things worse, many long-tenured officers have left for other police agencies just to make ends meet a little better. Bottom line is, most of these folks will hang on and finish their careers, but they certainly deserve more. C-1 P.S. Couesdog, Rembrandt et al., thanks for your apparent support for these people, they do and always will appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted July 14, 2005 Cousi1, I can't say what type of shortages there are other than the job openings listed on the state employment site. I have not heard read anywhere that there is a shortage of applicants for this area. If you feel obliged to take this on, then start lobbying for a increase in license and tag fees. As I see it, this is the only way to get pay increases for the wardens. Just be ready for people to resist this including people on this site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couesi1 Report post Posted July 18, 2005 The increase in license fees is already done....it passed the house and legislature and was signed by the governer. (senate bill 1365). With support from constituents, which includes the folks who use this website, there is a possibility that some game and fish employees (including game wardens) can get a well-deserved and overdue pay raise in the future. I'll support 'em. I hope others will too. c-1 P.S. good luck to all in the draw - won't be long now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
