ASSISTANT PARK MANAGER

Arizona State Government; Arizona; On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Vacation time accrual

Sick time accrual

Deferred compensation plan

Wellness plans

Parental Leave

Job summary

Arizona State Parks and Trails is seeking an Assistant Park Manager for Patagonia Lake State Park in Patagonia, AZ. The role oversees park staff and operations, including boating, marina, campgrounds, and safety programs, ensuring high-quality customer service and exceptional park management.

The position requires supervising a diverse team, coordinating emergency responses, and delivering training to staff on customer service and park operations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of outdoor recreation and park management.
• Understanding of safety, security, sanitation and public relations procedures.
• Familiarity with park safety information and emergency response procedures.
• Experience supervising employees and volunteers in a public setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation of Patagonia Lake State Park areas including marina, campground, and day-use spaces.
• Supervise staff such as Park Rangers; handle staffing, scheduling, and performance reviews.
• Coordinate with Park Manager on safety, customer service and park operations.

Skills

Park management

Staff supervision

Emergency response

Customer service

Communication

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

ARIZONA STATE PARKS AND TRAILS

Why join us?

At Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT), we look after 33 beautiful state parks, historical buildings, and over 64,000 acres of Arizona’s best landscapes. Our mission is all about connecting people with the outdoors and our state's incredible history to help them build memories that last a lifetime.

Why you'll love working here:

• Be a part of a highly engaged team that enjoys this work, believes in the mission, and has the support, tools, and an open and accepting environment where they can do their best.
• Professional growth and development through an active learning culture with opportunities like First Aid and Certified Interpretive Guide certifications, and cross-park learning programs that allow employees to grow their skill set and learn about operations across the agency.
• Supportive leadership that encourages collaboration, idea sharing, and problem solving. Our team has meaningful input into the agency's direction.
• Recognition programs encourage innovation and acknowledge hard work through monetary rewards and peer-to-peer appreciation.

ASSISTANT PARK MANAGER PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK "HOUSING INCLUDED"

Job Location:

Address: 400 Patagonia Lake Road, Patagonia, AZ 85624

Posting Details:

Salary: $21.50 - $24.50 / per hour

Grade: 18

Closing Date: August 27, 2026

Job Summary:

Provides leadership and support to park staff at Patagonia Lake State Park, a diversified recreational park centered on a lake, marina, and boating operations. Supervises, assigns, and reviews the work of Park Rangers and other staff across the park's campground, beach, day-use areas, boat ramps, marina, and trails, and provides policy input on safety, customer service, public park operations, and staffing. Coordinates daily activities and staffing, resolves staff and customer issues, coordinates emergency and first-responder efforts, and reports to the Park Manager on park functions and activities. Typically does not spend more than 20% of time performing the work supervised.

A Day In The Life:

• Serves as Assistant Park Manager overseeing public use of all areas of the park, including direct supervision of all Park Rangers; resolves staff and customer issues, coordinates emergency and first-responder efforts, and reports to the Park Manager on park functions and activities.
• Directly supervises appointed staff and assists with administrative and supervisory responsibilities, including hiring, disciplinary actions, staff scheduling, directing staff meeting agendas, performance reviews, one-on-ones, and AMS-related improvement and reporting activities.
• Oversees lake, marina, and boating operations, including boat ramp and day-use area management, watercraft-based patrols, water-safety enforcement, and public-use rules; coordinates with marina and concession operations as needed.
• Develops and delivers training and standards for customer service, park safety, and park operations; provides guidance on complex customer issues and resolves escalated complaints or disputes.
• Coordinates with the Park Manager to balance daily staffing allocation for facility-wide needs (park safety, light janitorial, custodial, and maintenance) and tasks such as trash removal and minor repairs; provides policy input on safety, customer service, and operations.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Your Competencies and Skills (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Outdoor recreation and park management.
• Complex safety, security, sanitation, operation-maintenance, and public relations procedures and practices.
• Park safety and education information.
• Security matters, state laws, department policies, facility operational standards, and emergency response procedures.
• Facility procedures.
• Supervising employees, volunteers, and special assignment personnel.
• Employee public health and public relations tasks.
• Fees and revenue functions, general office procedures, and outdoor parks and recreation.
• May require Arizona Revised Statutes and law enforcement techniques.

Skill in:

• Using logic and reasoning to identify alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Understanding and using various communication styles.
• Building professional relationships and collaborating with other work groups or organizations.
• Public speaking and presenting to groups of various sizes.
• Problem solving using AMS techniques.

Ability to:

• Supervise and maintain an efficient team environment with adequate staffing.
• Communicate concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise good judgment while working under pressure during emergencies.
• Apply management and supervision principles and techniques; interpret policy.
• Use deductive reasoning to apply general rules to specific problems.
• Work independently and serve as an effective management team member, conveying management direction to staff.
• Resolve conflicts and issues with customers and staff.
• Interact effectively with a wide variety of customers and meet their needs.
• Develop and teach training curriculum for customer service, park safety, and park operations.

What sets you apart:

• Three years of supervisory experience and three years of experience in park operations, public programs, public events, and customer service.
• Depending on assignment, may be required to obtain a commercial driver's license, Certified Interpretive Guide, Boat Operator, or Certified in Special Tools certification. For this lake and marina assignment, Boat Operator certification is preferred.

What We Need From You:

• Any combination of training and experience that meets the KSAs, typically including a relevant degree from an accredited college or university plus related coursework and work experience.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license.
• Must be 18 years of age or older. If needed in the position, ability to obtain EMT and/or Water/Wastewater Management certification.

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 Perks:

• 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

Retirement:

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

Ready to make a difference?

Contact us at [e-mail]

If you're ready for a meaningful career caring for Arizona's parks and helping people connect with nature, we want to hear from you.

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.