GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

Address:  4044 West Black Canyon Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Hiring salary range: $70,000 - $95,000 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: 07/12/2026

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
“Ben Avery Shooting Facility Operations Manager”
INFORMATION EDUCATION & RECREATION DIV / SHOOTING SPORTS BRANCH
BEN AVERY MAIN RANGE/ I-17 and CAREFREE HIGHWAY
FLSA- Exempt / SALARY GRADE 25 / Hiring range $70,000 - $95,000
CLOSING DATE: 07/12/2026

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is one of the largest publicly operated shooting facilities in the country. Our world-class shooting range is a City of Phoenix Point of Pride and has received a Five Star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges. Located on 1,650 acres in north Phoenix, the Ben Avery Shooting Facility averages more than 240,000 shooters per year. The facility offers a fun and safe environment for shooters of all experience levels and strives to provide a quality recreation experience for all users.

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to provide overall, hands-on management of the entire facility. The Operations Manager will oversee the daily administration, safety, and staff across three major sub-facilities:
- Ben Avery Archery Range
- Clay Target Center
- Rifle and Pistol Range

Key Responsibilities
Facility Management: Direct overall daily operations, maintenance, and guest services across the Archery, Clay Target, and Rifle/Pistol areas.
Safety & Compliance: Ensure all ranges adhere to the highest standards of safety, enforcing strict protocols for shooters of all experience levels.
Staff Leadership: Recruit, train, and manage range safety officers, guest service staff, and maintenance personnel.
Event Coordination: Oversee the hosting of recreational events, hunter education programs, and competitive matches.
Public Relations: Ensure all users receive a world-class, quality recreation experience.

Working Conditions & Schedule
Environment: Frequently noisy environment.
Weather: Must be willing and able to work in extreme heat, cold, wind, and rain.
Schedule: Highly variable; work schedule will consist of mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Qualifications & Requirements
- Extensive experience in facilities or sports venue operations (shooting sports or outdoor recreation management highly preferred).
- Demonstrated ability to manage a large, multi-faceted public recreation site.
- Strong leadership, public relations, and safety compliance background.
- Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card and the completion of baseline blood lead and zinc level testing and a baseline hearing test, all of which will be conducted at hire and on an annual basis.

Major responsibilities include:

- Responsible for the management of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility including the annual planning, development, revisions and implementation of the Ben Avery Business Plan. Plan and prioritize improvement project budgets and implement Department construction processes.
- Conducts all processes directly related to supervision of the Clay Target Center Manager, the Rifle and Pistol Range Manager, the Office Manager, Customer Service Manager and Facility Maintenance Specialist includes hiring, coaching, 1:1s, etc. and all those indirectly related to supervising and managing a staff of a minimum of 37 full time, and 12 part time seasonal; range masters, customer service representatives and range supervisors.
- Responsible for budget development, planning, oversight and management that consists of over $3M in program income and an additional $1 - $2M in Federal grant dollars to operate and maintain the facility.
- Provides assistance in the coordination and management of the Facility's volunteer program, over 175 user groups, contractors and vendors building strong relationships for continued shooting sports growth
- Serves as the designated steward for the identified Commission owned or managed property. Conducts annual property inspections using the Department standardized criteria, identifies and documents hazards and liability and other issues associated with the property, and develops and implements appropriate and necessary mitigation actions working with appropriate branch chiefs, regional managers and the Department's Risk Management and Engineering Sections as needed. Maintains and submits inspection and project records as required. Completes all required property steward training.

The candidate will have knowledge of and/or in: Effective administration and business management, Budget administration and management, Arizona Management System and effective implementation of key elements, Shooting range development and best management practices, Shooting sports, hunter education and firearms safety /education programs, State and Federal laws, Commission rules, Department policies, Effective leadership and management methods

The candidate must be skilled in: Budget administration, Effective employee supervision, management and development, Building relationships with a wide range of customers, including user groups, contractors, vendors and advertiser/sponsors, Strong and effective verbal, written and listening skills, Exceptional customer service techniques and relations, Critical thinking

Candidates must have the ability to: Lead, coach, and mentor staff, Communicate effectively with all levels of employees, management and customers, Identify risk, building repairs and maintenance, landscaping needs, Work cooperatively and collaboratively to establish and maintain professional relationships and resolve internal and external conflicts, Establish priorities and effectively delegate responsibilities

The preferred candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or business or recreation management. Equivalent experience gained through at least 5 years of supervisory and management, budget administration, and program management working in a public sector environment may substitute for the degree. Experience in shooting range management, operations and development, hunting and shooting sports related activities and outdoor recreation management is a plus.

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

Employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card and the completion of baseline blood lead and zinc level testing and a baseline hearing test, all of which will be conducted at hire and on an annual basis.

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 Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency.