ARIZONA STATE PARKS AND TRAILS

Address: 400 Lake Patagonia Road, Patagonia, AZ 85624

Salary: $21.50 - $24.50 / per hour 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: July 16, 2026

This Assistant Manager position serves as the on-site supervisor and operational lead" for San Rafael State Natural Area and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, with Patagonia Lake State Park as the home base and reporting location. Operating under the general supervision of the Patagonia Lake State Park Manger III, this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations, resource stewardship, interpretive programming, and partner relations across two ecologically significant natural areas in the Santa Cruz River watershed. This position also provides supervision and operational support at Patagonia Lake as needed, contributing to the broader success of the cluster. Travel between sites is a regular and expected component of this role.

- San Rafael State Natural Area/Operations and Partner Relations: Manage daily operations at San Rafael State Natural Area, including facility oversight, visitor safety, rule enforcement, maintenance coordination, and resource protection across the native grassland prairie and riparian corridor. Serve as the agency's primary relationship manager for the Friends of San Rafael Valley, approaching that partnership with consistency, cultural awareness, and genuine respect for the community's long history with the land. Coordinate with the Friends group on events, access, shared planning, and stewardship priorities. Represent Arizona State Parks professionally in all community interactions connected to the San Rafael Valley.

- Sonoita Creek State Natural Area/Operations and Resource Stewardship: Manage daily operations at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, a nearly 10,000-acre riparian and upland preserve supporting exceptional biodiversity, including 106 identified bird species, federally listed Gila Top-minnow, and one of the state's highest concentrations of butterfly species. Coordinate patrol, visitor access, primitive camping administration, trail system oversight, and resource monitoring. Ensure the natural area's ecological integrity is protected through operational decisions, visitor education, and ongoing coordination with Patagonia Lake staff on shared infrastructure and entrance fee processing.

- Interpretive Programming and Visitor Engagement: Develop, coordinate, and deliver interpretive programs across San Rafael and Sonoita Creek that connect visitors to the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of each site. Programs may include birding walks and events, grassland and riparian ecology programming, ranch heritage interpretation at San Rafael, and school or community outreach. Evaluate program quality regularly and adapt content to seasonal conditions, audience needs, and partner priorities.

- Community Partnerships, Volunteer Programs, and Friends Group Development: Serve as the primary agency contact for existing partner organizations, including the Friends of San Rafael Valley, while actively building community relationships around Sonoita Creek, including outreach to the Rio Rico area and support for the development of a future Friends of Sonoita Creek. Recruit, coordinate, and recognize volunteers and work crews for trail maintenance, habitat projects, and stewardship programs across both natural areas.

- Patagonia Lake State Park/Operational Support: Provide managerial and operational support at Patagonia Lake State Park as directed by the Park Manager III. This may include supervising staff, assisting with visitor operations during high-use periods, contributing to event planning, and ensuring continuity of service during staffing gaps. This position is stationed at Patagonia Lake and should be a reliable and integrated member of that park's operational team.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge of :
Principles and practices of park operations and resource management; natural area stewardship including riparian and grassland ecosystems; Arizona State Parks policies, procedures, and operational standards; budget monitoring and reporting; partner and community relations management; interpretive program development and delivery; staff supervision, training, and performance management; law enforcement principles and public safety practices; facility maintenance planning; and applicable Arizona administrative rules and statutes.

Skill in:
Verbal and written communication; active listening and relationship-building with diverse partner and community groups; public speaking and interpretive presentation; volunteer recruitment, coordination, and recognition; Friends group cultivation and community outreach; staff supervision and team leadership; project planning and multi-site coordination; budget tracking and reporting; and problem-solving in dynamic, field-based environments.

Ability to:
Manage operations across geographically separate sites with independent judgment and minimal supervision; build and sustain effective working relationships with sensitive and long-established partner groups; navigate community dynamics with cultural awareness and professionalism; lead and develop staff and volunteers; respond to emergencies and visitor incidents per established protocols; and represent Arizona State Parks effectively across a wide range of stakeholder and public interactions.

Two years of experience equivalent to a Park Senior Ranger. A Bachelor's degree in Park Management, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, History, Archaeology, Geology, Ecology, Recreation Planning, or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the Park Senior experience. Any combination of training and experience that meets the KSAs may be substituted.

Must possess and maintain a current, valid Arizona driver's license appropriate to the assignment at time of appointment. Regular travel between San Rafael, Sonoita Creek, and Patagonia Lake is required. CPR/First Aid/AED. EMT and or Law Enforcement Officer preferred.

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 provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
● Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
● Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
● 10 paid holidays per year
● Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
● Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
● Deferred compensation plan
● Wellness plans
● Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year pid leave for newborns or newly placed foster/adopted child.

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

Eligible for Arizona State Retirement System pension. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment for newly hired State of Arizona employees.

Recruitmenthr@azstateparks.gov


The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (480) 604 -7331.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.  

Having trouble applying for this position?
Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.