Address:  5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Salary Range: $77,958 - $141,454 

Grade: 28

Closing Date: 05/17/2026

DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR SENIOR
"Shooting Sports Branch Chief"
INFO, EDUCATION & RECREATION DIVISION / SHOOTING SPORTS BRANCH / PHOENIX, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / GRADE 28 / SALARY RANGE $77,958 - $141,454
CLOSING DATE: 05/17/2026

The Shooting Sports Branch Chief works under the general direction of the Assistant Director, Information, Education and Recreation Division (IERD) and is responsible and accountable for managing a Department Branch, including its personnel, budget, and resources.

The Shooting Sports Branch Chief develops and administers the Department's Shooting Sports line of business which includes a wide range of shooting range and hunting/shooting sports related activities. Specifically, this position is responsible for an annual operating budget of $2.5 million in addition to $3.5 million or more in revenues generated from range program and non-program sales. The position will act as the Department's administrative chief on shooting range and shooting sports programs and activities, including oversight of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the country. The Branch Chief also oversees the Statewide Shooting Range program, which consists of 9 Commissioned-owned ranges operated by licensees, the shooting range development grant program, and acquisition of any future ranges. The position develops, reviews and manages the Department's Strategic plan's shooting sports line of business and the Ben Avery Business plan, along with developing long and short-term goals and annual operating plans. The Shooting Sports Branch Chief directly supervises the Ben Avery Operations Manager and the Statewide Shooting Range Administrator and indirectly supervises 37 full and 12 part time positions including shooting range managers, supervisors, range masters, customer service representatives, range assistants, and a cadre of volunteers. The position serves as the liaison and lead coordinator for various constituent groups, national organizations and external partners, is responsible for implementation and oversight of the Ben Avery Master Plan and other statewide shooting range plans of development. The position will hire, supervise, mentor and coach staff along with managing employee engagement strategies and personnel issues and situations, respond to inquiries, develop and submit annual performance reports, develop and manage annual budgets, ensure staff are provided adequate range safety and customer service, policy and procedures and other required training.

Major duties may include:

- Providing oversight and support of the Statewide Shooting Range program, shooting range development grant program, and license agreements associated with operating the Commission-owned ranges.

- Directly and indirectly supervising 51 full and part time employees including coaching, mentoring, conducting 1:1s, team huddles, implementing employee engagement strategies, completing recruiting and hiring processes, and addressing employee relation issues.

- Planning, developing, reviewing and managing the Department’s Strategic Plans for shooting sports lines of business including long and short term goals, annual operating plans, and annual performance reports.

- Planning, developing, and providing oversight, support and management of branch budgets and business operational expenses, including prioritizing development, improvement and maintenance projects.

- Performing other duties as assigned.

Strong knowledge of effective administration and business management, including budget administration and management, Arizona Management System and effective implementation of key elements: including shooting range development and best management practices, Shooting sports, firearms safety /education programs, State and Federal laws, Commission rules, Department policies, and effective leadership and management methods.

The candidate must be skilled in program development and management with the ability to analyze and forecast short and long-range resource needs. The candidate will have experience in personnel management, supervision, mentoring, delegation, conflict resolution, critical thinking, negotiation, public relations and procurement. The candidate must have strong skills in oral and written communications with the ability to communicate clearly and consistently.

The preferred candidate will have a BS degree in business or public administration or business or recreation management. Equivalent experience gained through at least five years of management-level experience, 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.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and 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 or 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).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

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

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.